100% Payback Tourney. Most people agree that the best way to catch bluegill and other pan fish while ice fishing is to engage in either vertical or horizontal jigging. The “Lake” is certainly a proven winter destination for fishing, but there are many inland lakes and ponds that provide some great ice fishing action as well. However, it is possible for the bottom to be too soft. Ice fishing for panfish like crappies, bluegills, and perch requires tackle that lies at the extreme side of the "finesse" spectrum. A weedy mid-depth flat that connects two basins is a perfect example of a prime sunfish locale. When you’re ice fishing for panfish, it’s hard to know what your best choice is based on the situation. In recent years, horizontal jigs have become popular with sunfish anglers. A lake that has a small population of large crappie may not be as good to visit as one with a large population of smaller crappie. In all my years of ice fishing, I have never seen better variety, selection, and quality of ice-fishing rods from which to choose. Pulsing a jig up and down with short vibrations of the rod tip is the most common tactic when ice fishing for bluegill. Watch instructional videos to help you catch more fish! One of the ways I keep my ice fishing simple is by focusing most of my ‘searching for panfish energy’ to one area. I’ll be the first to admit there’s no perfect shelter for every ice-fishing task. Shop Panfish Rods at FishUSA, America's Tackle Shop. To catch the true jumbos, an angler has to understand the element of timing. Ice fishing tackle for bluegill and panfish. But if you can fit your goals, such as quantity of catch over quality, or one species over another (cold-water yellow perch are hard to beat for winter table fare), to your family’s experience and ability, you’ll come out ahead. danieljohnson. If you are using an ice fishing shelter or fishing in a tight space, a large rod might not be the most logical decision though. The mid winter doldrums as they call it, have set in! Also, generally speaking, bright, colorful, reflective, and glow in the dark lures work best, because it is fairly dark under the ice. Most anglers target transition areas of mud, sand, and rock in 15 to 25 feet. There is little stretch, it has good sensitivity and high breaking strength for its weight class, has good knot strength, and is nearly invisible in the water column. His author website is kenschultz.com. With a unique fluttering motion, the Berkley® PowerBait® Atomic Mite calls in fish from far distances – allowing anglers to shorten the search process. Sign up to get the latest news and updates sent straight to your inbox. Since anglers will be standing close to the hole, a long rod is a disadvantage. In general, big sunfish prefer muddier bays and flats that possess standing green weeds. January 06, 2017 By Mike Gnatkowski "Two secrets to catching early season panfish are stealth and safety," ice-fishing guru Brian "Bro" Brosdahl said. FREE Standard Shipping on Orders Over $50. With flashers, anglers won’t wet a line unless they like what they see. GET THE NEWSLETTER Join the List and Never Miss a Thing. Over time, traditional tactics take fewer fish. Anglers worldwide are becoming better educated and better equipped while fish stocks are dwindling due to excessive fishing pressure. Here are some basic tips and considerations to improve chances of success. Invest in a good container that will keep hot chocolate or hot cider warm for hours. Interest in ice fishing continues to grow and year after year, sunfish, crappie, and perch are the most sought after species. Clam Maki Jamei XL … Ice fishing rods and reels are pretty basic. Some places, for example, have plenty of small to medium-size perch, while others have larger specimens. It has a little bigger hook and is great for using a crappie minnow, a small fathead, or a couple wax worms. Panfish don’t have large mouths, and while at times they can be aggressive, they often are not in cold winter water. Having an arsenal of jigging techniques at ready for the tougher times can make or break an outing. Jars come with lots of emerald shiners for all fishing purpose. Since anglers will be standing close to the hole, a long rod is a disadvantage. 