| Did you hear the one about the guy who went ice | | | | technique is off for the day. I can remember a few |
| fishing and came back with 50 lbs. of ice? | | | | times when we had to have "fish lip soup", it wasn't |
| Well, if you found yourself here your at least one step | | | | very filling. |
| ahead of this fella, that is unless you intended to bring | | | | Well, seeing as you have made it this far. I guess an |
| home some ice. Ice fishing is actually a very simple | | | | obvious question would be "When is the best time to |
| sport but must be practiced with some caution. | | | | go ice Fishing ?" Everyone I know wants to get out |
| WHAT you say? | | | | there as soon as possible. It is probably because the |
| Seriously before you set out to catch any fish on | | | | fishing seems to be a little better or more likely they |
| "hard" water there a couple of things you should be | | | | just want to be the first one to haul one out of the |
| concerned about. Firstly, make sure you are equipped | | | | hole. |
| with the proper attire. Setting out from home on a nice | | | | It is true that the fish are relaxed and in the best |
| sunny day is fine but once you approach your | | | | feeding spots because they haven't been hassled for |
| destination things may have drastically changed or | | | | several months. Trout in particular spawn in the fall and |
| may change without notice. This would also be a good | | | | can be found in deep water at this time. You can find |
| time to check the weather channel or newspaper for | | | | them on bars, shoals, rocks and fingers. Perch, pike |
| the up to date weather forecast. | | | | and walleye tend to look for shallow , weedy lakes |
| Secondly, remember to check the ice conditions | | | | because the oxygen level tends to be a lot higher. |
| wherever you go, there are local ice hut operators or | | | | Once the little villages spring up and the anglers take |
| locals who are willing to help make your trip safe. | | | | their toll the catches tend to decrease but don't |
| A friend of mine told me once, "You can always take | | | | despair they are still out there. You just have to work |
| it off, but its pretty hard to put it on if you haven't got | | | | a little harder. |
| it!" My advice, purchase a good floatation suit. They | | | | So you need a few pointers because your just not |
| are warm and if you happen to break thru the ice it will | | | | catching your limit. |
| probably save your life. | | | | Well what is it that you do in the summer time, |
| A warm dry set of gloves, preferably without fingers is | | | | whether you are fishing from shore or boat if your not |
| a must. This way all the fingers share the warmth. A | | | | getting the bites ?... You move. |
| full face belaclava is also required as well as | | | | I do it all the time, it's not hard if you've got your own |
| sunglasses. Scarfs can help but be cautionary of the | | | | sled and make sure you've got a power auger, you'll |
| vehicle you are using to get you out to your favorite | | | | need it. In order to be mobile you really need to be |
| spot. You don't want to have it get tangled up in a | | | | prepared. This includes a portable shelter, flotation suit, |
| chain or track. | | | | auger, sled or 4x4, fish finder and GPS. Give yourself |
| Several layers of clothes are a benefit for when you | | | | about 10 to 20 minutes per hole. That's enough time to |
| have the luxury of taking them off. Another good idea | | | | find your depth, scratch the bottom for debris, rocks, |
| is to have a fishing buddy. They are not only there to | | | | sand, etc., set up your fish finder and locate fish and at |
| enjoy the day with you and help make the fishing | | | | what depth. It also allows you to try your technique to |
| story a real tale but if an emergency arises they are | | | | see if they are interested. If you happen to have the |
| the only support you've got. | | | | hydrographic map of the lake or fished it before it |
| We still have a few small things to do before setting | | | | helps. Try making calculated moves, such as holes, |
| out. Make sure your transportation is trustworthy, a | | | | shoals, weedbeds. |
| general maintenance check will do, tell someone where | | | | If you can afford it, get yourself several rods and rig |
| your going and how long you expect to be gone and | | | | them up with different presentations. Not only do you |
| last but not least, a simple thing like a compass, so you | | | | become a quick change artist but it saves tying on |
