Lake Champlain Ice Fishing – Jigging

Jigging is using an ice fishing rod and hook-and-line to fish and then moving the bait up-and-down or side-to-side. Jigging works best for smaller fish like panfish. You can use lures or live bait while jigging.

Here are some simple steps to practice this technique:

• Drop your line into the hole and let your jig hook sink to the bottom.
• Very slowly raise your bait up about a foot off the bottom.
• Jig your bait or lure up and down, side to side, or up and down and sideways.
• Don’t move the bait too much or too quickly or the fish might not think it’s worth the effort to bite it.

Here are some locations to test your new technique: Lake Champlain Ice Fishing Opportunities.

• Milton, Vermont Angler Catches Muskie Through Ice
• Reminder to Remove Ice Shanties from Vermont Fish and Wildlife Department
• Essential Ice Fishing Safety Gear
• Ice Fishing: Tightlining
• Ice Fishing: Tip Ups