Hey,

 

 Saw some folks who seem to be ready to jump onto the lake and wet their lines as soon as there's a bit of ice off of the lake. How soon do you guys go out fishing once it starts melting? And I am assuming you are fishing deep at this time?

I can work jigs really really slowly from the front of my boat soon as there is open water lol but I'm the most impatient person I know.

But I'll admit soon as the water temp hits 50-55 the action really ramps up. Specially that 55 mark can really get into those moving baits I.e. Crankbaits spinnerbaits etc.

As soon as I can safely launch the boat. Brian.

Usually I start fishing on a regular basis around the middle of March. 

As of right now, those of us in Michigan have to wait until the Bass season opens. Which is currently at the end of April. The DNR commision will hopefully be changing that to a year round catch and release with harvesting beginning at the end of May

As soon as it is safe to launch, have gone out before and used the boat to break skim ice up so we had a place to cast.

Immediately. Even if I don't catch anything, I start working on casting practice if nothing's biting. Ice out is the beginning of a great year. 

Here in MA, we have about 2' of solid ice on the ponds, along with about 1 1/2' of snow on top of that! I seriously doubt that there will be any open water before the end of this month. And that of course would be best case scenario IF the daytime temps consistently stay above 40 degrees. That being said, as soon as the launch ramps are open and there is sufficient fishable water, we'll be out there.

Like some have said, as soon as there is open water I will start fishing essentially a winter pattern.

 I will go fishing as soon as there is enough water for me to cast. At that time I am fishing a suspended jerkbait or most likely a jig. I have fished ponds that still were half frozen over with a foot of ice and had good luck. It can get a little interesting dodging icebergs or having the wind shift pushing the ice sheet towards you but as long as there is open water you can catch bass. Quality fish too.

As soon as my boat can go in the water instead of on top of it. I have a spot in a cove where the main stream comes into my home lake that I just kill em at first ice out. That bite only lasts for about 2-3 weeks though but it's litterally the best bite of the year.

As soon as the ice finishes melting .

Temps will hit 59 tomorrow

and guess who will be out there with jigs and jerkbaits

I've had my boat out before when there's still been sections of ice on the lake. Unfortunately in WI there is a closed season for anything other than panfish and a few other rough fish until the first full weekend in May so usually I'm just running around the lake making sure that everything on my boat is in order after it slept for the last 6 months. I usually start panfishing a few weeks after the ice is out, but I fish for bass in the fall until the lakes ice over, so if I could, I'd be fishing for them as soon as the ice comes off. 

I fish Castle Rock in Wisconsin as soon as the ice pulls back from shore. That lake is considered part of the river system, so there isn't a closed season. The bass aren't very cooperative, but the walleye and occasional Muskie keep my interest until they get active.

Well now that the weather has been in the sixties for the last three days, basically whenever I get a few hours.

The rivers and creeks will be fishable any time now as long as they don't blow up from rain & runoff. As soon as the ice is off the lakes they're in play. 

My home lake is relatively small. The Northeast warms up first and the ice melts enough to be broken up, then one good day of north to south winds can open the entire lake in a day. It is awesome to watch the lake come back to life. I am usually out there that day or the next day. Obviously I would be stoked to be catching lots of fish, but I use the ultra clear water (prior to aquatic treatment) to research the movements of all my new baits bought over the winter. That way, come warmer temps I am confident in my new baits. 

I have been on the lake when parts of it are still ice covered.

Seriously considering bringing my ski poles so I can scootch the kayak across the ice with them until I get to open water haha

 

 

Not really, but the minute I can launch the yak from shore I'll be out there!  

AS SOON as I can get my boat in...its on till the lake is froze again....

Ice? What the heck is this ice thing you're talking about?

80 degrees and sunny today. Nice breeze keepin it cool.

as soon as there open water! like others have said,  i've caught some quality fish with half the pond frozen and half thawed.  

I fish anytime the water is soft...

 

 

 

 

Ice? What the heck is this ice thing you're talking about?


80 degrees and sunny today. Nice breeze keepin it cool.

 

Where the heck you been Eric ?