Ice Fishing Standards?

Beckler · Dec 14, 2015

Was wondering if you guys lower your standards for size of the fish you would get mounted in the winter?

Kickemup · Dec 14, 2015

Nope. It's not about the size of the fish always. I have a 20lb pike on my wall that I never would of mounted if I wouldn't have caught it on 4lb test crappie fishing out of the boat.

KDM · Dec 14, 2015

Same standards for me regardless of water firmness.

MuskyManiac · Dec 15, 2015

If anything I would up the standards. Seems easier to catch a hog during ice season (particularly super late ice before the spawn) than during soft-water for me.

Bfishn · Dec 15, 2015

Same standards, and I agree with MM that you have a better chance of catching big fish through the ice. My biggest Perch, Walleye, Pike & Crappie have all come through the ice!

Tommyboy · Dec 15, 2015

Bfishn said:
Same standards, and I agree with MM that you have a better chance of catching big fish through the ice. My biggest Perch, Walleye, Pike & Crappie have all come through the ice!

Now that you mention it, all of my biggest fish have come through the ice. Maybe I should just give up on the long poles...

Brian Renville · Dec 15, 2015

What these guys said ^^^^^^

johnr · Dec 15, 2015

Bfishn said:
Same standards, and I agree with MM that you have a better chance of catching big fish through the ice. My biggest Perch, Walleye, Pike & Crappie have all come through the ice!

Agree'd, all my mounts are from the ice. I have only caught a few big eyes out of the boat, and none of them bigger than 28 1/2 inchers. Seems odd that the big girls come in through the ice more often.

dean nelson · Dec 15, 2015

I as well wouldn't lower my standards but I would probably be more likely to get a few jumbo perch caught through the ice mounted then I would the same fish in July. Not sure why probably because they are a winter fish in my mind. Plus they just look better in January laying on the snow.

Enslow · Dec 15, 2015

As long as the pike are bitin im happy.

lunkerslayer · Dec 15, 2015

How many when catching Northern cut the gills to let them bleed out before cleaning them.

Kurtr · Dec 15, 2015

lunkerslayer said:
How many when catching Northern cut the gills to let them bleed out before cleaning them.

when i seen cut the gills i thought it was going to say be fore releasing them

lunkerslayer · Dec 15, 2015

Kurtr said:
when i seen cut the gills i thought it was going to say be fore releasing them

I know, I had to fix the post to make sure to add that very important piece to the question.

Enslow · Dec 15, 2015

Bleeding them out cant hurt. I just make sure to not let the meat touch any slime.

camoman · Dec 15, 2015

KDM said:
Same standards for me regardless of water firmness.

Pretty tough to live up to a 13 lb. standard &#55357;&#56860;

johnr · Dec 15, 2015

I once tossed all my eyes into a 5 gallon bucket, they became one giant walleye popsicle the next day when I went to clean them I poured hot water into the pail, they were so slimed up I was gaging whilst cleaning them. Was one gross snotty mess, that I learned not to do again. As I type this tale I am getting that queasy feeling again

Captain Ahab · Dec 15, 2015

johnr said:
I once tossed all my eyes into a 5 gallon bucket, they became one giant walleye popsicle the next day when I went to clean them I poured hot water into the pail, they were so slimed up I was gaging whilst cleaning them. Was one gross snotty mess, that I learned not to do again. As I type this tale I am getting that queasy feeling again

I'm guessing ice cold Busch Light played a role in this next day cleaning attempt.:;:huh

7mmMag · Dec 15, 2015

I lower my standards for women in the winter. Go for the bigger girls in the winter to keep me warm. And in the summer go for the ones with the nice bodies to stare at. :;:thumbsup

Captain Ahab · Dec 15, 2015

7mmMag said:
I lower my standards for women in the winter. Go for the bigger girls in the winter to keep me warm. And in the summer go for the ones with the nice bodies to stare at. :;:thumbsup

Makes sense. I imagine it being dark longer helps as well.

johnr · Dec 15, 2015

7mmMag said:
I lower my standards for women in the winter. Go for the bigger girls in the winter to keep me warm. And in the summer go for the ones with the nice bodies to stare at. :;:thumbsup

but what do you do about the smell?

Ice Fishing Standards?

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