How to Catch Fish in Ice Fishing
Ice fishing is a cold-weather sport that uses spears or short rods and lines to catch fish through a hole in the ice. This usually takes place on frozen lakes or slow frozen rivers. A variety of fish can be caught depending on the area. Most areas have restrictions on the use of spears, so line fishing is the most practical method when ice fishing.
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Location
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Select your location with care. The ice must be thick enough for you to walk on (at least four inches) and checked regularly, as currents, vegetation and even schools of fish can alter the thickness of the ice. If you are considering driving a small car on the ice, you need a minimum ice thickness of 10 inches. Obtain whatever licenses and permissions you need before you go. If in doubt, check the state or regional website for information. Finally check the weather as blizzards or sudden warm spells can make ice fishing hazardous.
Preparation
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You will need several pieces of equipment: a pole and line, bait, hooks, an ice auger, a skimmer, a spring bobber and weights. In addition, wrap up warmly, as it will be cold out there. A chair and a boat seat are useful additions, as they will keep you comfortable. A vacuum flask with a hot drink of choice is also ideal. Shelters and heaters can be used; however they too have to be transported onto the ice, which can be time-consuming.
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Setup
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Using the ice auger, drill a hole near the edge of the lake to check the depth of the ice. Alternatively, use a cordless drill with a wood bit on the end. If the ice is thick enough, take measurements every 150 yards. When you have reached your chosen spot, drill a hole in the ice using the auger. This should be no more than eight inches across, although smaller holes can be used for smaller fish. Use the skimmer to remove the ice chips from the hole. Set up your pole and line and place the spring bobber onto the end of the pole. Tie the hook onto the end of the line, attach the weights, place the bait of choice onto the hook and lower into the hole. Periodically skim the reforming ice from the hole as necessary.
Catching Fish
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The spring bobber will bob noticeably when a fish takes the hook, so keep your rod still while you wait. If you have a reel, slowly turn the handle, letting the fish exhaust itself. If you don't have a reel, gently pull the line in, keeping it taut. The fish will struggle; this is normal. The important thing is to keep the line taut without applying too much pressure that will yank the hook out of the fish's mouth. When you have landed the fish, remove the hook and either release it or stun it using the skimmer. Repeat as often as desired.
Catching More Fish
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In a lake, there are generally good areas and bad areas to catch fish. Look for where holes have been drilled before, often seen as a dent in the ice. If you see a lot of holes drilled in a small area, this is likely to be a good fishing spot. Certain fish, such as trout, tend to float a meter below the surface, so drop your line to this depth. If you are fishing for perch or walleye, keep your bait a foot from the bottom. You'll notice the line go slack when you hit the bottom, so lift it up a little when you see this. If you are using live bait, such as minnows or worms, replace them every thirty minutes. These wriggle, so they quickly attract attention.
Safety
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Always use the buddy system when ice fishing. This ensures that when accidents happen, you have someone to help. Having a spare change of clothes, a heater and a shelter increases your chances of survival in the event of an accident. Always check local weather reports and ask experienced anglers for advice. They are likely to know the hazards of a particular lake. Finally, always dress warmly in layers.
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References
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