Ice Fishing

March 9 2010 by Claudia Kunkel

ice-fishing-wr.jpgI do like to fish, really. My parents loved to fish and many a Sunday we'd pack up the fishing pole and find a creek, pond, stream or lake to throw in a line. I didn't particularly care for the cleaning part (too many eyes and guts), but I did enjoy the eating part. Then I married a guy whose passion is fly fishing, so I transitioned from simply trolling for fish to becoming actively engaged in the sport of catch and release. My dad took me ice fishing - once - and I have to say it was a very different experience. I learned you have to be prepared.

Basics of Ice Fishing

For those new to the idea of ice fishing, here is a brief summary from Wikipedia:"Ice fishing is the activity of catching fish with lines and fish hooks through an opening in the ice on a frozen body of water. Ice anglers may sit on the stool in the open on a frozen lake, or in a heated cabin on the ice, some with bunks and amenities".

So picture this, you get bundled up in your warmest clothes, pack your thermos of hot chocolate, coffee and soup, your ice fishing gear and head out to the nearest frozen lake to drill holes and drop a line. A very important rule you need to remember when ice fishing, "Thick and blue, tried and true, thin and crispy, way too risky." I'm referring to the thickness of the ice. It's generally accepted that the ice should be at least 4 inches thick to avoid falling through. Remember, ice thickness can vary throughout the lake, so make sure to check several spots. Personally, I'm all for the shelters, commonly referred to as ice shanty, ice shack, fish house or ice hut. More sophisticated shelters may contain satellite TV, bathrooms, stoves and a bed and most importantly, heat.

Fishing Equipment

The amount of fishing equipment and the dollar investment needed will depend on how often you plan on ice fishing and if you're serious about catching a lot of fish or just happy to be out on the ice. A basic list for just getting started would include:


  • Sled - important for hauling your equipment and supplies from your truck or car to your shanty or where you plan on drilling your fishing hole.

  • Ice Fishing Rods and Tackle - these are small, light fishing rods with small, brightly colored jigs and lures that are easier to use, especially if you are fishing inside a shelter without a lot of room.

  • Bait - can vary, but often live bait (minnows), wax worms or fat heads.

  • Ice Auger - also can use an ice saw or chisel. Important to have in order to cut your fishing hole.

  • Skimmer - the skimmer helps to scoop out the slush after cutting your hole and to remove the new ice as it forms.

  • Seat - a stool, bucket, folding chair, anything to sit on while waiting out the fish.

  • Flasher - similar to a fishfinder. It is a sonar system that gives you information on depth, movement of fish and your bait.

  • Compass - it's easy to get turned around out on a large lake, especially when it starts to get dark or a sudden storm hits.


Popular Ice Fishing States and Contests

It goes without saying, that ice fishing is popular in states where the temperatures are extreme and the winters are long. Here in the United States, that would be the Midwest, the Northwest and the states of New England. Making it even more enticing, are the contests that are held for the largest fish caught or caught within a certain time period. In Somerset, Wisconsin, the Bass Lake Ice Fishing Contest is an annual ice fishing contest held in February with 100% of the proceeds being donated to charity. This year is the 60th anniversary of Michigan's largest winter festival, "Tip-Up-Town USA", held the last two weekends of January in Houghton Lake. The Fishing Contest that is held every year still promotes ice fishing. Gull Lake near Brainerd, Minnesota, currently hosts the world's largest fishing contest each January. Over 20,000 holes are drilled with 15,000 anglers vying for $150,000 in cash and prizes and proceeds being donated to charity.

There's never a time like the present to get out and try something new. Whether you want to try ice fishing for some excitement and a little solitude or you want to gather a group of friends together for the camaraderie and competition, ice fishing can open up a whole new world in the long winter months ahead.

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