NEBRASKAland Magazine is dedicated to outstanding photography and informative writing with an engaging mix of articles and photos highlighting Nebraska’s outdoor activities, parklands, wildlife, history and people.
Issue link: http://mag.outdoornebraska.gov/i/644631
For best tasting catfish, catch them through the ice or during the thaw of spring. Story and photos by Julie Geiser 44 NEBRASKAland • MARCH 2016 C atfishing can be done year- round, but I prefer catfish through the ice. Yes, the days of set lines and 10-pound plus test line on a heavy rod can bring in monster catfish, but for the dinner table, I prefer a wintery catch. The last days of ice in March can provide just that, and the fishing remains just as hot once the water opens back up. Catfish meat is more firm in the winter when the water is cold. Catfish caught in the summer tend to be mushy, although I've been told by several anglers to simply put my summer catch on ice to replicate my icy-water catch. Almost any of Nebraska's small ponds, lakes or interstate lakes can produce a limit of catfish. For short trips close to home grab the essentials: ice auger, auger gas, sled to carry supplies, ice cleats, bait, tip- ups or rods and reels, extra hooks and fishing equipment, needle-nose pliers for removing hooks, an ice hut for those bitter cold days, a heater, life jackets, 20 feet of rope, a throw cushion for safety, and a couple gallon buckets for sitting on and for storing supplies, snacks and fish. I keep all our equipment on the sleds in the garage so they are ready to go on a whim, adding to the supply list if we make longer trips. Fishing for panfish is fun with ice fishing rods and reels, but for bigger catfish tip-ups with braided line of 20 to 30-pound test and a treble hook loaded with smelt for bait are a must; the legal limit is five tip-ups per person. Tip-ups allow anglers to fish multiple holes at the same time, at varying depths if needed, and at different positions on drop-offs or other structures. When a fish takes the bait the flag on the tip-up goes up in the air, then the race to get the fish is on. Using sonar systems is a good way to find fish under the ice; drill a couple holes, put the sonar down for a look and either move on or start fishing. Mark your "honey holes" with GPS to be able to go back to them each winter. When spring fills the air and the frozen waters thaw, switching gear is as simple as changing out the tip-ups for a medium action rod and reel and six-pound test line or heavier for cold water catfishing. Do this from a boat or the bank on reservoirs or small ponds. The water will still be cold this time of year, meaning that catfish meat will be firm for the dinner table. ■ Tom Geiser prepares the tip-ups by placing store-bought smelt on the treble hook before setting the flag and dropping the line.