99 Early season ice is one of the best times of the season to fish, and this is especially true with panfish. Many anglers only think about Lake Erie when ice fishing in Ohio comes up. When you’re ice fishing for panfish, it’s hard to know … Jigging for Crappie Ice Fishing During the winter months, crappie typically hold together in pods of 3-10 fish and feed on plankton. Excellent clarity with 15 feet visibility. Register your boat today. Over the past decade, the technological improvements in … Here are some basic tips and considerations to improve chances of success. This two 2.1 oz. Instead of plastic buckets and tip-ups, most avid ice anglers are now equipped with GPS and portable sonar units known as flashers. With this tips you can head out to seek your panfish on ice this season. Ice fishing rods for pike and perch can be poor at catching panfish, and vice versa. While crappie can still be caught among the crowds, they tend to feed in tight windows and oftentimes the peak feeding period comes between midnight and 2 a.m. Further, in to our list of Best Ice Fishing Lures for Panfish is the Gulp! Ohio Ice Fishing Tips to Start the Season and Catch More P anfish & Perch Ohio has an assortment of ice fishing opportunities. Rods for sunnies. Fishing without sonar is like driving a car without an instrument panel. But in reality most of the fish out in the lake don’t know that. If they’ve been ice fishing before, and like it, or if they’re already avid anglers, then involve them in the rigging, bait tending, and other chores that go along with ice fishing for panfish (as well as other species). Joel Nelson shares his approach to choosing ice fishing line for panfish, whether you’re using smaller micro jigs or larger crappie spoons. We encourage you to follow CDC recommendations. But if the kids are young and not used to spending hours on a frozen lake, at least pick a low-wind, mild, sunny day. The one line that meets the ice fisherman’s panfishing needs is fluorocarbon. Anglers actively hunt schools by drilling a dozen or more holes at a time as opposed to sitting and waiting. 13 Fishing Coconut Crab Superior Soft Plastics. Another late-ice option is to target shallow-water chara grass, or sand grass, in 6 to 12 feet. t Fishing bluegills and panfish through the ice “Hard water” fishing for panfish is fun and easy and may result in a fine dinner when the winds blow cold. If you’re looking to catch panfish including perch or bluegill and want to use micro baits, then you should look at getting an ultralight ice fishing rod 18-24 inches in length. Fly fishing techniques. Jigging for Crappie is the most popular way to … Panfish line is one of the most hotly debated topics in ice fishing.There is monofilament, fluorocarbon, braided super lines and even different copolymer options available. No early sign up required. Cross-country-skiing or ice skating on frozen lakes, if conditions permit, are fine ways to occupy the kids while parents tend to tipups. I recently started using a drop shot technique, commonly used for bass fishing, while fishing for sunfish species (especially bluegill). However, if the weeds die off and the water clarity deteriorates, the sunfish will likely leave and head deeper into one of the basins. Ergo, have your act together. While they may taste similar, each species differs greatly in terms of habitat and seasonal migration. Learn new fishing skills, boating resources, fishing etiquette, conservation and more. And that also means attending to food and beverages. The best ice fishing in Ohio is arguably going after panfish and perch. And if you have enough gear for each family member, multi-hole drilling is a lot better done with an ice auger. I’ll be the first to admit there’s no perfect shelter for every ice-fishing task. Participant. As the most aggressive eaters, perch can provide near non-stop action – especially late in the year. Of course, that range can vary based on the three variables. $3.49 . $2.49 . Laxygo Ice Fishing Jigs Fishing Bait Jigging Lures Kit Tungsten Ice Fishing Hook and Fly Fishing Jig Lure Bait for Panfish, Pike, Walleye, Perch and Crappies. Gulp Bait, 1 Inch Minnows, that comes in 2 jar Bundles. Panfish, like all other fish, adapt. 100% Payback Tourney. Shop quality Ice Fishing Soft Baits at FishUSA. Ice Fishing for Panfish: A Great Winter Family Activity. If you can drill holes quickly, and you have your gear in good order, then you can get lines in the water quickly and get people engaged in fishing right away. The whole crew can be involved, and chances for everyone to enjoy success are pretty good, especially if your chosen angling location is one with a good population of panfish … Jigging with our ice fishing combo is a very effective way to catch bluegills, sunfish and other panfish. Ice fishing for bluegills is very relaxing, very fun, and not a … … If gooey organic matter is sticking to your jig, the bottom is too mucky. The Forage Minnow Fry matches-the-hatch and is deadly on big panfish. Alive!