Bluegill Ice Fishing 101

By Jeff Matura

Summary: Ice fishing for bluegill is a great way to avoid cabin fever in the winter and can also fill your frying pan with delicious fillets. Excitingly easy to catch, they are ideal for beginners but equally fun for experienced anglers. There is no shortage of good bluegill spots in Iowa, and they are excellent eating.

Before heading out be sure to dress for the cold weather. Even the best fishing will be ruined if you are uncomfortably cold. Dressing in several layers of clothing will most often keep you warmer than one thick garment. Layers can also be taken off and put back on again if you're going in and out of a warm ice shanty. Don't forget to wear a pair of very warm gloves, hat, socks, and good boots to help prevent your extremities from becoming cold. I have always been very satisfied with wool garments. When purchasing wool clothing be sure to check the tag to make sure the garment is at least 85% wool.

Ice fishing gear varies from very simple to complicated. Basic gear includes: ice auger, ice dipper, rods, lures, bobbers, bait, and a sled or bucket to carry gear and fish to and from the fishing spot. An ice fishing shanty can really make the trip more comfortable and almost a necessity for kids or when windy. A simple shelter may be just a piece of plywood to block the wind. A flasher or lcd graph can also help you locate fish very quickly.

A basic ice fishing rod for bluegills is very short and made of fiberglass. A regular floating bobber can be used but a spring bobber is best for deeper water. Selecting to heavy of fishing line is a common mistake. 2-pound-test monofilament fishing line is more than enough. Since it is legal to use two baits, it's best to have at least two, but several tipped with different lures are nice and handy. Small open face spinning reels work well, but homemade ones made from a rod tip and dowel with pegs to hold line are more than adequate. Lures should be small and brightly colored, with green and red the most popular colors. Live bait is a necessity for ice fishing. Waxworms, mealworms, mousies, corn borer larvae, and goldenrod grubs are all good baits.

Ice fish for bluegills on lakes, farm ponds, or river backwaters in the same places where you caught fish in late fall. Best ice fishing often occurs just after freeze-up. Fish are found in water of moderate depths and often are near weed beds. they move into deeper water as the winter progresses. A newcomer to ice fishing can locate the best spots by looking for a congregation of fishermen over traditional hotspots. Don't fish unproductive areas longer than 15 minutes; move frequently to find concentrations. Bluegills are tightly schooled during winter months.

Big bluegill tend to hang close to the bottom in winter and bite ever-so lightly. You must watch your float closely for bites. Often the float will rise and lie on its side as a fish picks up your bait. Set the hook immediately and pull the fish to the surface.

The best time to catch bluegills through the ice is in the early morning and dusk, so don't be lazy this winter, set that alarm clock and get on the ice!