Especially early in the open-water season, fish are found shallow. Whether you’re talking bass, walleye, pike, or panfish, most fish are going to congregate somewhat close to shore. There are myriad reasons for this: reproductive phases, water temperature, food availability, and more. So this begs the question: What is the best way to find productive […]
From the clear natural lakes of the Iowa Great Lakes region to sprawling reservoirs and quiet farm ponds tucked into rolling farmland, Iowa offers diverse fishing opportunities in every season. Whether you’re chasing spring crappie in shallow brush, targeting walleye on windy points, or setting up over a midwinter perch school through the ice, having […]
You might have all the right gear. Like a boat loaded with electronics, high-end rods and reels, countless trays of tackle, and lively bait, but that doesn’t guarantee success. Same goes for trips rod-in-hand down the bank to primo shore fishing spots. You might be totally prepared for success with all the right tools, but […]
From the sprawling Ozark reservoirs to quiet, timber-lined farm ponds, Missouri is a bass angler’s dream with something biting in every season. Whether you’re chasing heavyweight largemouth on Table Rock Lake, probing deep structure for crappie on Truman, or tangling with blue catfish on Lake of the Ozarks, the Show-Me State delivers diverse water and […]
Everything’s bigger in South Dakota—skies, horizons, and the fishing opportunities that stretch between them. From the legendary waters of the Missouri River reservoirs to the glacial lakes tucked across the northeast and the clear, rocky fisheries of the Black Hills, the Mount Rushmore State is built for anglers who crave variety. Whether you’re hunting trophy […]
The coldest time of the winter is upon us making ice fishing a great pastime throughout much of the Upper Midwest. The onX Fish App is the best place to start when venturing out on the ice in any of the nine states that it covers: Minnesota, Wisconsin, Michigan, North Dakota, South Dakota, Indiana, Ohio, […]
How Just a Few Tactics can yield multi-species success this winter Although the angler has the same goal in mind, ice fishing and open-water fishing are worlds apart. First, when ice fishing, you’re limited to the space directly below a hole (or holes) drilled in the ice. No casting, no lateral movement with a trolling […]
The winter hardwater season can vary in length depending on where you reside in the Ice Belt. Farther south means a shorter season than far north, obviously. But the one thing all locations have in common are three distinct periods of fishing: Early Ice, that period of first ice through about the following 30 days; […]
Ice fishing is different from open-water fishing in important ways: fish are colder, metabolism is slower, light is reduced, and presentations often need to be more subtle. This is why the right bait, and the right presentation of that bait, can mean the difference between a productive outing and a long, quiet day. In the […]
For experienced anglers, success on the ice often starts long before the auger hits the surface. Scouting lakes ahead of time is key to identifying productive fishing spots, planning safe access routes, and ultimately making the most of your time outdoors. This article dives into how onX Fish empowers anglers to scout more effectively—helping you […]