While the majority of anglers choose to pursue traditional game fish this season don’t underestimate the fun factor of hooking up less pressured fish. Many of these fish are quite vulnerable to hook and line with the soon to come onset of the 2010-2011 Ice fishing season. Minnesota lakes give up freakishly large Whitefish, Eel Pout and even big numbers of monster Smallmouth bass during the hardwater season. Still these fish remain under the radar, and receive little press by hardwater anglers. Over the last couple years I’ve fielded a growing number of phone calls from group leaders wanting to target fish that are a bit out of the “NORM” when it comes to traditional Ice fishing species like Walleyes, Pike, Crappies, Perch and Gils.
Here is something you just MIGHT want to consider. Eel Pout are quite possibly one of the least appreciated, yet extreme fighting fish roaming northern Minnesota lakes. They grow to enormous size, and are often times known to be very willing biters when pinpointed. Pout trips most always take place at night when these ugly deep water fish swarm around winter spawning grounds, and are the only Ice fishing trip I offer 1/2 days on simply so I can get SOME sleep!! Most anglers will seldom tap into the fish of many names during the open water season as they mostly hold down in the deep dark water. The Eel Pout also referred to as “Lawyer”, “Freshwater Cod” or Burbout are fantastic tablefare,and I vividly remember my grandpa telling me that on his early pioneering trips into Canada how the fish were simply coveted. Local Natives would go crazy over the Pout and claim the fish the purest meat, and feed it to their babies. I never knew exactly what to believe from my grandpa that ate Muskrat, dandelions, turtle…..But in this case I will have to agree with his passsed on knowledge. Located along top of the back there are two meaty “Backstraps”, and if the fish is large enough a delicous tail section. Boiled in 7-up or a Bay Leaf mixture and dipped in drawn butter will thoroughly suprise your taste buds. When boiled in 7-up I believe the soon to become Opaque colored meat absorbes the sugar from the pop further sweetening the meat. This just might be something you want to consider adding to your bucket list this year. My favorite presentation for Pout consists of the same 1/8 oz. Lightning spoons or Vertiglows tipped with a minnow head. Pictured is a 38.5 inch 14.5lb Burbout I iced a couple years ago. The state record If I recall is around the 19lb mark!!
Whitefish are truly a fish of the Northwoods much the same as many would consider the Lake Trout. Whitefish should not be confused with tullibee. Although these fish look very much the same the Whitefish and “Tuli” have a different shaped mouth. One pointing up and the other slightly down (Need to jog my memory to remember which one is which!!). The other way you’ll tell the difference is that the “Tuli” when fried up properly will taste similiar to old wet Dog food while the Brilliant white flakes in the Whitefish meat is amazing. Whitefish are often times caught around schools of Crappies. It is my belief that Whitefish are feeding on mud bugs/larvea much the same as large crappies. The whitefish are commonly mistaken by anglers staring down at there Marcums as big pike as they leave a heavy mark, and are often suspended high in the water column over deep haunts. Don’t be shocked when chasing big panfish in Border country if you end up going toe to toe with what appears to be the worlds LARGEST SHINER!! My favorite presentation for Whitefish is a Diamond jig or small slender spoon in Bright silver packed with Euro Larvea shaken suspended over deep water.
Smallmouth bass at times are discussed with fear of ridicule. Smallmouth anglers tend to think these coveted fish should be protected statewide by powers to be in some neck of the woods. I tend to disagree reading both sides of the arguments. With this said I will say ALL fish need to be both targeted and cared for with common sense. Smallies typically are not knownt to travle great distances during the winter months lending themselves IF LOCATED what many consider more vulnerable to the ice angler. I personally never keep smallmouth bass open or hard water. I consider them strictly a sport fish, and always handle with care. These fish are located in relatively deep wintering structure on some lakes, yet shallow Boulder piles in others. The depth relationship between these smallmouth and the lake has everything to do with the make-up of the lake your fishing them on. I would suggest against targeting Deep Smallies in the winter due to possible hooking mortality issues. I have located in past years these scrappy fighting and bladder blow outs. On the otherhand toads in 10-20 foot depths I feel rarely suffer any sort of hooking mortality if anglers handle fish quickly and efficiently. Again I would urge anglers to handle fish with caution, and slip them back down the hole. These smallmouth bass are much more lethargic when taking your presentation than say during the open water season. The bite is similiar to a big crappie inhaling your offering only when you slam the hook home that fish often times goes the other way!! My favorite presentation for Big smallies is a diamond jig Packed with Euro Larvea on a light action rod with a small diameter Braided line.
So this season if you find yourself in a rut, or if the traditional bites slow down you might want to try something new. You just MIGHT find it is the most rewarding fishing of your entire season!!
Stay thirsty my friends!! 
Heck I like “Oyster Stew” (My wife nearly Pukes just smelling it) so I’m cetainly not one in a position to judge!! NOW I will say that I’ve had several customers insist on keeping the tullibees, but they’ve always told me they liked to smoke them becuase of their oily skin. I will admit I have not personally tasted dog food or a deep fried Tullibee, but I’ve had talked to many that have. The general opinion was actually a bit more harsh than “Wet Dog Food!!” 
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Earlier there was mention of these freaks wrapping around your arm. This is FACT Boys. Suck it up….I’ve had to!!
