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Todd’s Tips for a Reel Good Time on the Ice

 

As winter approaches, the trees have dropped their leaves, the lakes are quickly cooling, and the snow is here to stay (hopefuly). For some people this means that the recreation season has come to an end. However, it doesn’t have to be a long winter cooped up inside. For many, a great way to beat cabin fever and spend time outside during the winter months is ice fishing. For those interested in ice fishing but have not had the opportunity to get out and give it a try, it can seem overwhelming at first, as it requires specialized gear and a unique set of skills and knowledge. In this guide, I will cover the basics needed to safely get out on the ice, and some tips to help you get started in one of my favorite winter pastimes.

 

Before heading out on the ice, there are a few essentials you will need to invest in. When getting started, there is no need to invest in the most expensive gear. The following is a list of the basic gear needed to start:

• Clothing: Wear layers of insulated clothing that will provide warmth. Warm socks, gloves, a winter hat, and a good pair of insulated boots will help you stay comfortable in the freezing conditions.
• Ice Auger: A critical tool for drilling holes through the ice. Manual (hand) augers are more affordable and easier to transport, while power (electric or gas) augers are more efficient.
• Spud Bar (Ice Chisel): A long metal chisel that is primarily used to check the thickness of the ice. A spud bar can also be a helpful tool used to reopen holes that have frozen over.
• Ice picks: A safety tool that is used to pull yourself out of the water in case you happen to fall through the ice.
• Ice Skimmer: A tool used to keep your holes clear of ice and slush.
• Ice Fishing Rod and Reel: These rods are much shorter and designed for cold conditions.
• Baits and Lures: Depending on the species you are targeting, you will need the appropriate bait and lure. Make sure to do some research on what bait/lure your desired species prefers.
• Sled: Ice fishing requires you to transport a fair amount of gear. Although it can be carried, a sled will make getting to your favorite spot easier.

 

Now that you have acquired the necessary gear to head out onto the ice. You will need to get a general idea of where you want to fish. Since covering larger areas is much harder on ice than on open water. Choosing the right location is crucial for success when ice fishing. When looking for that ideal fishing spot many factors must be considered.

1. First off, what species do you plan on targeting? Different fish species behave differently during the winter season and even during different times of the day. It is important to do some research and gain knowledge of your target species movement habits, preferred depth/habitat, and the best bait or lures.
2. After you have done some research into the species you wish to catch, you need to find a lake containing healthy populations of that species. This can generally be done by consulting local fishing reports, talking to local anglers, or inquiring at bait shops in your area. Once you have decided on a lake, the key is to find a location on the lake with the appropriate vegetation, depths, drop-offs, etc. that may attract fish during the winter months. A good place to find this information is by reviewing the lake maps and surveys distributed by your state department of natural resources or fish, game and parks.
3. Finally, you are at the lake and ready to step out onto the ice. The first thing to consider when heading out on the ice is safety. To support the weight of a single person and gear, the thickness must be at least 4” of clear uncracked ice. It is important to keep in mind that ice never freezes uniformly. The best way to make sure the ice will support your fishing party is to drill test holes. Start near the shore in the shallows. Using an ice auger drill a hole and measure the depth of the ice. After testing the ice and confirming the thickness you can start venturing further onto the lake. When heading out further, it is important to walk slowly, avoid areas with large cracks and use a spud bar to test the ice as you move.
   A spud bar (ice chisel) is a tool that you use to forcefully strike the ice, looking for water bubbling up or the spud bar punching through the ice. If you see water, turn around and follow your path back to safer ice. As you move further testing with your spud bar, it is important to periodically stop and drill a test hole to physically measure the ice thickness. Upon arriving at your desired spot, drill holes several around the perimeter to ensure the ice is safe throughout the area. Additionally, during early ice when possible do not head out alone. Also, make sure to have safety gear on hand, such as ice picks, a floatation device, and a rope for potential rescues.
4. You have safely made it out to your spot and are ready to get fishing. The first thing I like to do when I am getting set-up is drill several holes. This is for a couple of reasons, first drilling holes through the ice makes a lot of noise and can spook the fish. Second, the ability to quickly move. As in all fishing patience is key, however don’t limit yourself to just one hole. If you are not having luck in one spot, pick up and try another. A short move of just 40-50’ feet can make all the difference; the fish will not always come to you. When trying to attract those fish into your lure, one of the tried and tested techniques for ice for fishing is jigging. Jigging is a technique where you create an up-and-down motion with your lure to attract fish. This technique can be somewhat of an artform, when jigging practice changing up the length and speed of your motion to find what works best for the species you are targeting.

