| One of the most popular recreational forms of fishing | | | | people with the largest fish catches within a limited |
| in Scandinavia, Russia and Germany is Ice Fishing, a | | | | period of time.One of the contests attracting more |
| sport also practiced in Canada and the United States, | | | | people every year is held at the Houghton Lake in |
| not only during winter, but also all year round in Alaska. | | | | Michigan. The "Tip-Up Town, USA", an annual festival |
| However the most popular place to enjoy this activity | | | | celebrated the last 56 years ago during the second |
| is in the Great Lakes. Considered originally from | | | | third of winter, and enhanced with other snow related |
| Scandinavia, it was brought to America by Swedish, | | | | activities such as strolling, snowmobiling, snow-sculpting |
| Norwegian and Finnish settlers arriving to Minnesota, a | | | | and fireworks, in conjunction with Ice fishing.While in the |
| state where people from Nordic families is totally | | | | United States, Ice fishing contests have a prevalent |
| engaged in this sport. Ice fishing was exported to | | | | carnival like atmosphere, full of camaraderie, in Finland, |
| Canada from Minnesota and from here, it also arrived | | | | ice fishing contests have been defaced after repeated |
| in Alaska.Minnesotans found ice fishing an entertaining | | | | scandals involving both organizers and contestants, |
| option, keeping in mind that the Great Lakes are often | | | | who have been caught cheating, making people belief |
| totally frozen, with the only exception being Lake Erie. | | | | this is not a sport, but just a pastime. However, in the |
| When the bays of the Great Lakes freeze, yellow | | | | United States there is an association supporting ice |
| perch and northern pike are the most common | | | | fishing activities, the American Ice Fishing Association |
| catches waiting for enthusiasts of this sport. Ice fishing | | | | (AIFA), which says that ice fishing contributes to |
| is practiced catching fish with lines and spears or | | | | managing the fish species population, and the |
| hooks by opening a hole in the frozen lake to fish | | | | economic growth of the community, bringing calming |
| through. Depending on personal preferences, fishermen | | | | and relaxing effects of well being to all the |
| can sit in a heated cabin on the ice or on a stool | | | | participants.Because ice fishing can be something more |
| placed on the open expanse of the frozen lake. | | | | than a one-day experience, there are shelters |
| Cabins are more popular indeed, because most of | | | | conveniently located for longer fishing expeditions. |
| them have bunks and diverse amenities.From all the | | | | Some others are mounted on-demand using simple |
| forms of fishing, ice fishing is perhaps the activity | | | | structures, although the larger heated structures are |
| requiring less effort and skill, just patience, good luck | | | | basic for the success of fishing trips lasting several |
| and the inner conviction of enjoy doing nothing else | | | | days.There is a website that describes boat fishing, ice |
| that sitting on ice, if not physical, at least exposed to | | | | fishing, and has info on numerous freshwater fish, baits, |
| low temperatures. For some people, this condition may | | | | and lures, plus other great freshwater fishing tips. The |
| appear unappealing but in the northern states, ice | | | | website is called: Fishing Stringer, and may be found at |
| fishing is considered a serious entertaining activity with | | | | this address: Robert W. |
| competitions and contests offering good prizes to | | | | |