It's the middle of January, fifteen degrees out and you're bored stiff. You're sitting there thinking about fishing and wish it was spring. You do not have to wait for spring, get out there now. It's ice fishing season in the north and everyone is raring to go. A trip to your local sporting goods store will get you all the gear you will need.
Fishing through the ice is a time honored tradition. People fish on the ice to reach areas on lakes and ponds they cannot get to in warmer weather. Everyone has a place they know would be good fishing if they could only get to it. Fishing through the ice can get you there.
You will need the basics to get started. An auger, a few ice traps spooled with line and some warm clothes. Your auger can be as basic as a chisel, a hand auger or the newest in power augers. The thickness of the ice can make this decision for you. If there are only few inches of ice you can get away with a long handled chisel. If on the other hand you have a couple of feet of ice, you will want a power auger.
Next you will want some ice fishing traps. There are many types out there, the most basic being the cross bar trap. It is three pieces of wood strategically bolted together with a spool on the long bar to hold the line. These are a good and cheap way to get started.
Don't forget to pick up some bait on the way to your fishing spot. A stop at the local store will help you find the bait you need. The usual bait is live minnows or smelts. Remember to check the fishing regulations to find out what is allowed.
Now let's get some warm clothes on and go fishing. Remember to always dress in layers. You will want to take off at least one layer to drill your holes and put some back on after you are done. Take a spare pair of gloves, one pair will always get wet. You can wear most any type of boots, but they should be warm and waterproof.
You will want at least three to six inches of ice before venturing out. If the ice sags beneath your feet, back up and wait for another day, it is not safe to be out there. If the ice feels safe, poke a few holes through on your way out to the spot you want to fish. If you find plenty of ice after the first few you should be okay. Just because someone else is out there does not mean it is safe, we all have our limits we are willing to go to, to get some fresh fish.
Ok, we are ready to do some fishing. Start by drilling a couple of holes through the ice. Now you want to know how deep the water under the ice is. Take one of your traps and hang a weight on the hook and drop it down the hole until it hits bottom. Do this at least every other hole, as you may find an underwater ridge or a deep hole. You will set your bait at different depths, depending on the type of fish you are looking for. Setting your traps in an arc will make them more manageable and reduce the distance you will have to run to get to your trap.
Set up a trap in the first hole. You do this by pulling some line off the spool and hooking a minnow to the hook. Insert the hook just below the dorsal fin of the baitfish. After this is done, immediately drop the bait into the hole to keep it alive. This will allow the bait to move around and keep it alive. If the bait dies, discard it as it will not be as effective. Once you have set the first trap move on to the next hole. Now you are fishing while you finish setting up. Set the rest of the traps up and have that second coffee you have been wanting.
It's as simple as that to get started. Are you bored yet? Like open water fishing it can be a while before the fish start biting, bring a good book or a deck of cards to keep you busy between bites. A better idea is to take kids with you. They will keep you busy and you can set out more traps. With kids, you can take games, sleds, skates or toys to keep them amused between bites. Let them go around to the traps to check the bait every once in a while (make sure they don't take the bait out of the water).
Now that we have the basics, grab the kids and go fishing. Give them a reason to get out of the house and have some fun.