® Waxie is typically too much for a sunfish to resist. That area would be basins, or deep holes in a … Fiberglass, graphite, and composites like carbon fiber are the most common materials, ice fishing rods for panfish are made from. Do you like this content? No membership in the Club Required. Hook more panfish using the tips and tactics of the pros, with panfish gear tested by the experts. Ice fishing rod for panfish? Unlike their counterparts, sunfish are good daylight feeders. The whole crew can be involved, and chances for everyone to enjoy success are pretty good, especially if your chosen angling location is one with a good population of panfish species, i.e. The materials of your ice fishing rod for panfish should be as lightweight and durable as possible. For the most part, they are smaller versions of ultra light tackle that anglers use when open water fishing. Ice Fishing Tips for Panfish. The break needs to be steep, but can it be located in water anywhere from 5 to 15 feet. tho it is hard to sell a HIGH END ice rod while using a low dollar wire guides,so in “my opinion” to keep that rod a “high end” rod one must use a “high end” guides, I may never choose to buy one like that but they definitely have their place in the icefishing world. Three of our favorite finesse jigging tactics are pulsing, jigging up through the water column, and dead sticking. Good panfish lakes are being hit harder than ever, and pressure changes things dramatically. 98 Get it as soon as Tomorrow, Jan 29 For northern-state anglers, ice fishing for panfish is a great family activity. When the weather in Michigan gets colder, anglers get fishing across more than 11,000 inland lakes and 36,000 miles of rivers and streams. One thing you can try is a small fly fishing reel on your panfish jigging rod setup. Combined, these three are aptly known as panfish due to their delicious tasting filets. Custom Jigs & Spins Wedgie Plastics. Sign-up to receive our monthly newsletter with interesting blogs about fishing and boating. Walleye and panfish complement the take of this popular ice-fishing destination in Rusk County. Mud flats, sand grass, rocks, and sunken wood also provide some cover and ambush points for pods of crappies and bluegills at first ice. Hook more panfish using the tips and tactics of the pros, with panfish gear tested by the experts. Panfish line is one of the most hotly debated topics in i ce fishing. Panfish don’t have large mouths, and while at times they can be aggressive, they often are not in cold winter water. Ice Fishing for Panfish Interest in ice fishing continues to grow and year after year, sunfish, crappie, and perch are the most sought after species. ... 13 Fishing BAMF Finesse Panfish Plastics. Tied to 2-pound test Berkley® Trilene® Micro Ice®, anglers jig swiftly, but barely move the rod tip. Sunfish are the only panfish that can cause a drag to scream as the fish fight and dig in circular fashion. It’s not a good thing to have to fix, untangle, and otherwise service gear while your out in the cold on the ice. You just need to walk softly and carry a light stick. One key thing in ice fishing techniques, especially for panfish (and trout), is using light objects, and that’s where small lightweight flies and jigs shine. These are breeding grounds where millions of larvae rise from the lake bottom. Fly reels have 2 distinct advantages over spinning reels which lend themselves to ultralight bluegill fishing through the ice. You’ll want to pair that rod with: 500 size ice fishing reel; 2-6lb mono/fluoro or; 5 … Ice thickness is 4 to 8 inches with about an inch of snow. Here’s a breakdown of the most important tools in my panfishing toolbox, and how I use them effectively. Goture Ice Fishing Jigs Tungsten Kit with Carbon Steel Hooks in Tackle Box, Winter Ice Fishing Lures for Bass Pike Trout Walleye Crappie, Trout, Panfish 4.4 out of 5 stars 229 $19.99 $ 19 . These fish are usually abundant and prominent in most northern lakes and ponds. Sign Me Up . ICE FISHING TOURNAMENT SCHEDULE FOR THIS WEEKEND . Home > Take Me Fishing Blog > January 2020 > Ice Fishing for Panfish: A Great Winter Family Activity. I’ve been looking for a panfish rod and I was wondering about the Tuned Up Custom Rods Inferno 28 inch ultra light… Does it have … I say “NO” but that is my opinion only !! Do we “need” ice fishing rods with Recoil Guides on ??? Water clarity permitting, anglers will often sight-fish through the hole with small jigs and spoons. Saturday January 30th - Marble Lake, Tip Up Island Quincy MI 49082 7:30am-Noon * 2 Person Teams only $50.00 per Team. Therefore, it is imperative to know what you want to catch and which rod will best help you achieve this goal. 10 Tips for Enjoying Cold-Water Boating in Winter. For northern-state anglers, ice fishing for panfish is a great family activity. Here are a few parameters to consider when choosing the best panfish ice fishing rod that is right for you. Catching large/quality panfish can be a challenge! yellow perch, bluegill, and crappie. Whether you’re tossing jigs to schools of fish, watching a flasher and hoping for a passing trophy to swim beneath your hole in the ice, or drinking a few cold ones and relaxing while keeping an eye on your bobber, you need the right gear to get those fish in the boat. Ice Fishing Panfish. Whether you’re tossing jigs to schools of fish, watching a flasher and hoping for a passing trophy to swim beneath your hole in the ice, or drinking a few cold ones and relaxing while keeping an eye on your bobber, you need the right gear to get those fish in the boat. SHELTER. We've put together 18 of our best panfish lures, all in SUPER GLOW COLORS, Blues, greens, reds & oranges. Again, consider those that held panfish in the fall. AN INTRO FOR BEGINNERS TO ICE FISHING FOR PANFISH. MARBLE LAKE & CUB LAKE . Saturday January 30th - Marble Lake, Tip Up Island Quincy MI 49082 7:30am-Noon * 2 Person Teams only $50.00 per Team. Roger's Rigs specializes in ice fishing jigs and lures for perch and panfish. Some ice fishing rods contain unique features that are not found in any other model. Special Features. Let ‘em have fun. MARBLE LAKE & CUB LAKE . When ice fishing for crappie, bluegills, or perch, you may need to be mobile and to dig a lot of holes. Bro comments, “In the world of ice fishing jigs, the Forage Minnow Fry is incredibly lifelike. Perch use these breaks to ambush baitfish that are migrating toward deeper water. In thick vegetation, sonar is essentially useless, which makes the search process more difficult. These Tournaments are open to anyone who wants to fish. Use caution when walking to your favorite ice fishing hole; check ice thickness often. There is monofilament, fluorocarbon, braided super lines and even different copolymer options available. Popular species when the ice freezes over include panfish such as bluegill and perch as well as northern pike, walleye and various trout species. In this episode of AnglingBuzz ICE, they cover all things panfish. Where to fish Know the locations where bluegills will be. Bluegill, Perch, and other panfish jigs. The rocking motion combined with the scent of a Berkley® Gulp! Get fishing tips and tricks and read personal stories from anglers who live and breathe fishing and boating. Recently, the use of tungsten jigs has become popular for ice fishing. Find top brands, best prices, and great service at America's Tackle Shop. Fishing: Make a Drop Shot Rig for Panfish: Catching panfish usually isn't that difficult. If you know one lake better than another, that may be a better choice, at least for an initial family visit. More specifically, the flasher needs to have red and green marks that indicate the presence of sunfish, crappie, or perch. The biggest difference is the length of the rod. For more videos like this, Subscribe to our YouTube channel: You know what will keep your kids happy when it comes to sandwiches and munchies, but nothing beats PB&Js in my book. Wearing appropriate footwear and clothing goes without saying, but have a supply of toe warmers and hand warmers to put inside boots and gloves if needed. Laxygo Ice Fishing Jigs Fishing Bait Jigging Lures Kit Tungsten Ice Fishing Hook and Fly Fishing Jig Lure Bait for Panfish, Pike, Walleye, Perch and Crappies. Lake Winnebago and its surrounding rivers are an amazing panfish fishery. No membership in the Club Required. So you need something to really catch the attention of the fish. Fiberglass rods are the most affordable and are common and decently lightweight. Consider hardstem bulrushes, channels between lakes, and even boat harbors. Full-time fishing guide Brad Hawthorne details how he locates nomadic gamefish on a typical ice fishing lake through the use of lake mapping to hone in on likely areas, MEGA 360 Imaging to find and stay on top of fish, and CHIRP sonar to catch them when you've landed on the school. In terms of depth, sunfish tend to congregate in water 12 to 16 feet, which is considered mid-depth. These Tournaments are open to anyone who wants to fish. Bluegill are among the most plentiful game fish in Michigan's lakes and ponds, and ice fishing for these feisty panfish often rewards anglers with a hefty catch and a tasty meal. Comfort comes first. During the last few weeks of the ice season, insect larvae come to life and perch are prepared to pounce. I did a little… For the most part, they are smaller versions of ultra light tackle that anglers use when open water fishing. Last year, while producing an ice fishing video on panfish, we found a couple big crappies while fishing … Learn more about how you can identify a largemouth bass, where to catch it and what bait and lures to use. For example, when it comes to sensitivity, the St. The biggest difference is the length of the rod. If you are a person that lives in the far north who LOVES to eat delicious bluegills or crappies, you may want to try out the exciting sport of ice fishing. Ice fishing is a great way to spend the day and get out of the house. Of course, it’s going to be cold when you’re ice fishing for panfish, and maybe you can only go on a certain day or days of the week. Find top brands, best prices, and great service at America's Tackle Shop. Combined, these three are aptly known as panfish due to their delicious tasting filets. There are a few things to consider, including line density, handleability, and strength. One key thing in ice fishing techniques, especially for panfish (and trout), is using light objects, and that’s where small lightweight flies and jigs shine. Lakes and ponds in Ohio are set up well