Fish For Life 0 Report post Posted December 28, 2014 I primarily want to know for ice fishing trout and whitefish. What kind of insects are under the ice all winter long? Thanks Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Philly 0 Report post Posted December 28, 2014 If you're ice fishing you're better off using live bait, minnows on a tip up or jigged with a flashy spoon for the trout. Also small jigs tipped with maggots or wax worms will also work for both trout and whitefish. There should be some active insects most likely Chironomids and zooplankton like Daphnia. But you're talking small. Various bead head midges and there are small micro jigs designed to imitate the Daphnia. The majority of insects hunker down and are inactive during the winter Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
shoebop 0 Report post Posted December 28, 2014 I primarily want to know for ice fishing trout and whitefish. What kind of insects are under the ice all winter long? Thanks The short answer is...all of them! All of the larvae are alive and active during the winter months and probably make up the majority of the diet for trout as well as panfish and others. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Fish For Life 0 Report post Posted December 29, 2014 If you're ice fishing you're better off using live bait, minnows on a tip up or jigged with a flashy spoon for the trout. Also small jigs tipped with maggots or wax worms will also work for both trout and whitefish. There should be some active insects most likely Chironomids and zooplankton like Daphnia. But you're talking small. Various bead head midges and there are small micro jigs designed to imitate the Daphnia. The majority of insects hunker down and are inactive during the winter Im not allowed to use live bait fish in Alberta. Also jigs rather big for the whitefish. I should have stated that its mountain whitefish not lake whitefish that im targeting. Also is is most likely that i will be adding something like a maggot to the fly. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
flytire 0 Report post Posted December 29, 2014 What kind of insects are under the ice all winter long? the same ones are there all year long. they dont go to florida like us snowbirds do when it gets cold Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
corney 0 Report post Posted December 29, 2014 I have good luck tying leech patterns on jig heads through the ice. Hauling my shack out today, had a mild spell and the ice wasn't safe. Colder than a witches tatas today! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Fish For Life 0 Report post Posted December 29, 2014 Ya i understand that there all still down there but some must be more dominant than others. Or am i wrong? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
RoyalRenegade 0 Report post Posted January 15, 2015 Worms! But ya got to keep them warm! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites