They will relate to different areas during ice up - and they will move around, a LOT. You might be surprised how quickly a pack of LMB will roam a pond under the ice
Right now in my pond you will catch 0 fish in the basin where the 39 degree water is.....bluegills are alllll shallow, roaming between shore and the 1st drop into 6-8' of water at the deepest. Inactive feeders are hiding out deep in cover (brush/deadfalls) while active feeders are roaming the 2-8' depths in search for food.
LMB can be found in the same depth zones on the sunny side of the pond. Crappie - black crappie are near brush when inactive and cruise just below the ice surface over the basin mid day to feed. White crappie are suspended between the 1st and 2nd drop or roaming just below the ice like the black crappie. Bass will also roam just below the ice. Fish that feed up will pin baitfish to the bottom of the ice - this is why you get massive "up bites" on ice crappie from time to time - where you line goes completely slack
On my pond i use lipless crank baits to catch every species during the winter - sometimes a tungsten jig and waxie
Just some ideas, every pond is different
Mat Peirce
1.25 acre southeast Iowa pond
LMB, BG, YP, WE, HSB, RES, BCP
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