for good populations of perch and other panfish species. To become an effective hard-water panfish angler, the nuances of each must be understood. The first is they have incredibly loose drags which allow fish to take as much line as they need and the line does not coil off the reel. They are fairly easy to locate and provide all-day action, all winter long. Take a moment to watch the video for an introduction to our many varieties of perch jigs, then follow the product links below for images, full descriptions and easy secure on-line ordering. We specialize in ice fishing rigs for perch. For panfish, a few classes of gear deserve priority. yellow perch, bluegill, and crappie. Many of the best basins, located in 25 to 30 feet, turn into community holes that resemble small towns as they are dotted with permanent ice houses. For this reason, many anglers start the season near the shoreline and then move out to the main lake. Please complete the following fields to subscribe to our newsletter. While smaller sunfish are a nuisance, big bull sunfish are a blast. Alive! Shallow weeds are often overlooked by winter crappie anglers. You’ll want to pair that rod with: 500 size ice fishing reel; 2-6lb mono/fluoro or; 5 lb braid; Ultralight Ice Fishing Graphite Rod Setup Ice fishing rods and reels are pretty basic. The downside is that on popular lakes, these fish receive considerable angling pressure. $12.98 $ 12 . Crappie are perhaps the most predictable species of the three as they largely prefer deep basins. Designed by famed hard-water angler and panfish specialist Brian “Bro” Brosdahl, Northland Tackle’s Bro Bug is one of the best ice fishing jigs for bluegill. Here’s a breakdown of the most important tools in my panfishing toolbox, and how I use them effectively. Posts: 17. Bring what they like. For northern-state anglers, ice fishing for panfish is a great family activity. BEMIDJI, Minn. (December 8, 2020) – Anglers are starting to hit the ice with a bullseye on The largemouth bass is the most popular freshwater game fish in the U.S. Top Ice Baits for Winter Panfish. Ice Fishing Panfish No doubt about it, panfish are one of the most popular species to fish on hard water! While little ones will bite all day, the bigger fish behave more like walleyes and bite best under low-light conditions – both early in the morning and during the last hour or two before dusk. by Jim Uran. Learn how to register your vessel, boating laws and more. One of the ways I keep my ice fishing simple is by focusing most of my ‘searching for panfish energy’ to one area. Lack of mobility in ice fishing makes finding and staying on top of fish the biggest barrier to success (catching!). Some of the best crappie weedlines consist of coontail or cabbage and are located in water that is 6 to 8 feet deep. Ice fishing rods may not be expensive, but beginners will have to figure out many nuances in this, and it will be difficult to do without assistance. Lakes that used to be panfish hotspots are becoming public knowledge and becoming over-fished. Fox River Bait & Tackle offers an amazing array of ice fishing jigs in numerous styles, sizes, and colors for targeting panfish. Fishing rods are measured from tip to butt, and the most common ones run between six and eight feet. For panfish, a few classes of gear deserve priority. Composition and Construction Professional guide, Tony Roach, walks through 4 of his top rod setups that match the ideal power and action to the chosen presentation -- usually small jigs, spoons, and lipless crankbaits that range between 1/16- to 1/64th-ounce. Live bait is not necessary for weedline crappies. ICE FISHING TOURNAMENT SCHEDULE FOR THIS WEEKEND . Ice fishing is well under way on some great panfish lakes in the Midwest. On many lakes, there is no shortage of perch, but finding the right-sized fish can be challenging. Big sunfish can be pinpointed by understanding three variables – water clarity, vegetation, and bottom composition. Ice fishing for crappie is paramount to ice fishermen across the ice belt and we give you the 3 key tips for crappie slab success. Strength and abundance are the most attractive attributes of sunfish. If you are a person that lives in the far north who LOVES to eat delicious bluegills or crappies, you may want to try out the exciting sport of ice fishing. It looks like a swimming bluegill, shiner or crappie minnow. AN INTRO TO ICE FISHING FOR PANFISH BY: JESSE JAMES PIONTEK. Ultimate Panfish Kit18 Jigs SAVE $4.02 WHEN YOU BUY THE KIT INSTEAD OF BUYING JIGS INDIVIDUALLY. $3.49 . Over the past decade, the technological improvements in ice fishing have been astounding. Anything larger is unnecessary for ice fishing, and anything smaller should be reserved for small panfish. Ice fishing tackle for bluegill and panfish. $12.98 $ 12 . Of the live bait for ice fishing (especially when targeting panfish), minnows are … The first thing to do if you’re considering taking the family ice fishing