How to Trap Minnows Through the Ice
One of the best baits to use while ice fishing is minnows. It's usually easier to get these at a bait store, but sometimes you won't be able to stop by the bait store. In these cases, you'll need to catch minnows yourself before ice fishing. It's simple to do this, as long as a minnow supply is available and you have the right equipment.
Other People Are Reading
Things You'll Need
- Minnow trap
- Minnow bait, such as bread crumbs
- Ice pick or heavy rock to break ice
Instructions
-
-
1
Locate a supply of minnows. Minnows are harder to find in the winter, but you should be able to find some in shallow running streams, or near the coast of a lake. If these streams or the lake has frozen completely solid, there's a good chance you can't catch minnows there, so move on or wait until spring.
-
2
Break the ice with an ice pick or a heavy stone. Create a hole big enough to fit your minnow trap in, generally at least 6 inches in diameter.
-
-
3
Bait the minnow trap with bread crumbs or another food that minnows enjoy. Place the minnow trap down in the hole you've created in the ice. Lower it at least a foot deep. Anchor the minnow trap to the shore, or with a small buoy if available.
-
4
Retrieve the trap after a half an hour to see if you've caught any minnows. If not, you may need to move to a better location. If you have, empty the trap and place it back into the water until you've caught enough minnows to satisfy your needs.
-
1
