Three Tips to Finding Early Spring Panfish Magic

Ultralight fishing Approach

Keeping your ice fishing jigs and line handy at the start of the spring panfish season can often put you above the rest when it comes to spring bluegill, sunnies and perch.

Tungsten jigs that have a smaller profile are invaluable in triggering a reaction bite from temperamental fish. Bouncing a waxworm or microplastic in front of them can often get even the most finicky fish in cold water to strike.

For jigs, I like to use Pro series VMC tungsten mongo jigs in 1/32 or 1/64 size, paired with a Gulp Alive! 1” minnow, under a light balsa slip float.

While you can go with heavier if necessary, one of my favourite lines to use is 2 or 3lb PLINE fluoroclear. This line makes the jig swim naturally in the water, and maximizes casting distance because of its thin, slick surface.

Any ultralight or light rod and reel combo will get it done for spring panfish, just make sure to match the length of the rod to the distance you intend to cast.

If you are dropping to perch in deep water, something in the 5’6” to 6’6” range is ideal, while if you are whipping casts to opposing shorelines, something light in the 8’ range will be perfect.

One of the first species to become accessible each spring for shore anglers is often panfish.

Here are some tips to help you find and catch more panfish this spring

Ice out Panfish in…

Some of the best days I’ve had for spring panfish aren’t in the spring at all.

Given the mild winters we have had recently, I have had good success targeting areas that lost ice as early as late-January and early-February.

Sometimes these areas re-freeze several times before the ice is gone for good, but chances are they are opening up because the water is slightly warmer, and for that reason, panfish are not far behind.

On sunny days, look for bluegill, pumpkinseed and perch to seek out rock and timber that holds even more warmth. On the flip side, when it is cloudy, these fish tend to move into deeper holes where the warmest water is still on bottom.

A time for everything

Panfish are a great warm-up for shore and boat anglers every spring, but are prone to overharvest.

With the evolution of livescope and other fishing electronics, panfish can now be exploited easier than ever before.

To ensure great fishing for years to come, practice catch and release, or selectively harvest fish just under trophy status.

In some systems, worrying about panfish abundance seems over-critical, but it’s important to remember that not all fish will reach “trophy” size in their lifetime.

All fish have genetic pre-dispositions that impact their maximum growth potential. When you catch a trophy panfish it is critical to release it so that it can pass on it’s genetics to offspring.

If trophy panfish are over-harvested in a system, it can take decades to rebound, and the remaining fish in the system will be significantly smaller, even as adults.