Panfish Peak Research Paper

Taking this single piece of information, imagine how simple predicting a lake's first late winter panfish peak is. You will rarely miss the bet by driving to your target lake, taking a few steps on to the ice to observe the snow conditions, and making your decision from there. If the heavy snow is gone, go for it. If not, head southward, or to a shallower lake nearby. Unless you've got inside information that tips you off to active fish before the snow melt-off, skip trying these lakes beforehand.

A second successful and predictable pattern I've witnessed with high regularity during the late ice period can occur one day and not the next. But the weather man can usually help you out here. It basically involves observing water running into the ice holes. A warm thaw that melts surface ice or snow can result in puddles of standing
This is true more often than not. The northern shore receives so much more sunlight on any given day, and it really makes a difference in the late winter. In fact, you'll usually notice the water melting away from shorelines on the north side far before any such change takes place elsewhere. This solar process has as much effect below the ice as on top. Panfish are drawn into these northern areas in the very infancy of prespawn.

During the first stages of late winter, panfish might still be found in deep water in these northern areas. Deep silt bottom flats just outside a weedbed can be real hotspots. The deep silt holds a proverbial smorgasbord of hibernating insects and crustacea. The change in overall daylight potentially awaken these creatures from hibernation. Schools of feisty panfish will be there to gobble the feast. Panfish might remain in this deep silt area for a long time if frigid cold weather persists, or retreat to such a spot if a sudden cold snap arrives later