A seasoned angler knows all about reels and rods, casting, fish behavior and the best places to go to relax or haul in a monster. Interestingly, many of those have never even attempted one of the more enjoyable variations on the ancient art: Ice Fishing.

Yet, ice fishing has many attractions that can’t be equaled by the ordinary sort. There are fewer anglers nearby. There are fewer insects around. And some people just aren’t crazy about hot weather, preferring the crisp, healthy air of winter. Even if you enjoy warmer weather too, it’s great to be able to fish more seasons in the year. Winter fishing produces 25% of the annual catch in Wisconsin.

But ice fishing has its own unique requirements. Different gear is needed, added safety precautions to consider, clothing add-ons and a few new techniques to learn.

Ice doesn’t freeze to a uniform thickness on lakes. The speed, temperature and source of water currents from rivers that feed some lakes can cause variations. Snow cover on the surface can affect the stability of ice. Air currents can cause erosion of the surface. All those factors, and many more, can lead to cracks and ultimately a disaster.

Though it’s surprising that anyone should even have to be warned, never park a camper or other vehicle on the ice. More than once the stress has been enough to open a hole 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 your hole and it can do double-duty to test the ice as you walk out. Be sure to secure it to your hand with a strap, though. If it slips out of your hand, you won’t be able to recover it.

Keep the hole to no more than 12 inches (30.5 cm), to keep the ice near where you stand or sit as solid and stable as possible. That also helps prevent you falling all the way through in an accident.

There are several other useful items you’ll want to bring, as well. A bucket with minnows makes for a great live bait container. You’ll want a small-mesh net in order to pull a minnow out of the bucket, in order to keep your hands out of chilly water.

You’ll undoubtedly want something to sit on while you wait for them to grab your line. A gaff hook to haul those hefty prizes out of the water will come in handy, too. A hook disgorger makes life easier, to help you get the hook out of the fish’s mouth without removing your gloves.

Be sure to wear lots of layers, with wool in the outer layers. Wool is a great insulator and it retains that ability even when wet.

Most of all, use your head at all times. If you use the proper gear and follow common sense safety guidelines, ice fishing is safe, easy and fun. But winding up in the water is everyone’s worst fishing story. Better to tell about the sea monster you caught while catching up on a good novel.

Related posts:

1. What You Need to Know About Kayak Fishing
2. Shopping for Kayak Fishing Gear
3. River Kayak Fishing: Helpful Information

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