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Ice fishing is the next step if you’ve tried every lake, stream, and ocean and feel like you’ve exhausted all your angling options.
This unique setting can provide a wonderful take on traditional fishing, and many people find that the fish are surprisingly receptive during this time of year.
Ice fishing is more challenging than regular angling, despite the fish being considered easier to catch.
Ice traps or a specialized rod that works through a hole in the ice are the two most common methods used for ice fishing in sub-zero conditions.
There’s a lot to love about heading out in the freezing cold to enjoy a spot of fishing when nobody else is around, and even better when you see how receptive the fish are.
What Is Ice Fishing?
Ice fishing is a style of angling that takes place on a frozen body of water.
The fisherman will use a series of tools and methods, like spears, hooks, and lines, to catch fish through an opening on a sheet of ice and, most likely, a hole they’ve created.
There are several ways to engage in ice fishing, such as sitting on top of the ice and fishing into the water below, or using a specially constructed shelter to protect against the freezing weather.
People camp out for days or just a few hours of ice fishing, so there’s no limit. You can’t use your regular angling equipment for ice fishing because it requires specialized gear.
There should also be safety measures in place due to the heightened risk of falls through the ice and cold-related illnesses like hypothermia and frostbite.
How Do You Ice Fish?
Finding the right location is the most important part of ice fishing, because, like regular fishing, this could make or break your day.
Depending on what stage of winter it is, the fish will be somewhere different, so during mid-winter, they’ll be in deep waters, and in early winter, they’ll still be hanging out in their usual spots before the water freezes.
After finding the location, visit near sundown or in the morning when they feed. The biggest benefit of ice fishing is that fish are trying to conserve their energy because the temperatures are freezing and they’re not as swift as usual.
Tip-ups and jigging with a bobber are the two main techniques used for ice fishing; some even like to use a spear or club. A tip-up is a specialty device that lets you lower the bait to a set depth in the water and leave it, with a marker on top that can show you once a fish is biting.
A bobber is a short, light rod that you place in a hole in the ice and jiggle around using small bait to try to attract fish. Both of these options are good, but jigging is considered more enjoyable, and tip-ups allow you to cover more ground.
Essential Ice Fishing Gear
The key to any successful fishing trip is having the right supplies, and this couldn’t be more true than when talking about ice fishing.
These are some of the essential pieces you’ll need for a successful day on the ice.
1. Rods
For ice fishing, the best rod is one that is light and small, around 28 inches in length, and fairly cheap.
There’s no need for expensive equipment like you would use in other forms of fishing.
2. Spring Bobbers
The wire of a coiler spring forms a spring bobber, which attaches to the rod and functions as an extension of it.
These bobbers are a lot more sensitive than a regular one, and they absorb the jigging, so it’s not too intense under the water.
3. Lines
The best type of line for this purpose is a fluorescent line, as it will be present invisibly in the water so that your fish are none the wiser and are less likely to tangle.
Choose an ice-fishing fluorescent line specifically for the best results.
4. Lures
If you’d rather not use small bait like maggots and wax worms, you can go the artificial route with a lure.
The three most popular ice-fishing lures are small spoons, vertical jigs, and horizontal jigs. There is a specific time and place where each of these would suit, so make sure you’ve done your research.
5. Tip Ups
You can make a tip-up at home or purchase one from the store to indicate to the angler that a strike has occurred.
With tip-ups, you’ll be able to have a few different lines going, and the flag of the tip-up will inform you when the action happens.
6. Clothes
Staying warm is critical when you’re on the ice, and even if you think you’re working hard fishing, the warmth can be deceptive.
Choose some carefully layered clothes so you can remove or add them as needed, and make sure you keep your head, feet, and hands covered as well.
7. Safety Equipment
Compared to regular fishing, ice fishing requires a significant amount of additional safety gear, so you should never leave home without it.
Some of the essentials you’ll want are ice cleats, metal cleats, a life vest, and a whistle to call for help if you need it. For longer fishing trips, shelter is essential for safety, so consider using an ice shanty to keep warm.
Is Ice Fishing Dangerous?
Ice fishing carries some risks that may not be present in other types of angling, necessitating more stringent safety measures.
Hypothermia, frostbite, and falls through the ice are just a few additional risks of fishing in winter, and understanding the potential dangers of being outside in winter can help prevent them.
The minimum thickness that ice should have before attempting to fish from it is four inches, with anything thicker than this being ideal.
Ice with a thickness of four inches is capable of holding around 200 pounds of weight, so it would only be suitable for one adult to fish on at a time.
Tips for Staying Safe While Ice Fishing
When you think of a regular fishing trip, it’s not exactly considered a death-defying activity or something that would satisfy a thrill-seeker.
As far as ice fishing is concerned, though, it’s another story and, if not done carefully, can lead to injuries and fatalities. To ensure you’re protecting yourself while ice angling, follow these tips for absolute safety.
1. Know The Thickness
You should only ever fish on ice that’s at least four inches thick, as anything less than this won’t be able to support you.
Experts recommend four inches for fishing, five inches for a snowmobile, and eight inches for a car, so know the snow’s thickness before proceeding.
2. Old vs. New Ice
There’s a huge difference between new and old ice in terms of strength, and you need to learn how to establish how much ice might be underneath supporting you.
New ice is stronger than old ice, so less of it is required to provide the same amount of support as twice as much old ice.
3. Avoid Flowing Water
Although ice forms easily and overflows the water in winter, it’s not a safe place to set up your fishing spot.
You should avoid ice fishing in any area that covers flowing water, including underneath bridges, on streams, and in rivers. This ice can be thick, and the water moving underneath makes it unstable.
4. Be Cautious on The Ground
Even if you think that the ice on the floor looks like it’s a certain thickness, there’s a probable chance it’s not that way for the entire surface.
Most of the time, ice will freeze in an uneven pattern, and just inches away, there could be a thin part of the ice that’s not substantial enough to support your weight.
5. Look Out for Large Schools of Fish
You might assume that a school of fish is a godsend when you’re trying to catch one, but you should avoid them if you’re ice fishing.
The movement of them in the water can bring bubbles and warm water to the surface, which threatens the solidity of the ice, so you should be cautious.
6. Learn The Sounds of The Ice
You can tell a lot about what’s happening underneath the ice and whether it’s safe just to sit in silence and listen.
Although it might seem like a cracking sound is dangerous, it might just mean that the ice is moving with temperature changes and expanding and contracting.
7. Keep an Eye on The Snow
If there’s snow nearby, be mindful that it also affects the safety of the ice.
Snow acts as a natural insulator, preventing the ice from becoming too cold, and it also increases the maximum weight that the ice sheet can support, so appearances can be misleading.
8. Have a Buddy System
Avoid going out alone if you plan on ice fishing, even if you’re an experienced winter angler.
In this type of fishing, accidents are more likely to happen with serious consequences, and having a buddy with you close by can prevent matters from getting worse.
Closing Thoughts
There’s nothing like the experience of angling in the winter, but learning how to ice fish is a whole lot different than any saltwater or freshwater setting.
With a little bit of practice, some safety measures in place, and the right type of gear, you’ll be able to experience the joy of ice fishing for yourself.
