Staring out the window, the snow covered ground and temps in the high 20’s belie the reality of the 2024 ice fishing season. It can only be described as short! Most ponds lacked safe ice in Western Iowa until early January, and then a three week cold snap rapidly built ice on ponds and local lakes in a hurry. By mid-January, 10 or more inches of ice were common in the area, and anglers were braving the sub-zero temps to cash in on the bounty. Fast forward a few weeks and local ponds are mostly open, and the ice is retreating rapidly on larger lakes across the state. If you haven’t already, now is the time to plan your ice-out catfish outing!  

Ice-out catfishing can be spectacular on both lakes and rivers, especially when shad is the dominant forage base. Every winter, a portion of the shad population winter-kills, and when ice melts and break up begins, wind, waves, and current drive the dead and dying into shoreline areas. Shallow south-facing bays and coves are the first to warm in the spring, and the warmer water and the bounty of baitfish concentrate both numbers and sizes of hungry cats.

Several large reservoirs in Iowa host large shad and catfish populations, including Saylorville, Coralville, Red Rock, and Rathbun. The Mississippi and Missouri river systems are also shad factories. These go-to catfishing destinations provide phenomenal ice-out fishing for hungry cats and the strategy is simple. When the majority of ice has melted, scout wind-blown south-facing shorelines in shallow bays, coves, and backwaters for dead and dying fish. A few days of sunshine and southerly winds can expedite this process and ring the dinner bell. Please note that sometimes thick slush or “ice cubes” can extend several yards from the bank, concealing the carcasses and making fishing difficult. In these situations, a more hands-on “boots on the ground” inspection may be necessary.  

Once washed up fish are spotted, grab a pair of rubber boots (ice-out fishing is a muddy affair), a comfortable bucket to sit on, your favorite rod (my personal favorite), reel, rod holder, and rubber gloves. Walk the shoreline, keeping the wind in your face, to locate eddies and other structures that concentrate bait. Next, tie on a simple slip sinker rig with a single or double 4/0 Whisker Seeker Triple Threat hook, ease on a pair of rubber gloves, and grab the nearest shad. Often slush, ice chunks, and other debris previously locked up in the ice creates a hostile environment for monofilament lines. In response, for added security, I forgo the mono leader and tie hooks directly to 35# Whisker Seeker braid.  In my experience, ice-out cats aren’t picky, and the extra insurance against breaking off is worth it.

Using a bait knife or scissors, cut the shad into 2” or 3” cubes, thread onto the hook, and carefully cast into the wind, trying not to whip the bait off the hook(s). Depending on the cats’ mood, a little trial and error may be necessary with bait size.  

Under ideal conditions, cats can be found in 2’ of sunburnt water or less, but it may take a little experimentation to find active fish. To keep your rod and reel out of the mud, drive your favorite rod holder deep and brace it with a rock or log. This will keep a hard pulling cat from dragging your set into the nasty shoreline gumbo.

Once catfish are located, the action can be fast and furious! When fishing with a group of buddies, doubles and triples are common, and the size and number of fish can be staggering. With swollen bellies, ice-out cats hit cut bait with reckless abandon, and these cold water fish are some of the best tasting of the season.

Break-up is well underway on ponds and small lakes in the Midwest. If you need an excuse to beat the winter doldrums and ease cabin fever, blow the dust off your gear and give ice-out catfishing a try. We could all use more fresh air and exercise, and with an early spring all but a certainty at this point, the window is closing fast to capitalize on some of the best catfishing of the year. In the immortal words of the late Toby Keith, go out and “Getcha Some!”