Whitefish 2025, Hungry Buggers

Managed to get out on a new whitefish and laker spot today. The shore had hardened up and the ice was perfect. Bare ice and very slippery in sections. 5-6” black ice. Started in 35fow at the top of a trough, had a couple chases and lost one after 5-6seconds hookup, then quieted down. My buddies were set up in 52fow and were constantly playing with fish on bottom and I kept telling them they were perch or smelts. After about an hour of them constantly getting chased but no hits I decided I’d go over and see what it was all about… I tried the bug and missed a couple but was t getting much so I gave up convinced they’re perch. About another hour goes by and the fish won’t leave my buddies alone so I go on the theory that they are small whitefish and switch to meegz and balance on bottom…. Well I managed to get 4 whitefish topside within 2 minutes. I said “mystery solved”. I switched them over to same setup but they couldn’t grasp the finesse technique of dancing the meegz on the bottom and waiting for the slight bump upwards to slam the hookset. I managed three more in short order but sliced my thumb and had to evacuate the ice in search of first aid. I finished the day with 7 whitefish topside. They weee all smaller whitefish (the most delicious) and averaged 17-18” with one or two smaller ones. The schools were constant though and the bottom was full of whitefish every 2-5minutes. Looks like I found a new winter spot! Great way to start the 2025 whitefish party.

Beauties, well done!!! How did you slice your finger open?

Well done Nick, always pays off to be open to changing techniques.

Just finished bleeding fish and had slight slip on the ice and somehow got my left thumb while holding the knife in the right hand, was about to put the knife away. Blinded by the excitement of the whitefish. The knife is shave your face sharp.

Just finished bleeding fish and had slight slip on the ice and somehow got my left thumb while holding the knife in the right hand, was about to put the knife away. Blinded by the excitement of the whitefish. The knife is shave your face sharp.

Aggghhh thats a bummer, lucky it didnt happen at the start of the day!! At least you got to enjoy some whitefish action beforehand!

Good start! Congrats on nice haul!

Hungry? Were the ever! Hell of a day. Meegs magic tickle strikes again! Well done Nick
Sorry to hear about the thumb. Looks like you can still reel

Nice haul ...makes me itch to get out but my main lake is still not quite ready for my liking but over the next week or so, there should be lots of ice made with the cold temps we are getting (and just as importantly, no snow like down in the Simcoe area)....that was us at the end of November/early December but we got much more. Even after the thaw, we still have a good metre of snow on the ground (and now it's all compacted down and icy so hopefully, I don't need to dig anything out).

Great haul.
Worth a little blood sacrifice.?

Way to go, stellar performance…. Often the other guys just can’t match what you’re telling them to do

You slayed them Nick well done.....hope that thumb heals fast.

Arnie

Nice job on the whities! I'm glad to see someone had a active day. The fish were off the bite at my hole, or mayby i just didn't find the offering and technique they were after.
Hope your thumb isn't causing you any grief.

Awesome catch and report. Beautiful bunch of whities

Beautiful whitefish

Nice haul!