Ice Fishing in the Frozen North

March 21, 2011 10:41 AM

So, I'm a Canadian eh. Icefishing season is still going strong for another week and a half or so, and I'd like to wrangle a few jackfish out of the local lake. Does anyone have any advice on doing this? I live on the lake, which is awfully convenient, and I've caught jackfish there before, so I know that they're down there. Now what's the easiest way to get them above the ice?
posted by Stagger Lee to Sports, Hobbies, & Recreation (6 answers total)

Wikipedia leads me to believe that up there they call Northern Pike "Jackfish", is this right?

If so, the easiest was is with a couple of tip-ups and live bait, generally suckers or whatever forage fish your lake has. I have no idea about the laws up there, but I assume you can use tip-ups.
posted by sanka at 11:01 AM on March 21, 2011

Thanks! You're right, I didn't know that was a regional thing.

Clarification:
Northern Pike, Slough Sharks, JackFish, Gator Heads, whatever, they're the big toothy things that eat all the other fish.

More clarifications:
Live Bait is not legal. Tip ups are a-okay!
posted by Stagger Lee at 11:04 AM on March 21, 2011

I've used tip-ups with cutbait as well. Cut shad and salted tulibee can be magic on some lakes in Minnesota.
posted by sanka at 11:05 AM on March 21, 2011

check this forum
posted by canoehead at 11:21 AM on March 21, 2011

Frozen minnows work well too...
posted by liquado at 11:37 AM on March 21, 2011

In case anyone is interested, I found this. Seems to be a lot of discussion about catching the things there.

Thanks to those that answered.
posted by Stagger Lee at 10:19 AM on March 24, 2011