When ice first goes off Atikwa the best thing to do is fish white 1/8 1/4 oz jig heads with a white twister tail. Cast and slowly reel in or jig aggressively back and enjoy the hit. Fish the mouths of bays, and even back into the bay. They stay in shallow water until it gets over 60 degrees. If you like trolling make sure your lure is at least 100’ behind boat and use small colorful crankbaits that go 10’-20’ down or colorful spoons in orange and silver hammered or blues and silver. Biggest mistake people make early is believing the trout are down deep. Sometimes you can see them on the locator at 80’ but those aren’t the ones hitting. Vertical jig white twister tails, diver vibes and Heddon Sonars off points or mouths of big bays. Northern will be in shallow bays and off points. Don’t be throwing giant lures you’ve seen on videos where they were fishing in September. Subtle fishing with rapala husky jerks, red and white and 5 of diamonds spoons. Also the great jig and white twister tails. 2 years ago I was guiding and slowly trolling 1/8 oz twister tails and we caught 2 40” fat northern at the same time coming around a point. Understanding boat control and where ur lure is in relationship to the bottom is key. Walleye will be shallow, shallow, wherever there is moving water, or structure along shore line. Main lake u need to troll crawler harnesses until u can find them. Then use jig/crawler,leech combos. Do not bring minnows due to they die too quickly, salted minnows work but I like crawlers or even Calamari strips. DO NOT USE BRAIDED LINE OF ANY KIND EXCEPT FOR NORTHERN AND MUSKY AND EVEN THEN I HATE IT! You will catch 10-1 trout/walleye using mono instead of braid. And mono doesn’t ruin lower units on outboards or does it make eagles, otters, osprey, beaver etc. have terrible, tortured deaths getting tangled in that crap.
Cheers! Todd
