Shallow whitefish

[Tubby76]

Ok so I learned how to catch whitefish from my grandfather, find some deep water off a drop off down goes the spreader and POW your fishing for whitefish. I have had good success with it for the last 30 years. I think I am stuck though so I was wondering how guys are targeting shallow fish what kind of structure am I looking for and depths 30-50? Any help would be greatly appreciated!!

[GingerHut905]

I dont fish much whitefish, but what ive gathered from posts etc over the years is most guys fish humps. Thats about all ive got. Sure someone will chime in eventually.
Tight lines

[Disco]

I fish right on top of shoals some times. Sometimes part way down a shelf on a flat spot.

Have to test it all IMO to find the area they are feeding. All I can say for certain is when they are shallow they are only there to feed so the hits can be very aggressive.

[bassmasterrr]

Hard to beat the balanced tip up in deeper water but the shallow bite can be ok too , all depends on the day.

[toothhealer88]

Found them in 20-35 feet last couple of years. Never fished deeper than that.

[justafishin]

I have been getting whiteys in 20 - 25 fow, last few years while fishing for perch. More whiteys than perch, day and night. Have camera down, seen 10 at a time swim by, but usually only 1 or 2 pairs.

[reelinginthebigone]

I've only found whities in 90+ ft of water.. hey... I'm a summer guy

[mykola]

25-55fow near deep 150ft holes all year round. On the smaller northern lakes.

[goingout]

I have caught many whites in 30 t0 35 ft of water while perch fishing in lake simcoe.

[Brooktrout]

Whitefish and Lake trout have learned how to target gobies for food source. You are in the right area - I would start shallow... right up on the top of the hump. Keep moving around until you find where they are.

As was mentioned, shallow fish are there to eat. Gobies don't go much deeper than 40 ft +/- (I don't think). When I'm fishing shallow - I'll use goby style baits. I don't think there's a minimum depth - I've seen them in 10 ft. Most consistently 20-40 ft depending on time of day.

As the day progresses, or if I'm not marking fish, I'll start to head deeper. Sometimes all it takes is a small move.

You'll still catch fish deep - but from my experience, they don't chase the goby baits as much in the deep water (although I have done well using the classic Bad Boyz and Meegs styles).

Remember - less is better when jigging shallow - little twitches so your bait stays right on bottom.

Good luck!