Ice fishing for channels???

Hello everyone,

Me and a buddy would like to target some channel cats this winter but neither of us have fished for them during hard water. My question is does anyone know of any lakes worth trying anywhere in the metro area. I’m not looking for secret spots just names of lakes, but help with depth/structure to look for or any other helpful hints would be very helpful. I’ve heard of some people fishing for them on lake byllesby by cannon falls is this worth a shot. I also heard of a lake by north st. Paul but can’t remember the name I know it starts with a B and I’ve heard it has big channels.

ANY help is greatly appreciated! TIA

Take Care!
Kevin

If your up for a road trip Petenwell Flowage here in WI is LOADED with channel cats. You almost have to try to not to catch them

I’d like to try the Bass Ponds by Cedar (77) and Old Shakopee. I know that there are some in there, but how many, I am not sure. Might be a bit of a walk down there in the winter.

FIN Can Help You Find Where they are Stocked

The HorseShoe chain up in Cold Spring has produced many channels for me off the ice.

Same question. Rochester area.

Lake Zumbro? Chester Woods?

thanks
– Boogs

Zumbro.

Rattlesnake to start; then the highbanks; then the channel between fishermans and Rattlesnake….west side, 2nd bay just downstream from the corner in the late season.

Where on Zumbro is Rattlesnake?

It’s about the only thing I did last winter.
It’s a blast!

Sauk River chain of lakes is FULL of them.

Here’s one of our typical nights last year.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XryP5uhvmOI

GPS coordinates. Thank you.

– Boogs

Never really ice fished before, but this might be the year. Golden in Circle Pines looks promising.

Dtro – what type of presentation do you use?

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Never really ice fished before, but this might be the year. Golden in Circle Pines looks promising.

Dtro – what type of presentation do you use?

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I grew up fishing that lake a lot. If you can get a channel through the ice out there I will be very very impressed. They are there and I can get them during the open water season but come ice…no go

I haven’t fished for cats through the ice yet but I have heard of using red worms or spikes for bait. I’m curious to know what others use. ???

We have tried just about everything. When they are a bit more aggressive, a pinched fathead or crappie minnow is best, later in the year when the bite slows down we switch over to chicken liver.

Best presentation is small jig under a bobber placed at the depth the school of fish is coming through. Somedays suspended, other right on the bottom.

It’s more fun to catch them jigging, but the bobber is tried and true when nothing else works.

Thanks Dtro. Really enjoyed the video you posted.

On Petenwell you can’t keep them off of jigging spoons with a minnow head. It’s not uncommon to catch 20-30 per person on a decent day. Not sure what would happen if we actually tried to catch them. After I catch a few in an area, I usually move on.

Just ask Gutone4me. As he’s sitting in the wuss hut complaining about the cold 60 degrees inside, I’m usually working a series of about 90 holes I drilled recently.

I think it’s time for a road trip. You and Pat don’t have a cooking set up do you?

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I haven’t fished for cats through the ice yet but I have heard of using red worms or spikes for bait. I’m curious to know what others use. ???

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Squished minnow on a buckshot rattle spoon put a load of cats on the ice for me last winter.

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Thanks Dtro. Really enjoyed the video you posted.

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I think it’s time for a road trip. You and Pat don’t have a cooking set up do you?

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Pat usually brings a grill for some venison steaks, but if you ask nice CL might bring you your favorite treat. Just leave me out of it.

Who’s venison would we have?

I can bring some Sturdiwheat Cajun fish coating.

I check with you guys at Everts on Friday and see if we can work out a date. Might be a few others that want to try their hand at whisker fishing.

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Who’s venison would we have?

I can bring some Sturdiwheat Cajun fish coating.

I check with you guys at Everts on Friday and see if we can work out a date. Might be a few others that want to try their hand at whisker fishing.

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Cats are a hoot on a jig rod

Sounds like a mini iDo gtg coming

Just don’t let Darren clean your fish. He doesn’t know how. There are some mighty big cats here on Mendota but I’ve never found the time to chase them through the ice. Bring a medium heavy or better or pay the consequences. Jerry, the north bay on mendota has a 15 foot breakline where it drops off into 60-70 feet of water. you have to move around until you find them but I have seen a few on the camera suspended in 30-40 feet of water on the drop off. They stack up like cord wood. I like to eat perch that time of year so I haven’t targeted them yet but they are there thinking about spawning right by the river channel.

Thanks Kev, Looks like you’re talking about the area just west of governor’s island. I’ll be out there some this winter. I’ve never caught a catfish through the ice yet so catching some of our big channels seems like it could be a lot of fun. I do have to buy myself a heavier rod though.

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Just don’t let Darren clean your fish. He doesn’t know how.

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I assume you are referring to my video?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tBgeWxGMx-U

You do it your way, I’ll do it mine

Funny, nobody ever complains how good they taste

You are easier to get a rise out of than small mouth bass guy.

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a bass guy.

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You just crossed the line buddy.

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You are easier to get a rise out of than small mouth bass guy.

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All bass guys have big mouths!