Drunken Fish and Why Is Fishing Best When There's Ice Cover?
By Naomi K. Shapiro
 All across the northern tier of the United States, and
across Canada, as lakes, impoundments and rivers freeze, millions of
fisherpeople trot out their trusty tip-ups, and small rods and reels -- and --
as soon as the ice is safe enough to support their weight, move out onto the
"hard water" for a chance to bring in walleye, northern, bass, panfish, perch,
and whatever else is in "the neighborhood".
But have you ever wonder why fish behave the way they do
under the ice? And why do first and last ice seem to provide the best action
for "hard water" anglers? Here are some "answers" from a Wisconsin DNR News &
Outdoor Report:
"Fishing is particularly good at first ice and then again
near ice out...", notes Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR)
fisheries supervisor, Randy Schumacher, "(but) biologists don't know exactly why
the fishing is so hot at first ice -- and, conversely, at ice-out -- but, they
all seem to have their own theories."
Schumacher believes a combination of factors may be at
work:
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Fish know it's time to feed to get them through the
hard winter ahead, so they actively feed.
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There's more food available at this time than later in
the season.
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Ice cover prevents waves from whipping up, keeping
algae and bottom sediment movement to a minimum, so fish see their prey
better.
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The clear ice (before snow cover has had a chance to
block out the sun) allows a maximum amount of sunlight to reach the green
plants below -- and the plants create heavy oxygenation of the water. This
oxygenation means more active fish, as the oxygen does not escape to the
atmosphere. Indeed, the fish sometimes appear to be "lightheaded" for a
while -- and swim on their sides just below the new ice because of too much
oxygen. Each year, this early ice phenomenon has ice anglers reporting
"drunken fish" to the DNR, Schumacher says.
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Another reason fishing seems so good at first ice is
that the fish move to warmer, deeper water, congregating in a smaller area,
giving anglers more chances to catch them, and thus better fishing than
usual.
Mike Vogelsang, a DNR Fisheries Supervisor for several
northern Wisconsin counties (including Vilas County), notes: Once you get ice
cover, and even a little snow, the fishing starts to heat up; but then things
tail off from late January through March. It's really dark under the ice, says
Vogelsang, adding, the fish are a little less spooky; they feel a little safer
with that ceiling over their head.
 Recent Wisconsin DNR creel surveys show that anglers haul
in some of the year's biggest walleyes in January. Perch, bluegills, bass, and
northern pike are also targets, and come late February into March, the crappies
turn on big time. As the ice melts, "holes" are formed, which allow
sun-produced, heavily-oxygenated flowing water to move into these "holes", which
are right under the ice. The crappies love these warmer, oxygen-laden areas,
and move high up the water column, congregating just below the ice cap. That's
why, near ice-out, mega-catches of big slab crappies often occur, literally just
below the ice cap.
During the winter, and especially after snow cover has
blocked sunlight from permeating the ice sheet, Vogelsang notes that, because
fish are cold-blooded, their metabolism works slower, and they're slower. Go
with a lighter line, smaller hooks, and smaller bait; scale everything way down,
Vogelsang advises.
As for safety, the fisheries supervisors remind ice anglers
to always heed the adage: "There is no such thing as safe ice." According to
the Wisconsin DNR note, anglers choosing to venture out on the ice (especially
early and late ice) need to be extremely cautious, and are advised to check with
local authorities, bait shops, or area guides on ice conditions.
Top safety precautions include: Don't go out alone; carry a
cell phone; wear proper clothing and equipment (including some type of flotation
gear); wear creepers attached to boots to prevent slippage; carry a couple of
spike nails and a length of rope; know if the water you're on has springs,
inlets, outlets or narrows that have currents; and, look for clear ice, which is
generally stronger than ice with air bubbles or snow cover on it.
For more information, the Wisconsin DNR can be reached at
608-267-7517; http://dnr.wi.gov
Naomi K. Shapiro is a Madison, Wisconsin-based travel and
outdoor writer specializing in fishing, nature, and soft adventure. E-mail:
cre8vNaomi@charter.net
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