A Lindy Toad proved irresistabe to this big bluegill for Minnesota fishing guide Jeff Sundin.Because I haven't spent an enormous amount of time ice-fishing, every day on a frozen lake provides new experiences and understanding of the sport's strategies. Most recently, I spent a couple of days in northern Minnesota, learning how to target bluegills, yellow perch and crappie (or crappies, as they say in Minnesota) and gathering photos of the same species.
Beyond the obvious need to downsize baits and gear from what you'd use for walleyes, bass or pike, targeting panfish involves picking the right lake and the right part of the lake. We focused on the edges of deep holes in smaller waters and used a run-and-gun sort of strategy, drilling lots holes and doing quite a bit of searching with flashers. We also looked for suspended fish, which were feeding more actively than fish on the bottom. Our most productive lures included Lindy Toads, Lindy Bugs and Micro Slick Jigs, all matched with plastics, fresh bait or both.
My next hard-water outing will be at Devils Lake in North Dakota, with walleyes and yellow perch as the main attractions.
