Winter Flathead Fishing

I have seen that winter flathead fishing can be fantastic since they are stacked up in certain holes. My question is are they biting or is a snagging situation? I would like to see the opinion of the more seasoned flat-guys as to what they think about fishing flats in the winter. Some have said this is a good time to hit a bunch, others have said that you can damage the resource because they are in a vulnerable position. Would a catch and release be the way to go, or is this also harmful? What are the opinions out there?

Hey Catdad, I am heading out next Saturday on pool 2 to do some walleye fishing. I was thinking about trying one of my cat spots too. How late in the year would you recommend fishing for flats without damaging the resource? Thanks Mike Turbak.

Hey Chris

This was the reason I brought it up. I would hope this could serve to inform persons who are looking at this method of flat fishing. I agree there should be a ban or a closing of the season for flats. Perhaps by starting this disscussion we can get the MN or WI DNR involved in taking some action.

Does anyone have any experience with this? Has or is the DNR interested in hearing suggestions?

I got excited about this method of catching cats about three years ago when the In-Fisherman and Twin Cities papers started publishing “how to” articles about it. I haven’t fished for these flatheads however because of the very reasons you all have all stated. Many concentrated fish that are vulnerable. I wonder why the In-Fisherman is promoting it? I know that they have talked about the snagging controversey and preach catch and release but the number of people trying to catch these fish has got to be increasing, doesn’t it? I know there are some serious cat men that spend alot of time on the water catching these fish. I’ve heard some even guide for winter flats. Its an interesting subject.

One thing I would LOVE to do is get a underwater camera and take a peak at all those winter flats concentrated in an area. I think that would be cool !

I know back where I was raised (rock river) lake Koshkonong, we used to catch channel cats thru the ice…. they were never foul hooked…… but I don’t know about flat’s//// I always thouhgt that they went dormint….they are still active as of this past week…… I have cought them on half a crawler and jig ……… so yes they are still feeding….

I don’t see what purpose a closed season would do.The only way you are going to catch them when they are dormant is by snagging them anyway.So the guys who are out there catching them are illeagal allready.One more rule doesn’t stop a poacher.Why the heck would you want to keep these fish any way.I have never eaten a flat and frankly they do not look that appetizing!I have caught a flat head in the winter.It was snagged while I was fishing for walleye.The fish went 30lbs and I don’t think it kicked once,just like hauling in a log!Why would anyone fish for them at this time ,there is no sport!!

I am all for preserving our resources and I love to fish for flatheads,don’t get me wrong.It just seems that it would be a useless regulation.

I did pick up a flathead the other day while fishing for walleye. He took a 5″chub and went a whopping 1lb! but fought with the ferocity of his big brothers.Cute little thing.I never knew they came that small!!

actually flatheads are delicuis… delicuiese well anyway there pretty friggin yummy….. they have a distinctly whiter meat compared to there cuz,,,, the channel….. and you are correct in the winter they seem sluggish as [censored]….. like hauling up a log….. not much sport but in the summer the fight harder than anyfish I have ever tangled with…….

I think that the winter cat men would claim that with the correct presentation you can get the flatheads to bite your offering, so saying that their just going out there and snagging fish will be debated.

Maybee I am not as informed as others.I fish smaller rivers than most of the guys on this forum.I am usually the only guy on the river I fish ,past the end of october unless there is a killer walleye bite going and the water is high enough for prop boats.So in my “small world” I do not believe there is a problem.But I suppose if I saw on one occassion a guy hauling 5 nice flatheads up the river bank I would be quite upset.I just want to make clear that I am not oppossed to a regulation I just have not seen a need for it.I am interested in what you guys have seen though.Is it all that common on the bigger rivers to see guys fishing for flats and harvesting them in the winter.

This is some thing I would really like to see.You can bet that I would not return to harass the fish.I enjoy fishing for cats and would like to enjoy it for some time to come.

I am also interested in your research and have lots of questions.Information is a good thing

.Sometimes it can be miss used,but without information we would have depleted our fisheries resources long ago.Catch and release and selective harvest probably would have not been practiced unless guys like yourself study fish behaviors.

yeah… Ive seen them after the flats up towards the dam at redwing… one day I was not having much luck towards the dam and started to work downriver… I was going through a spot where 2 boats were working when I thought I was “snagged”….. and with all the fiestyness of an anchor the fight was on….. eventually I lifted the big fish to the surface…. it was a nice flat…. upper 20 to lower 30 Id guess….. and the bait was inside the mouth… maybe it was taking a breath of water when I went past… or maybe it decided to have a light snack…. at that time the shad were dying and drifting downriver big time so maybe they were feeding on them? the guys in the 2 boats were NAILING them with suckers…. and they caught quite a bunch….. released everyone…. for all I know Catdad maybe you were one of them? this was a few years ago….. Ive never been tempted to target these fish… but I do see boats working for them almost everyday…. in that same exact spot…. and its just a little place too….. I dont know what attracts them to it….. but they sure hang in there……

Leave the flatheads alone in the winter!!!!!! If you really have to catch a cat during the cold water period you can come ice fishing for channels with me, where we definatley hook all the fish in the mouth. Otherwise let those big gals rest untill the spring.

wow, I thought I wouldn’t here from you agian until spring…… Have you checked those bass threads yet?? HA HA

Mine is at 105 topics and counting………..

Schoolsbeen keeping me busier than heck. I decided to take a personal day today. Little too much “candy” lastnight. My walleye counter still hasn’t changed since I loged on

I think that you just go under a different name to check your walleyes. Stay away from the candy blood boy. Talk to you later.

Hey rookie,

why don’t you and winchester go tie some snells????????????? Big eyes and tight snells, isn’t that your motto??