Lake Catfishing through Ice?

I’ve created a (good) moster!

My new video Catfish Locations came yesterday. As I was watching it last night…I didn’t notice my wife…she was watching it too. When the first fella pulled in a 1-2 lbs channel cat…she said “look at that little thing, is that what this video is about?” So, I explained it was more on location than the fishing piece…. I didn’t hear another word out of her UNTIL…..

They started fishing for channels on ice… She asked…no DEMANDED that I take her Channel Ice Fishing!

My problem is…(not with her of course) but were does a fella take his wife to fish for channels in the winter?
I have two options look through the DNR lake info and start narrowing it down from there…or go the easy way and ask the “at your finger tips” fishing network on IDA.

We’re looking for lakes (not rivers) and catch-photo-release is the standard.
Preferrably around the East side of the Metro Area…but it realy doesn’ t matter. The only lake I know of is Zumbro…but those pesky 7 to 10 lbs Northerns keep taking my bait. (Your welcome Jake)

Thanks for the help!

I’m not familiar with your area, but there are certain places on Rathbun where you’ll (I) will catch as many or more cats as will crappies. They’re hard on light ice gear.

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They’re hard on light ice gear.

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Would this be a good reason to see HOF for a custom rod?

Ok, Where is Rathbun?

Might be a good idea.
Southern Iowa. You thinking about an invasion?
Why wouldn’t you want to fish for river cat?

Just before ice out on Clear Lake Ia we get a decent cat bite

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The only lake I know of is Zumbro…but those pesky 7 to 10 lbs Northerns keep taking my bait.

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Garsh Dern it boy…..I told you to stop feedin those dang toothies…..We’re trying to get rid of them

But as far as your new found catfish fetish…..can’t help ya much. You’re right that lake zumbro is chuck full of channels, but I wouldn’t have the foogiest idea were to start looking for them in the winter (other than under the ice ).

Isn’t the Horseshoe Chain a famous winter catfishin destination???

Thanks Jake…I forgot someone was telling me that…I spose Scott Stiel doesn’t get down this far in the forums too often…

I’m trying to stay way form river catfish because my wife doesn’t like the moving water in the winter Herb. Since she’s the one MAKING me go…I figure I better respect her wishes.. or….

Horse shoe up towards St cloud. Never been there brian but if you want to give it a try and are looking for company let me know.
The lakes around mora have cats in them also but I have never heard of them being caught threw the ice.

Herb’s right – Rathbun would be a good place, but I don’t know when the get or how long they keep safe ice.

A better bet, and the only place I’ve ever caught ice catfish, would be Lake MacBride or Coralville Resevoir. Who knows, at C’ville, you might even pull a good flat (can you fit a 30lb cat through an 8″ hole)?

Since I know you’re looking for an excuse to come down here anyways, I might also mention that I close on my new house two weeks from today – less than 5 minutes from Macbride/C’ville.

Mendota is loaded with big channel cats. I have never heard of one being taken through the ice though.

I have ice fished the horseshoe chain for cats for the past three years. Plenty of cats to go around. If you hit it right you can catch 50 cats a day between a couple of people in the range of 3-5 lbs. Lots of the locals up there feel the cats have invaded their waters so you will find cats dead out on the ice. Kind of like some people who throw sheephead or carp on shore. I’ve only kept fish a few times. It is just super fun catching and releasing one channel after the other on a small ice rod! I can’t wait to get after them again this year.

Mike T.

Long Lake in New Brighton has been known to produce a few Channels. Lots of people ice fish this lake, but I dont think anyone ‘targets’ cats. Caught them there plenty in the summer, as Rice Creek, which connects to the Mississippi runs through it. Its worth a try, it has plenty of good public access points as well.

i also planned on chasing some channel cats thru the ice. I have been given some leads to an area that has channels in the winter. but i have no idea how to really go after them over ice! My buds have caught a few random channels on tipups, but we are not sure how we can specifically target them, or what to look for on this big frozen body of water. i gotta do something after goose season is over.

I have heard that using a few wax worms over the deepest spot on the body of water produces quite well. I guess it has something to do with the larvae that wriggle up out of the mud in the winter.

When I have fished cats in the winter, it seems to be that most of the ones we have got were suspended fish, they came through just like the crappies did, 5-15ft of the bottom. We have used minnows on jigging spoons, or a fireball jig with cut bait(we just cut up dead sucker minnows). Catching cats through the ice is a riot, these things fight.

Catfishing through the ice is a blast. The fight is awesome on the short rods. Hands down the best spot in the area to catch them is the horseshoe chain near St.Cloud. It used to be really good about 5-6 years ago before the word really got out about the fish there. I my opinion the fishing has gone down hill in the last couple years. You would be suprised how lite the bite can be from a 7 lb channel cat. it barely wiggle the rod tip..and boom you set the hook as quick as you can. Either your rod doubles over or you end up smacking the top of you ice house. We use regular 1/4 or 1/8 oz. jigs. Glow seems to out produce regular paint. Jigging spoons are ok but the fish are not super aggresive for the most part. I think cut shinner is better than cut sucker for this situation too.

Looks like Briank needs to be spoon fed again. Do you own work!!!

Spoon feeding is good…but most of the time the pacifire is in the way.

You do bring up a very good point Mr Daruoho…

Before I posted this question…I figured I would get one or two responses from fisherman that don’t target cats…but as you can see, there’s responses from everytype of fisherman here.
I’m pleasantly surprised!

Catfisherman are known to be very secretive lot for one of two reasons (am I missing any?):

1.) They don’t want to share channel cat spots because they want to fish alone/afraid of the “meat” hunters.

2. The attitude …. it took me two years to find some good spots…you need to do the work/put the time in too…

Although I believe # 1 MAY have some merit to “meat hunters” (I consider a meat hunter to be someone that takes his limit and comes back the same day and takes another..’cause five 3 lb fish won’t fill his freezer) the wanting to fish alone confuses me (ie no other boats around you).

As for #2…well in my opinion…it’s “Number 2”. I owe 100% of my fishing skills/locations to other people….(even though some people don’t want to be blamed ) For this not only am I greatful, but want to “pay it forward” by helping anyone that’s interested in learning the little I know.

I’m not a betting man, but I’de be willing to bet all of 50 cents that there isn’t any “secret” spots on the rivers and lakes around here. I’d be willing to bet another 50 cents that MOST of any fisherman’s knowlege came from someone else.

Now that I think about it…this is not just a catfishing issue…and that’s ok too. It’s just that I think that this is a dying attitude…

(Will someone burn that soapbox!)

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I owe 100% of my fishing skills/locations to other people….(even though some people don’t want to be blamed ) For this not only am I greatful, but want to “pay it forward” by helping anyone that’s interested in learning the little I know.

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You’re Welcome Brian

That little humor Slop is going to cost you a seat in your boat this summer!

You forgot about the few of us that taught ourselves using fine IDA and In-fisherman magazine articles and videos. I have lots of spots that nobody has ever seen let alone fished.

Ok, I was thinking the St. Croix and the Mississippi from the Redwing dam up as not having spots that haven’t been fished before. Because of the many cuts ect below Pepin..I would agree.

For the folks that want to read the articals posted in IDA and the other magazines go for it! That’s what they are there for.

It’s the year 2004… leverage technology. (jez I hate pc words like that…)

Brian,

I haven’t been around in a while…but after reading this thread, can’t help but weigh in. I think you have oversimplified a complex topic. First off, not everyone is a “social” creature, the last thing I want to see when I arrive at a spot that I want to fish are other boats targeting the species I had in mind. This is something that comes with the territory, but nonetheless some of us don’t embrace it. I think one of the reasons I personally gravitated to catfish some years ago was the relative lack of pressure…subsequently I didn’t have to deal with that very situation on a regular basis. There are so many other variables to have to worry about, logistics, bait, weather and most importantly the fish’s attitude…it was nice to have relative solitude when targeting areas.
Flatheads(for instance) are not bluegills…there are not hundreds of them in every spot, nor are there as many worthwhile spots to begin with, as with some other species. So the prospect of sharing the three decent sized fish in each spot is not that attractive to some of us either. Like I said before these things are all part of fishing public waters, but not everyone is excited about it.
As far as discerning where exactly to fish, I agree with you that we all had a little help, but for me researching a river, getting there, and reading it correctly is all part of the challenge (especially when it works out). So I would also have to agree with Kevin that there are spots to find on your own out there, it is just a little(lot) more work.
I guess there are just some people out there that are a bit rankled when people solicit exact spots(daruoho being one I suspect) This phenomenom has nothing to do with catfish specifically, only some people’s (mine included) attitude toward socializing while actually on the water. As catfishing grows in popularity, the solitude some of us crave is going to only get harder to achieve…..maybe I can trade the jet in for a helicopter:)

Hey JC, where ya been?

The original quesion was…

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My problem is…(not with her of course) but were does a fella take his wife to fish for channels in the winter?
I have two options look through the DNR lake info and start narrowing it down from there…or go the easy way and ask the “at your finger tips” fishing network on IDA.
We’re looking for lakes (not rivers) and catch-photo-release is the standard.
Preferrably around the East side of the Metro Area…but it realy doesn’ t matter.

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I was just looking for a lake or lakes that I could take my wife CHANNEL cat fishing at. I promise, I’ll zip up the door on the portable fishing house if I meet you or daruoho on the ice (lol!)

It seems we have moved towards more of a flathead discussion.

Either way…To all of you that were willing to share your lake info
Thanks, I hope I’ll be able to return the favor someday…

To the others that elected not to respond or did respond with concerns…I respect your opinion and thanks for sharing your point of view.

Later…I’m going catten!

I knew an old timer once who at one time owned the flathead state record. He gave me the best and only serious direction in catfishing I have ever listened to. “Find shallow water next to deep water. Be patient they will find you” I spend as much time driving around in my boat as I do fishing. If you know what to look for your hair will stand up straight when you find that spot. I too have been wondering if Jetcat didn’t end up on the loosing end of a tug of war? Twin boys in Febuary heading this way. That means I will soon be able to run 9 rods at a time.

Nah, this crotchety old man is still alive and well. As hard as I fish during the warmer months (and travel), I look forward to and enjoy some time off from fishing and the like this time of year. Plus catgirl and I are engaged now and are working with a builder, and clearing our land…so my plate is very full. I hope that my post didn’t sound too negative, just wanted to illustrate a different point of view…I HAVE been known to help people out now and again….just impersonally:)

Let me guess the James River for the honeymoon?

JC Congrates! Do you have a date?

Get the house built before spring…’cause you know what’s going to happen…NOTHING until winter again!

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“Find shallow water next to deep water. Be patient they will find you”

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Whisker? Does this hold true for channels through the ice?

I have never purposly fished for something as small as a channel cat.

Thanks! I deserved that!