Once safe ice has formed, the time to fish is immediately

The early-ice period, shortly after freeze-up, is one of the most productive fishing times of the winter season. Green weeds are still producing oxygen, fish have ample food, and the thin ice makes it easy to drill a lot of holes quickly to find fish.

I used to mostly put my fishing rods away as soon as the early goose season opened in September. But each year, I fish more and more during the fall because the fishing is just that good. If you’ve spent much time fishing after the lakes turn over in fall, you probably have a good idea where fish will be once ice forms on the waters you fish. Even if you don’t, it’s usually not hard to find early-ice fish.

Shallow waters freeze first, if you’re champing at the ice-fishing bit, ponds and shallow lakes are obviously good bets, as are the shallow bays of bigger lakes, provided the access is located in that bay. Avoid areas that are exposed to westerly or northern winds, which could destroy ice as quickly as it forms.

River backwaters are another favorite because they freeze early and often harbor good numbers of panfish and pike. I even used to regularly fish a 3-foot-deep cove that was dug to create more surface area – and thus sell more ritzy lake homes – on a lake that had water over 100 feet deep. The main lake often didn’t freeze until January, but the cove was usually frozen by late November, and it was loaded with perch and pike.

No matter where you go, think shallow and avoid areas with current, such as river channels or beneath bridges.

An obvious consideration at this time of year is the importance of safety, especially on first ice. I like to get out early as much as the next guy, if not more.

But I don’t feel comfortable until there’s 4 inches of solid ice under me. Even then, it’s paramount to bring along a spud bar and whack the ice every few steps. If it punches through in one swing, you’re either Hercules or you’ve got thin ice ahead.

Backtrack quickly, because you know the ice behind you already held you once.

MORE ICE FISHING COVERAGE FROM OUTDOOR NEWS:

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Ice cleats are also an excellent idea, because early ice often means no snow cover and the going will be slippery. Carry ice picks around your neck, where they are easily accessible, and bring a rope, just in case. And fishing with a friend is always a good idea.

A plan of attack

My early-ice plan is pretty simple: Fish a small water body that freezes quickly and stay over shallow water. I fish green weeds in 10 feet of water or less – often in only 3 or 4 feet of water. These areas harbor fish in late fall, and the fish will still be there when ice forms.

Fishing these weed flats is simple, and you don’t need much gear. I bring safety gear, an auger, a rod and reel or two, and a small tackle box – all stored inside my flip-over shack. In 5 feet of clear water, electronics aren’t really even necessary, because once in the shack, I can usually see my lure and any fish that investigate.

I’m a little choosy about where I set up. If there are patches of snow or opaque ice, I like to set up there to stay hidden from fish, which may be mere feet away. Plus, if there’s snow, you get better traction than you do on glare ice.

With just a few inches of ice, it’s a breeze to pop a lot of holes to find the fish, even with a hand auger or spud bar. The downside is in such shallow water, you may spook fish.

So, pop your holes, then come back later to fish them so there’s less commotion on the ice, and avoid making noise on the ice while you fish. Setting tip-ups away from your base camp can improve your chances of success if fish are spooky.

Best of all during early ice, fish are usually aggressive when plants are still photosynthesizing, as compared to the sluggish fish of February. In December, even a mediocre angler like myself can look like a hero!

I like the simplicity of early ice. Just get in the weeds, hop around a bit, and catch some fish. Get after them early when they can still find food and oxygen in the weeds. Once the ice thickens and plants die off, it’s a whole different ballgame.