Fishing fanatics love Kootenai Country Montana! And that includes ice fishing. Our lakes are not usually that crowded anyway, but in winter there are even less folks out on the ice. It’s a beautiful feeling to be enjoying the quiet stillness of winter, while challenging ones self to a test of fishing skill. Nothing like a drill and chill...
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The landlocked Kokanee Salmon (Oncorhynchus nerka) have a delicate mouth structure which is part of the challenge. When a fisherperson feels the gentle bite, they must lift the rod tip moderately or risk losing the fish. Plus in winter, fish metabolism is slow and they can be particular about taking bait, which also adds to the challenge of catching Kokanee in northwest Montana. These fish are landlocked sockeye salmon, which are a Pacific salmon, introduced, and the only salmon produced in Montana waters. They are often called silver salmon. Silvers do well in cold, clear lakes and reservoirs. They have tiny black specks on the back, a moderately forked tail, and an anal fin that is longer than tall with 13 or more rays. They generally head up creeks and streams to spawn. While spawning, female Kokanee varies from red to dark green and sometimes have yellow blotches. Spawning males are mostly reddish, with a dark green head.
Kokanee are an extremely popular fish in Kootenai Country Montana and are excellent baked, fried, smoked, grilled or canned. Late winter season can be good fishing, as silvers are plankton feeders and warming trends and more sunlight mean growth. And growth means Kokanee salmon that are beginning to get more active. Just remember that ice conditions can be tricky during late ice fishing season. Do anything and everything to make sure you do not go through the ice, and if you do, be prepared to fight your way out. Take it from someone who knows.
Each lake fishes a little differently, and general weather patterns can affect fishing strategy. Also, on some lakes the bite occurs in the morning between 3 a.m. and 9 a.m., some lakes have salmon hitting intermittently during the day, and some lakes are prone to evening bites. For instance, one lake towards the end of ice fishing season may have silvers in shallow waters, but another will have them hanging two to twelve feet off the bottom. Strategy for fishing the bottom is to release line until you are real close to the bottom, then start jigging as you work your way up.
Preferred lures and baits include using an attractor such as any small vertical jigging spoon with bright, glowing color schemes, and with a glow hook or jig tied 3-inches below it. Also, small red / pink lures and jigs with baits will work. There are a lot on the market and ask the friendly folks at your local sporting goods stores their advice as to what is working recently. Bait the hooks with corn, maggots, grubs, salmon eggs, marshmallows, or worms and squirt with shrimp or fish oil. A person can also try tube jigs in silver / red, red and white, or rainbow colors, and flashtrap spinners.
It is actually a relatively small investment to set up with the basics for ice fishing. Immediate needs are a 5-8” hand ice auger, a scoop for clearing your holes, a couple of short poles with spinning reels, jigs, bucket and bait. So get on out there on one of our beautiful lakes, and take in the winter peace. Drill, chill, and fill your day with the magic of Kootenai Country Montana!
(Author’s Note: Reference Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks Publication.)
