Ice fishing is an amazing winter sport that involves catching fish in frozen lakes. You don’t need a boat or expensive gizmos, just a few tools to cut holes in the ice and some basic gear to fish them. Ice fishing is fun for the whole family and you can get started in 8 easy steps.
Step 1
Find a good fishing spot on the Where to Boat and Fish map. Target the first 50-100 yards from shore in depths of 5-15 feet. Try to fish near other anglers who have likely found some fish on safe ice.
Step 2
Make sure the lake you choose has safe ice, at least 5 inches thick. You can check ice reports at your local bait shop. Drill holes as you walk out every 10-20 yards to check ice thickness.
Step 3
Staying warm and safe on the ice is critically important. Make sure to dress up in warm winter clothes and gear up on the safety items below.
- Safety Picks: Ice picks worn around the neck to pull yourself back onto the ice if you fall in
- Life Jacket: Flotation device in case you fall in
- Cleats: Metal spikes worn on your boots to safely walk on ice
Step 4
Equip yourself with essential ice fishing gear. The checklist below contains the necessities to get out and fish through the ice.
- Auger: 6 to 10-inch ice drill that rotates to cut holes in the ice
- Scoop: Small ladle to clear slush out from your ice hole
- Ice Rod & Reel: Smaller reel on a 28-inch rod to conveniently fish over a hole
- Ice Jig Heads: Small metal jigs with small hooks to fish live/artificial ice bait
- Spikes: Live wax worms used as bait to entice a bite
Step 5
Drill your holes and scoop out your slush with an ice scoop.
Step 6
Tie on your ice jig and bait it with 2-3 spikes.
Step 7
Jig your bait 1-2 feet off the bottom with small lifts and pauses. Bites often happen on the pause.
Step 8
Reel your fish up, remove the hook and gently work the fish’s tail back in the hole to release.
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