[VIDEO] Finding Winter Panfish With No Mapping

Ice fishing without mapping might sound intimidating. However, it often leads to some of the most rewarding panfish bites of the season. In this video, Nick Dumke and Kyle Peterson break down how they approach ice fishing panfish on a lake with zero mapping, using smart observation, efficient drilling, and forward-facing sonar to find fish fast.

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Starting a Plan With No Mapping

When fishing a lake without mapping, preparation still matters. Dumke and Peterson pack light but stay efficient. Even so, ice fishing tends to involve more gear than expected. Once on the ice, the first step focuses on reading the lake visually. Steep shoreline breaks, bowl-shaped basins, and narrowing sections often hint at deeper water. Therefore, even without mapping, geography tells a story. For panfish, that story usually begins in the basin. In winter, large groups of bluegills and crappies commonly roam these open-water areas under the ice.

Locating Panfish in Basins and Flats

On unmapped lakes, basins provide a reliable starting point for ice fishing panfish. Still, flats and weed edges remain important. Because fish move often, drilling becomes the main tool for learning. Peterson relies on forward-facing sonar to scan water quickly. Meanwhile, Dumke uses a flasher to confirm depth and fish position once they settle in. Together, this system helps them cover water without wasting time. When fish appear active and move vertically in the water column, that usually signals a good chance to get bites.

A Simple System for Ice Fishing Panfish

Despite the tech, the system stays simple. Panfish will almost always be in one of two places: basins or weeds. Starting in the basin during daylight makes sense on most lakes, especially when ice fishing without mapping. As the sun drops, the evening bite often improves. That window frequently produces the biggest panfish of the day.