Brook/Splake Trout Ice Techniques

[Fishhead3]

I'm heading up to the Combermere area to hit up some small lakes with Splake/Brook trout. (I normally fish Walleye, Pike, Perch)

Anyone have any tips or techniques for fishing Brookies through the ice?

I'm thinking to put a hole in about 5 - 10 feet of water just off shore. (last year I saw a ton of holes offshore in shallow water)
Set up my rod in a rod holder with a live minnow a foot or two off bottom.
I have heard it's better to sit onshore a few feet from the rod so you don't spook the fish. (unfortunately I saw garbage onshore close to the holes)
Or if your sitting by the hole you need to be super stealth. (Not the time to be talking with the boys)

MY BIG PROBLEM IS THAT I MAY NOT BE ABLE TO GET MINNOWS. (long story)
This would throw my above technique out the window.

Can I use the above technique with a live worm?
Anyone have any artificial suggestions for Brookies/Splakers?
Will jigging in shallow water spook the trout?

Thanks for your help!

 

[19darrin]

try maybe a smaller jig head with a gilp minnow or somthing like that and possibly a small colored spoon
that should work, but im not 100% just trying to help if ya try one of those let me know how it goes but a spoon should work.

 

[Dozer]

I"m going there in a couple weeks, let me know how you make out, where do you plan on fishing?

Yes, try small spoons tipped wth worms. Best of luck

 

[hightechdecks]

LIVE minnows are prohibited for use in many speck lakes check the regs first.

 

[hodgy]

I was just fishing for splake/speckled trout this week. Was using a small pink tube jink and a shiner. 4ft of water. They would come in and sniff around the bait but were not really interested. I think took off the shinner and just left the small pink tube (like 2 inch tube jig). As soon as I dropped it in the hole BAM! 3 in about 3 minutes.

 

[Fishhead3]

Sweet thanks!
I got a few small spoons and tubes.
Going to grab some minnows and thin worms for tip-ups.
Hope to post a bunch of photos this Monday :mrgreen: