How to Go Ice Fishing

Ice fishing is popular with sportsmen in the north. It's an excellent way to get away from it all or spend some relaxing, quiet time with a few fishing friends. There are a plethora of lures, baits and fishing tools to choose from. Get the basics and get started with ice fishing.

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

Instructions

Get Prepared

1. Dress warmly. Wear layers to keep your body temperature warm.

2. Visit local sports shops and fishing equipment stores to find out what is biting, what bait to use and where to go.

3. Get a license to ice fish.

4. Pack your bag. You'll need a fishing line and pole, bait bucket, ice auger, bait, lures, bench, a towel, a depth finder, food and water. You might even consider a waterproof heater.

5. Call for ice conditions before you walk out on the ice. It is not always as thick as it looks. The ice should be at least 4 inches thick and hard frozen. Snow depth on the top doesn't count.

Go Fishing

6. Find an ice shanty near other fisherman. The locals usually know where the fish are biting.

7. Dig a hole using an ice auger. Skim out as much of the ice chips and remnants as you can. Floating ice can break your line.

8. Use a dip net when baiting your line. It will keep your hands out of the water.

9. Weigh your line down so you can fish close to the bottom of the lake. The water in a frozen lake is warmer at the bottom and most types of fish congregate there.

10. Wait quietly and patiently. Fish not biting? Move down a few yards.

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