Ice Fishing for Beginners
The first rule is rather obvious, but cannot be taken for granted. Make sure the ice is safe. First timers should wait until there is at least six inches of safe ice on the ponds and lakes before venturing out. Black ice, clear with only air bubbles in it, is safer than white ice, ice that is not clear because it contains snow that has melted and then refrozen. Test the ice on the shore by drilling a hole or two where it is not deep. If you see fisherman out on the ice, ask them the thickness. Access maps to lakes and ponds in your area over the internet to learn the depths of where you intend to fish. You DO NOT need to fish in deep water to catch fish. I am almost always fishing in water that is less than six feet deep.
You will need the following equipment to ice fish safely.
Tip-ups: These are devices that have a spool of line on a reel that can be submerged through a hole in the ice. There are a variety of tip-ups available on the market. Mine are wood, with the reel attached. They can be opened up so that the wood is in the shape of an X over the hole with another piece perpendicular to the hole. On one end of this is the reel; on the other end is a device that holds a small red or orange flag. The basic concept of the tip-up is that when the fish grabs the bait, the flag goes up in the air, letting the fisherman know he has a bite. Tip-ups come in so many different types today; an especially ingenious one is shaped like a saucer. It fits right over the hole, keeping the hole from freezing over in especially cold weather. With this type you can actually see if the fish is taking line as you approach it. Whichever type you opt for, make sure it is fitted with enough line. The line is not what you use on a normal fishing pole. It is more like twine. A tip-up complete with line will cost about fifteen dollars. In Connecticut, a fisherman over sixteen years old can only have six tip-ups deployed at once. Check the fishing regulations for your state to see how many you are allowed.
An ice auger: This tool will drill holes in the ice for you, no small task when there is over a foot of ice to go through. There are gas powered augers and hand augers. I own a hand auger. The blades must be kept sharp; mine are dropped off locally to be sharpened twice a season. My auger can drill an eight inch hole in a foot of ice in about forty seconds. Gas powered augers will drill holes much quicker. I would recommend a hand auger for beginners. They cost about thirty to forty dollars. Gas augers can run from under two hundred to four hundred depending on the make and model.
The usual fishing tackle: I use a number four hook to ice fish with. I buy snelled number four hooks {Hooks already tied to fishing line with a loop on the end} and I attach sinkers above where the hook is tied on. Many ice fishermen will attach their hooks to a steel leader, so that species such as northern pike and pickerel can’t bite through the line. I have a tackle box full of gear such as knives, extra line, hooks, sinkers, pliers; everything you would use fishing in the summer. I have an electronic scale to weigh fish and a tape measure to see how long they are. You will also need a bait bucket.
Ice picks: These are simply a rope that has a sharp pick on each end. If you have the misfortune of falling through the ice, they can save your life. You can wear them through the arms of your jacket; picture holding a jump rope behind your head that is the length of your arms. Thread them through your sleeves with the rope going behind your neck. Now if you go through, you can use them to crawl out. They do you no good if you don’t have them on you when you are trying to get out of a hole!
Any type of sled: I use a plastic sled to haul my stuff around on the ice. There are more elaborate set-ups. If you own a truck, which I do not, you can make or buy a sled that is not unlike a large toolbox on runners. You will see a plethora of rigs when you go.
Ice ladles: These are used to scoop ice chips out of the holes you drill.
Do not go ice fishing alone! Always go with a partner. Let your family know where you are going and when you plan to return. Dress in layers. You will be amazed how warm you can get, even out on the ice on a cold day. Better to have too many clothes on than not enough. You can always take a sweater or shirt off as you get hot.
For bait, I always use medium shiners. They cost me about $2.50 a dozen at the local bait shop. I buy three or four dozen at a time. The owners of the bait shop will usually also sell ice fishing tackle and tell you where they know of safe ice. Pick their brains: they understand that if you become hooked on the sport that you will be a steady customer, so they will be more than happy to help.
Once on the ice, decide where you will fish and drill your holes. Space them out, but avoid infringing on other fisherman. When you put your tip-up in the hole, take a shiner and hook him right under the fin on his back. Do not hook it through the body. Hook it so the fish is able to swim. Set the flag mechanism carefully so that it does not go off and catch you in the face. Place the tip-up in the hole and do the same for the rest of your holes.
Time now to wait for a flag to go off! On windy days, set the tip-up so that the wind cannot trip the flag. Face the mechanism into the wind so that it blows against where the flag is set on the tip-up. When a flag goes off, go to the tip-up and look to see if any line is running off of the reel. Carefully take the tip-up out of the water and lay it down on the ice. Hold the line and try to feel the fish. Some fish will be hightailing it with the shiner; others, will be deciding if they are going to make a meal of the shiner. Try to hook the fish when you decide the time is right. Set the hook hard. If you hooked the fish, you will feel him fighting! Pull the line in and realize that as the fish approaches the opening, it is going to get spooked. Pull the fish out and away from the hole. You will gain a feel for hooking fish and getting them out of the water and “icing” them.You will lose your share before you gain the experience you need, and after! As a rule, bass and pike take the shiner and go. Perch and pickerel might not be so obvious. Watch other fisherman and ask questions. They are almost always glad to impart their knowledge.
If there is a scarcity of action, move to another area. I have been known to drill fifty holes in one day to find fish. You will inevitably find that one or two holes, the “honey holes”,will produce more than their share of bites. Place the bait bucket in a central location so you do not have to make a long trek to it. Bring it with you when a flag goes up so you don’t have to walk back to replace a shiner that has been taken by a fish.
I wear boots with the laces undone, so that in an emergency I can kick them off if I fall through. Wool socks are essential to keep your feet warm. Hand warming devices can be purchased as well. If you cannot keep warm on the ice, you will not enjoy the experience.
I have emphasized the safety aspect of ice fishing in this article. Do not ignore it. If you become an avid ice fisherman, consider investing in a floatation suit or a life jacket. Always make sure you are licensed and obey limit and size regulations in regard to your catch. A beginner can expect to spend about $250 on the average to be properly prepared to ice fish. It can be money well spent to help pass the winter months.
