White bass provide some of winter's fastest fishing, but only after a school is located. Finding them, however, isn't easy. Their location and behavior in a body of water depend on type of lake or reservoir, available forage, and population size. Where large populations exists, whites often seem to be everywhere-on bars, along bars, in open water, deep, and shallow. But white bass are not structure-oriented and often roam, looking for food. Even when you catch a few fish in a general area, don't expect them to stay in specific spots for long. To consistently find these efficient predators under the ice, it's necessary to hit high-percentage spots, drill holes, and fish fast until you contact fish.

Tackle

 

Rod: 2- to 3-foot light-power ice rod.

Reel: small-capacity spinning reel.

Line: 4- to 8-pound-test mono.

 

Rigging

Generally choose larger lures that fish more aggressively than typical panfish lures. Try flash lures like 1/4-ounce jigging spoons; swimming lures like #3, #5, or #7 Jigging Rapalas; or 1/8-ounce leadhead jigs tipped with maggots or minnows.

Location

High-percentage spots for white bass and crappies are similar. Check obvious structural elements like points and other areas that tend to congregate baitfish. Also, check current areas and necked-down areas. Causeways and narrow channels are another possibility. A causeway, long point, or inside turn in the shoreline drop-off attracts and holds more baitfish and white bass than open water areas do.

During early ice, whites also tend to be in shallower water than later in the season. Even during midwinter, though, they rarely stay for long deeper than forty feet. In reservoirs and natural lakes, white bass move through open water until gathered by a structural element that sticks into the lake basin. If they find forage as they move around the element, they often stay until the forage is thinned.

Presentation

Use an aggressive jigging presentation most of the time, since white bass often compete aggressively for food. Catching them is usually a matter of getting the fish to see the bait. When white bass seem less aggressive, try smaller swim and flash lures worked less aggressively. Rarely, however, will you need to resort to small ice flies or other subtle presentations.