This winter, I’ve had a chance to
fish some Wisconsin farm ponds in Dane, Columbia, and Sauk
Counties. These ponds are often under-fished and can provide
some great winter ice fishing opportunities for bluegills,
crappies, and even largemouth bass. Read my story and column
this week to get in on the action!
Anglers who live in agricultural areas in the Midwest are
often familiar with farm ponds since they are relatively
common and many of us have grown up fishing these kinds
of waters. Ponds are found in much of Wisconsin and the
Upper Midwest states of Minnesota, Illinois, and Michigan.
Many of these ponds are natural having been formed by underground
springs and dammed creeks. But, most ponds have been dredged
or dug by the owners of the land for their own recreation
and wildlife habitat. The best ways to find these ponds
are; 1) drive around the countryside looking for these waters,
2) get a topographical map of the area you’re interested
in and do some exploring which usually means walking, 3)
talk to landowners and farmers asking if they may have a
pond or know of one in the area that you could fish, and
4) talk to other anglers who are familiar with the area
where you’re looking. The best way, in my opinion
is to get some good topographic maps and start exploring
on your own.
The best time to look for and find these ponds is during
the summer or fall when you’re out hunting or walking.
You’ll find landowners who might not let you fish
during the summer or during the hunting seasons, but will
let you fish in the winter. Often, these ponds are saved
for the family and friends during the open water seasons.
But, wait till deer season is over and there’s snow
on the ground before you ask to ice fish. I’ve found
people who will let me fish, but I have to release all I
catch or all but a few fish. While there is other landowners
who don’t care how many fish you catch and keep. But
if I had a good day fishing their pond, I’d offer
them some fresh, cleaned fish for their enjoyment.
I know a local farmer who has a great little pond (about
5 acres) which is full of nice size bluegills, sunfish,
crappies, and a few largemouth bass. In the past, we’ve
(me and some volunteers) gotten a permit from the DNR to
buy and release fish and forage in the pond. This is a pond
that I and a group of counselors and teachers use for a
program called “Hooked on Fishing Not Drugs.”
Check your state regulations for stocking rules in your
area. Most states require a permit for the pond stocking
so that the DNR knows what is being put in state waters,
especially with all the invasive species that are ruining
many lakes, rivers and streams. The states must have control
of what is being put in its waters.
Ponds also have a way of stocking themselves with waterfowl
and other water birds carrying fish and eggs to the pond.
Ducks often get fish eggs on their feet and bodies and accidentally
stock ponds. Buying smaller panfish and gamefish from wholesalers
and fish farmers is another way to stock a pond and by far
the quickest and easiest. The pond that I help stock with
bluegills and crappies (3 to 5”) for some children
events are relatively cheap and have done well in the pond.
We also make sure that some small minnows are always added
for food in case the natural forage present is not sufficient
for the fish numbers. This pond has been stocked every other
year for 5 years and now there are 10 to 12” crappies
and bluegills from 7 to 9 “.A majority of the fish
are released and the number of fish taken out for eating
is very minimal.
If you have a pond or access to one be sure and drill all
your ice fishing holes first, so you won’t spook the
fish later in the day. Try hopping from hole to hole till
you find a hot and productive one. It’s nice to bring
a flasher (Lowrance) or camera (Acqua-View) with so that
you can map out the pond and know what you have for depth
and structure. Hopefully, there are trees, wood, weeds,
or brush in the pond and around it. Any structure is good
structure in a farm pond. Many pond owners will put Christmas
trees on ice, so that they sink and provide cover and structure
later in the year for open-water fishing.
Looking for farm ponds to fish is something you can do year-round.
When hunting or walking in the woods, remember where you
saw those ponds you walked by and around. These waters can
also be fall hot spots for duck hunting too.
If you find a pond to fish try these simple techniques.
Use 2 to 4 # test Berkley Ice line with a barrel swivel
on the end to prevent line twist, then tie on a foot to
18 inches of Berkley Vanish fluorocarbon line with a small
ice fishing jig, and finally a wax worm or spike on a sensitive
rod about 2 or 2 ½ feet long. Always have a spring
bobber on the end of your rod to detect the light biters.
A spring bobber is one of the most important things to have
when ice fishing for panfish and particularly light-biting
bluegills. Have a good jig assortment in different sizes
and colors and keep changing till you find the jig that
works best that day. If you have water that is over 8 to
10 feet, a small split shot may be added above the swivel
to keep your line vertical. Then, dress the jig with a couple
of wax worms or spikes. Use different jigging cadences or
speeds till you find the one the fish want. Some days, plastics
like Gulp and Power Bait will out fish live bait so always
have some for those times. The more active the fish are
the more likely they will like artificials, like Gulp.
Pond fishing can be great in the winter especially if you
find one that you have to yourself with a good population
of fish. Most ponds are stocked with bluegills and crappies,
but largemouth bass are also a good fish for stocking into
ponds and seem to exist well with panfish. Last week, I
and a couple of friends were surprised when we caught some
nice 4 to 5 pond largemouth while fishing for bluegills.
The bass were caught on the light tackle that we were using
for the ‘gills, so you can imagine the fight! We ended
up with 5 bass and all but one was caught on the bluegill
gear. The other largemouth was caught on a tip-up with a
large shiner. The bass season in Wisconsin lasts till March
1st and then closes till May 2nd when the general fishing
season opens in southern Wisconsin.
You may see some of the farm pond fish on my website,
www.garyengbergoutdoors.com.
There are photos and a video, so check it out. What’s
better than a few bluegill fillets frying in a cast iron
skillet after fishing in the cold of winter?! Talk about
good.
