Winter fishing in put and take

Winter fishing means different things depending on where in the country you stand. Where the ice has formed you ice-fish for rainbow trout and Arctic char. On southern waters, which often stay ice-free all winter, you fish as usual, with spinning, bait fishing and fly. In other words: “in winter you ice-fish” does not apply everywhere, but depends entirely on the ice where you are.

Safe ice first. Never walk on uncertain ice. Black ice should be at least about 10 cm for one person, the ice even and checked, and you should never go alone. Wear ice picks and an ice pike, and always check local ice conditions. Read more under safe ice.

On ice-covered waters – ice fishing

When the ice holds you ice-fish for salmonids. Rainbow trout is an active hunter that likes to take a balance jig at pace, and a short ice rod of 2 to 3 feet with a small reel is an advantage, because it can make long runs under the ice and then you need to give line. Arctic char is often taken on an Arctic char spoon with cooked shrimp or maggot, or on a mormyshka fished with small, controlled movements a bit off the bottom. Drill several holes and search different depths until you find the fish, instead of sitting on one hole all day. The first session sits under the first ice-fishing trip. The technique for rainbow trout we go through under ice fishing for rainbow trout, Arctic char under the ice under ice fishing for Arctic char.

New ice and the end of the season are their own traps: first ice when it forms, spring ice when it lets go.

On ice-free waters – open water

Many southern put-and-take waters in for example Skåne, Blekinge and Halland stay ice-free large parts of the winter. Then you fish as usual, only slower. Spinning and bait fishing work well in cool water, and fly fishing goes well with a slow, deep presentation. Leave summer’s dry-fly fishing at home, though: winter is about slow streamers and nymphs. The fish is sluggish in the cold, so count on fewer but firm takes, and have patience between them.

Dress for the cold

Winter fishing is still and often windy, so you get cold faster than you think. Dress in proper layers, with windproof outermost, and bring warm mittens and something to sit on. A warm drink in the thermos does more for the fishing than you might think, because a frozen angler quickly gives up. If you are warm and comfortable you last through the sluggish spells until the fish takes.

The other seasons

Spring and autumn are the most active times, see spring fishing and the season overview. More about Arctic char, winter’s star, sits under Arctic char.