This has been on the bucket list for quite some time n tomorrow I might actually cross it off. I am planning on fishing the horseshoe chain of lakes for channel cats. However I am clueless as to how to actually get one on th ice. 
I was hoping someone could help me out n give me a pointer or two. Such as how deep, n baits to use. Thanks in advance!
I was just out there on saturday and quite a few of us were naili g them at 40 fow on spoons tipped with a dead chunk of minnow and others were hitting them really good with a red glow jig and chicken liver. If you go out there look for a map of a spot called the meth hole. It is a huge drop off from 5 ft to 40+ fow in less than 100 ft. Best spot to get them. The best thing to do is look for all the houses cause that more then likely will be the meth hole cause that’s where everyone goes. Good luck!
I’ve seen several videos from there and have the same bucket list item. In the videos, the majority, of the time they were using the icebreaker bobbers, to float a pink/red jig, with a minnow head. The cats were biting incredibly light, most of the time if the bobber moved at all. They lifted up the rod, the fish was on, so they set the hook. Goodluck!!
be careful in the area around the meth hole. the water stays open year round and it you don’t see it in time you will end up in the water and that area is 50 feet deep.
for a reference here is what the meth hole looks like. the size and location of the hole can vary from year to year. (video by Dtro)
great kitty cat fishing!!!!……. but yes be VERY careful!!! the ice varies alot out there. like the last post saidthere is ares of open water all year. the saux river runs through it
we’ve always fished the deep breaks next to deep water and had good luck 
monticatgeek, is the “meth hole” in the same spot every year and where is it on the lake?
think im lost… wouldnt fisherman stay from open water? i was wondering if the same spot stays open year after year and where on the map is it…. mplspug link just showed the whole lake
Disclaimer: This is word of mouth, I have not fished up there yet.
They obviously don’t fish on top of the hole, just near it.
When you first open the map, the center is where the hole is approximately.
I have fished Horsehsoe Lake for cats many times. This time of year I will usually walk due to the fact that I don’t have my four wheeler at school with me. I park along the road, HWY 22, and it’s kind of a long walk, but if there isn’t too much snow, its rather easy. I haven’t had the chance to go yet this season, but in years past, I prefer to use my panfish gear. Catching a cat on 2 or 3 lb test line is an absolute BLAST. My best jigs are black and red 4mm tungsten jigs tipped with red eurolarve. A guy can really get into a lot of fish this time of year, it would be well worth the drive.
As far as the “meth hole” goes, it sometimes is and isn’t open. In January, it is always frozen and has more than enough ice to fish on, I’ve had up to 18″ directly above the hole, but I would take extreme cautions regardless of what the temps have been.
Best of luck if you make it out there!
Last time I was out there I used a wheeler. A fella went out ahead of me in a light pickup leaving from the parking area on hwy 22. At the mouth of the river going into the lake is where I found his 90% submerged pickup.
As said above, be careful in the river areas.
I’ve never fished closer then a couple hundred feet from the M hole. No need too.
Channels can be aggressive too. If you see marks 10 or 20 feet off the bottom get your jig up there!
The mighty sauk river is loaded with cat fish. The Meth hole is most popular, but any shallow shelf adjacent to deeper water will yield catfish and an occoasional walleye or crappie. This way you are fishing away from the crowds and may have better fishing. I grew up fishing the river/chain and lots of areas to catch the catfish, but the meth hole is by far the most popular. If you go on a weekend just look off to the right as you cross the first bridge on hwy 22….cant miss the amount of people fishing for cats.
I know of a several other spots I would love to hit away from the meth hole. Thought about ice fishing them while cruising the chain over Labor Day Vacation.
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As far as the “meth hole” goes, it sometimes is and isn’t open. In January, it is always frozen and has more than enough ice to fish on, I’ve had up to 18″ directly above the hole, but I would take extreme cautions regardless of what the temps have been.
Best of luck if you make it out there!
you will never have 18″ of above the hole. the area you are thinking is the meth hole is actually east of the meth hole/open water area. a lot of people mistake the meth hole as being straight out from the point that forms the horseshoe but the actual meth hole (open water area) is between that area and the west shore about half way to the shore. if you stay by that point you are fine and not by the open water area.
the area marked with the “XX” is the approximant area of the open water / meth hole.
one other thing to remember is to “NEVER DRIVE ON FROM THE DNR SUMMER ACCESS” in the winter it is right on the river and the ice is unpredictable because of the current flow under the ice. “ALWAY USE THE WINTER ACCESS” for ice fishing.
Thanks for sharing Monti.
…and that’s where the truck accessed the lake that I found cover with water. He entered from the DNR access.
I think what messes with folks is the tracks leading to the lake from the DNR access. Generally is wheeler tracks but cars and trucks do go out that way. Because it’s moving water it’s always a gamble.
Like you said, the lake access is a much better option.
Thanks again for posting!
Whatever you do don’t try to fish that light of line on Mendota.. the temps are going to make the cat spots fishable here by the first of the year.
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Whatever you do don’t try to fish that light of line on Mendota.. the temps are going to make the cat spots fishable here by the first of the year.
I heard there were no catfish in that cesspool.
Maybe in February you naysayers should come down and test my theory.
any ice reports out there yet
Jake P did you ever end up making it out there? I have had it on my list of things to do over the winter for a few years. I am thinking this weekend I’m going to finally check it out.
I watched Angling Edge’s (I think) who had a ice fishing for cats combined with summer fishing for cats. They showed a map of the lake. It didn’t show the name of the lake, but comparing it to Google maps on my computer, it wasn’t hard to figure out.
I know a good spot in West Central Minnesota if anyone want to know. They looked like the only ones out there, so it seems to be untapped. They pulled up a couple nice ones.
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