| don't get lost. | | | | different lures when the weather isn't friendly. |
| Okay, are we having fun yet. Now that we have got | | | | Jigging is really an art form. Not to fast and not to |
| all the scary stuff done, its time to leave, right .... | | | | slow, kind of a rhythm thing. Keep in mind it is okay to |
| WRONG ! You forgot the gear. | | | | jig hard at first, you want to attract them, get them |
| A general rule of thumb regarding gear is to choose | | | | interested. Once you've done that slow down to a |
| the equipment you will need to match the fish you are | | | | twitch by using only your wrist or trolling from one side |
| seeking (e.g. the larger the fish, the heavier the tackle). | | | | of the hole to the other. Alternatively you can raise the |
| Of course you won't be able to get to them if you | | | | rod tip a few inches and lower. Stir up the bottom a |
| don't have a hole. So depending on the ice and your | | | | little. |
| wallet or both, you are going to need an ice spud or | | | | Make sure your rod is short, stiff and with big eyelets. |
| handgas auger. You can purchase both but if you just | | | | It's hard to fish in a hut that's only 4 x 6 with a 3' rod. |
| happen to have a friend that welds you can get him to | | | | You only get one chance to set the hook, so if it |
| make the spud up for you out of a 6' x 2" piece of flat | | | | moves you don't want the rod to bend. Having your |
| steel and round bar. Don't forget to weld a "T" on the | | | | line get frozen because of clogged eyelets just isn't |
| top and grind the flat bar down to a chisel point. | | | | any fun. |
| If you are in good shape and have the time the hand | | | | PAY ATTENTION! No, I'm not trying to wake you up |
| auger is great but if you intend to fish several spots | | | | from your daydream but feeling a hit is not the only |
| and don't want to tire yourself out making holes get a | | | | way to get fish out of the hole. If you see the slightest |
| gas auger. Look for an auger with at least a 6" cut | | | | movement, either side to side or up or down, set your |
| just so you can get the big ones thru the hole. | | | | hook! Remember, if your sending your lure down and it |
| Next, you'll need an ice skimmer. I suggest the | | | | stops and your not where your suppose to be, you |
| aluminum one because if you are in a hut with a stove | | | | probably have one on the line. |
| just warm it up a little and touch it to the hole and voila | | | | Now, if you want to get them up the hole your going |
| ... instant skim! Also, tie a light chain or rope on it just in | | | | to need to hook 'em, so keep your hooks sharp. The |
| case it falls down the hole. | | | | easiest way to test is when you push the point thru |
| Well, your almost there. You can't catch anything | | | | the minnow, if the point doesn't go in easily either |
| without some type of jigging rod. They come in all | | | | sharpen it or replace it. Speaking of hooks, size is |
| types, sizes and styles but look for one with which you | | | | important. The smaller the bait the smaller the hook. |
| will be comfortable with. This may take a few outings | | | | Also, If your using a large hook on a small bait you |
| to discover, so see if you have a buddy who will lend | | | | restrict it's movements and could possible even spook |
| you his or hers. Another general rule of thumb, a light | | | | your game. |
| rod for perch and panfish using 2 to 4 lb. test, medium | | | | Timing the hook set is crucial when using minnowbait. It |
| action for trout, walleye, whitefish, etc. and 6 to 10 lb. | | | | is well known that most fish attack from the side, so |
| test. | | | | don't try to set the hook at the first sign of movement |
| If you are energetic an have a second hole you can | | | | or tug. Allow the fish time to swallow the minnow. |
| also use a tip-up. They range in price from several | | | | Okay, so you lost your patience, had him and lost him. |
| dollars to around twenty-five bucks. Well, this should | | | | Don't be in a hurry to change your bait, put the line |
| get you started. The rest you can learn from patience | | | | back down the hole. Remember, he just lost supper |
| and experience. Good Luck and Good Fishing! | | | | and if he's hungry he'll be back. Wait a couple of |
| P.S. One last thing... remember to take a light lunch with | | | | minutes and if you don't get a response your welcome |
| you, just in case they decide not to bite or your fishing | | | | to change your bait. |