How to Use Sonar for Ice Fishing
Imagine having "X-ray vision" at your disposal every time you step onto the ice in an attempt to catch fish. If you could see what lies beneath the several inches of ice, your odds of finding and potentially catching fish improve significantly. Employing sonar technology while ice fishing is an effective approach. The sonar device will essentially arm you with "X-ray vision," as it provides you with valuable data such as water depth and fish movement beneath the surface.
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Things You'll Need
- Sonar unit with transducer
- Ice auger
- Ice fishing equipment
- Portable ice house (optional)
Instructions
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1
Choose what type of sonar system will best suit your fishing needs. Sonar devices may be purchased in standard or deep-range versions, with different transducer styles. Consider what kind of fishing (open water or ice fishing) you do most often. Sonar devices can be manufactured as open water use only, or both open water and ice fishing use. According to Vexilar Marine Electronics, a recommended portable sonar that may be used in a boat or an ice fishing setup is a pack system (see Reference 1).
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Study how the sonar device functions. The most up-to-date models will provide an instructional video explaining the basics. Sonar systems operate on the principle of sending sound waves into the water, in an effort to discover energy frequencies beneath the surface. This variation of data received will then be displayed as a readout on your sonar device's LCD or TV screen.
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3
Clear away the snow to gain access to the ice. Initially, the sonar unit will be able to shoot signals through the ice when the transponder is placed on it. Use this method to locate a suitable fishing location by studying the data received on the sonar unit. Then, drill a hole into the ice and prepare the sonar device to locate fish.
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Drop the transponder wire into the freshly drilled hole. Set the gain control on the device consistently to enable an effective presentation of color on the flasher display. Fish have a specific frequency the sound waves will identify, and they'll typically appear on the graph or flasher as colors moving up and down.
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Tips & Warnings
Study a lake map to assist in locating underwater structures that may be holding fish.
Introduce your transponder into multiple holes in an effort to discover the best fishing locations.
Always survey the ice surface to ensure it's strong enough to hold both you and your fishing equipment. The U.S. Army recommends never going out onto an ice surface alone (see Reference 2).
