Use a sonar device to locate a school of these fish will help become more successful.

Temperature

Yellow Bass winter techniques differ quite a bit from summer and fall techniques. In the winter months, Yellow Bass prefer water temperatures between 52°F and 62°F, down considerably from the 82°F/28°C to 86°F/30 ° C they enjoy in the summer months and 60°F to 64°F/15°C to 18°C in fall. When the water temperature reaches the mid 50°Fs/10°C+, they start moving into the shallows and stay there until the water temperature drops below 39°F/4°C to which all Yellow Bass migrate to deeper water.

Ice Fishing

In the north, use standard light ice-fishing tackle. Unlike bait casting, trolling and fly fishing, the ice fishing rod is very small, no more than about 15 inches long. Go with an eight pound test and no more than 12 pounds.

Standard ice fishing hole

Unlike other bass, which become slower and more docile, Yellow Bass are aggressive in the winter and are an excellent fighting ice-fishing fish. Like the bass namesake, they are aggressive fighters and keep together as they are a schooling fish, the main difference is how active they are in the winter months.

Equipment

Use a sonar device to locate a school of these fish will help become more successful. Yellow Bass feed throughout the day, though it is believed that overcast and night conditions work best and this quite reasonable as the Yellow Bass are more nocturnal that other bass species.

When first ice hits the lake, they can be found by deep drop offs and medial depth areas around rocks areas or sandy bottom lakes.

Lures

Use lures and baits that resemble small insects, minnows, small shad, small Sunfish, insects and insect larvae. However, minnows are the best bait to use on yellow bass, though they are very effective at catching other fish as well.

In winter months, Yellow Bass prefer water temperatures between 52°F/11°C and 62°F/17°C, down the 60°F to 64°F/15°C to 18°C in fall. When the water temperature reaches the mid 50°Fs, they start moving into the shallows and are completely gone from the shallows when the water temperature reaches 39°F/4°C.

For ice fishing, there are three main types: horizontal, ventricle and 45° jigs.

Horizontal jogs sit in the water with the body and hook in the horizontal position. Vertical jigs sit vertically and 45 degree jigs sit at a slant. Keep a small collection of each of these.