is figure out what body of water you can visit that has a good population of panfish. Plan your next fishing and boating adventure here. Mimic plankton with a tungsten jig and soft plastic to catch crappies and keep the pod active. ⚠ Before you head to the water check the latest COVID-19 updates. Once a school is located, the fish are usually aggressive, unlike finicky basin crappies. Improve your crappie ice fishing skills with expert tips on how to locate schools, crappie jigging techniques, and taking advantage of … While weedline crappies can be caught throughout the winter, the bite is best during early and late ice. Some lakes and ponds have all three species, though one may be more prevalent than the others. McKeon "Keys" Roberts shares 2 proven presentations for early ice panfish, how to choose lakes with the best potential, and how to read newly formed ice for safety. Ken Schultz was a longtime staff writer for Field & Stream magazine and is the former Fishing Editor of ESPNoutdoors.com. … On that day of ice fishing, my sons and I were using a fluorocarbon line of 4-pound test with the diameter of 2-pound test and the breaking strength of close to 6-pound test. Subscribe to our Newsletter and get all the information you need to learn, plan, and equip for your next fishing adventure. SHELTER. Quality fishing tackle, great prices & great service. December 5, 2017 at 7:10 pm #1733111. He’s written and photographed nineteen books on sportfishing topics, plus an annual fishing tips calendar., and his writing has appeared on various websites for nearly two decades. The whole crew can be involved, and chances for everyone to enjoy success are pretty good, especially if your chosen angling location is one with a good population of panfish species, i.e. Shop quality Ice Fishing Soft Baits at FishUSA. If you go ice fishing panfish in mid-winter and you want to have more fun catching fish you want to be mobile and use the tools that help you accomplish that. In this situation, perch are feeding on small crayfish, not larvae. Northland Fishing Tackle® pro Brian “Bro” Brosdahl shares tackle tips to catch more panfish. These areas tend to be productive longer into the ice-fishing season. AN INTRO TO ICE FISHING FOR PANFISH BY: JESSE JAMES PIONTEK. For many anglers, ice fishing for panfish has become not just a pastime for most but a passion. Get Your Fish On. Ice fishing is a time-honored sport. First ice produces some of the hottest ice-fishing for panfish. Not everyone has the ability to pick from a number of different bodies of water, so you may have to go with what’s closest to you or where you have access. t Fishing bluegills and panfish through the ice “Hard water” fishing for panfish is fun and easy and may result in a fine dinner when the winds blow cold. In fact, it’s not uncommon for the bite to come to a screeching halt once the sun goes down. But there’s nothing more dependable on any body of water than ice fishing with live bait. No early sign up required. These jumbo perch are cannibalistic, so match the hatch with a Berkley® Gulp!® Ice Minnow. "Early in the season your best friend is a spud bar. Species such as perch, bluegill, crappie, and walleye are several of the top fish species for anglers to target under the ice in Ohio. Select a state to find fishing and boating information: Get started fishing today, purchase your fishing license online, check regulations and more. You can also keep a package of artificial ice fishing bait inside your coat pocket very easily to stay mobile. The Berkley® PowerBait® Atomic Mite is a perfect presentation as anglers can jig aggressively and hop from hole to hole. Bluegill – Fair: Use a small jig tipped with a waxworm or Cold water panfish aren't always waiting with mouths agape for any clumsily offered morsel. Early season perch often position themselves on the first shoreline break. The Berkley Perch Minnows are perfect ice fishing lures for panfish and ice trouts. Fly fishing techniques. If you’re looking to catch panfish including perch or bluegill and want to use micro baits, then you should look at getting an ultralight ice fishing rod 18-24 inches in length. Many ice anglers have become accustomed to monitoring the behavior of suspended crappies with sonar, often toying with them like a video game. Obviously you can spend time teaching the kids how to fish for panfish, but if they’re cold or miserable, what they’ll learn is what they don’t like. There's always a big rush to get out on the ice as soon as it forms across the ice belt, and while it can be some of the best panfish fishing of the year, it shouldn't come at a deadly cost. Big Green Lake A popular recreational lake year-round, the entirety of this Canadian geese haven doesn’t completely ice over as soon as its northern neighbors. Once winter settles in and ice begins to form, giant schools of panfish will begin the process of migrating shallow to gorge out during the early winter months.