 

Other techniques commonly used on the ice include tip-up, tip-down or dead-stick fishing. In Wisconsin an angler can have up to 3 lines in the water at one time. Since it is extremely difficult to jig three rods at the same time, these techniques allow an angler to set up additional baits and increase the chance of catching fish.

• Tip-ups: a device that holds bait set at a certain depth, allowing anglers to let the bait do the work. When a fish takes the bait, an indicator (most commonly a flag) springs up to signal the strike. This technique is most commonly used with live bait such as minnows.
• Tip-downs: similar to a tip-up but for more sensitive biting fish. Typically consisting of a rod and a tall rod holder. When a fish takes the bait, the rod will swivel down towards the hole to signal a strike. This technique is commonly used on smaller fish and baited with live bait such as small minnows or worms.

• Dead Stick: a technique where a rod is baited with dead or slow moving bait. The rod can be left in a rod holder, allowing the bait to sit motionless in the water. This technique is used when fish are lethargic and not chasing moving bait.

 

Now that you are hooked and want to find more fish. Keep in mind there is no replacement for understanding the lakes and species you are targeting. Modern technologies are available that can help you find more fish quickly. The most common devices are fish finders or flashers. These devices use sonar to locate fish and give depth readings under the ice. These technologies can be very pricey, however even the most basic models will offer a leg up and are well worth the investment.

 

Along with sonar technologies, some anglers use underwater cameras. An underwater camera will give you a live look at what is happening under the ice. With this tool you can simply watch the show broadcasted on fish TV. But more importantly, you can observe the vegetation, structure, and how the fish are reacting to your bait. With this knowledge an angler can refine their jigging technique, alter their bait presentation, or make an informed decision on moving to set up over more promising structure.

 

Once you have found the fish you will want to spend more time out on the ice. This is where an insulated shelter with a heater really helps. Historically, if you wanted to a heated space to catch fish. An angler would have to wait until the ice was thick enough to drag a heavy permanent shack out onto the ice. Well not anymore, with the advances in the portable insulated tents. It is now quick and easy to pop up a shelter, fire up a heater and have a warm place sheltered from the elements. These tents come in all shapes and sizes, accommodating a single person or an entire family.

 

When bringing the family out on the ice, know that the fish will not always be biting. During these slow times, it is a good idea to bring snacks, a thermos with warm beverages, and some games to play to keep your entire party occupied while waiting.

Before heading out, always make sure you know the regulations and your license is current. When checking regulations, be sure to research the lake you are fishing as some lakes have special regulations in addition to the statewide regulations. This information for Wisconsin can be found on the WI DNR website ( https://dnr.wisconsin.gov/topic/fishing/regulations).

 

If you are interested in giving ice fishing a try but are not sure if you will like it. Before making the initial investment, you could find a friend with gear and head out on the free fishing weekend. Every year, the full weekend before the third Monday in January and the first consecutive Saturday and Sunday in June are designated as Free Fishing Weekends throughout the state of Wisconsin. Residents and nonresidents of all ages can fish without a fishing license (and trout stamps) over these two days. However, all other fishing regulations (length limits, bag limits, seasons, etc.) apply.

 

Happy Fishing!

 

Article by Todd Starling, Trees For Tomorrow Environmental Educator