TIP-UP TIME!
For tackling big northern pike through the ice, this classic set-up is a great wintertime go-to
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Late winter is when tip-ups are most effective for catching big northernsWHERE & WHEN
Tip-ups can work throughout the entire ice-fishing season for catching pike. You can even set one up near the areas where you’re fishing for perch or walleye, allowing you to catch the occasional northern that has also homed in on your quarry. The prime time to target northerns with tip-ups, however, is during the latter portion of the ice-fishing season in late February and early March. During that time, in fact, I catch more and bigger pike using tip-ups than I do by jigging.
During this later period, pike move towards shallower areas where they’ll stage and bulk up prior to spawning. To target those pike with tip-ups, look for water in the five- to 20-foot range, on the shallow side of ledges leading to steep drop-offs, as well as near sandbars, rocky points, sunken islands and weedbeds. As well, try setting up near known pike spawning areas, such as creek mouths and shallow bays.
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