When To Switch Spots & When To Stay While Ice Fishing

One of the biggest revolutions in ice fishing over the last few years has been the use of electronics. What used to be a sport defined by permanent ice-shacks and stagnant fishing has now become one of lightweight, fast-deploying gear and hole-hopping. This is a direct result of anglers becoming more skilled at locating fish, and also being able to read their moods and determine their activity level.Lost a bit in the “hole-hopping” movement is detailed information on the question "Should I stay or should I go?" – something we hope to remedy with this column.

When To Stay

• When the fish are actively biting• When the fish you are catching are the right size• When you’re marking lots of fish and getting them to follow a bait, but not commit• When conditions are changing, i.e. around dawn, dusk, frontal changes, etc.

When To Move

• When you’re not marking any fish• When the fish you do mark are not willing to move up and look at your bait• When the fish you’re catching are not the right size or species• When there is a high-pressure system, arctic cold front, or other weather condition that will lock their jaws• When you can catch a fish or two and then the school disappears