Seasoned anglers know about rods, reels, casting, fish behavior, and the best places to go to relax or haul in a monster. However, many of them have never attempted one of the more enjoyable variations of the ancient art: Ice fishing.
Ice fishing has many attractions that can’t be equaled by normal fishing. There are fewer anglers nearby, few insects, and the weather is not hot just to name a few. Even those who enjoy warm weather find it is fun to be able to fish more seasons in the year. Winter fishing produces 25% of the annual catch in Wisconsin.
Ice fishing has its own unique requirements. Different gear is needed, and there are added safety precautions to consider. There are also clothing add-ons required and a few new techniques to learn.
Ice does not freeze to a uniform thickness on lakes. The speed, temperature and source of water currents from rivers cause variations. Snow cover on the surface can affect the stability of ice. Air currents can cause erosion of the surface. Factors such as these as well as many others, can lead to cracks in the ice and ultimately a disaster.
While it is surprising that anyone needs to be warned, never park a camper or any other type of vehicle on the ice. More than once the stress has been enough to open a while in what looked like several inches of rock hard, frozen water.
Use an ice auger or spud (an ice chisel on a pole) to make the hole and to test the ice as you are walking out. Be certain to secure it to your hand with a strap because if it slips out of your hand it will be lost forever.
The hole should be no more than 12 inches or 30.5 cm, to keep the ice near where you stand or sit as solid and stable as possible. This also helps prevent a person falling all the way through in an accident.
Other useful items include a bucket with minnows, a small mesh net to pull minnows out of the bucket and keep your hands out of the water. It is nice to bring a chair to sit on. A gaff hook to haul in fish. A hook disgorger will help get the hook out of the fish’s mouth without removing your gloves.
Be certain to wear lots of layers, with wool in the outer layers. Wool is a wonderful insulator and retains that ability even when wet.
Most importantly, use your head at all times. If you use proper gear and follow a few common sense safety guidelines, ice fishing is safe, easy and fun. Winding up in the water is everyone’s worst fishing story. It is much better to tell about the sea monster you caught while catching up on a good novel.
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