This makes it very easy to pinpoint their moves and locations. The first thing we need to do to put together a successful game plan is to take a map and mark the areas we wish to target. I use two tools to do this my Accunav hand held GPS and a map. If I am familiar with the lake from the open water season, I simply transfer the data I have that mark underwater points, deep weed edges and submerged humps into my Accunav . Once downloaded and the understanding that the fish will be using the areas I just outlined, then I really need to scope out the area and check out my conditions.
First ice can really present a myriad of conditions, much like open water.
If the ice is milky and light penetration is inhibited then I need to take very few precautions against spooking fish. However if the ice is clear and I can see through it, then we need to compensate. I do this one of two ways. If there is snow on the ground, I drag a sled of it with me out to the holes. I spread the snow around me so that fish cannot see my silhouette up on the ice.