Ice Fishing Basics

Just because the weather has turned cooler and the snow has begun to fall in some parts of the country doesn’t mean our fishing gear has to go into hibernation.

In fact, for many hardy souls—especially in the Upper Midwest, Pennsylvania, New York, and beyond—the change in temperatures signals the start of the new season: the ice fishing season.

Ice fishing is a rite of passage in some families, a time-honored tradition passed down through generations. For others, it’s a type of fishing they’ve heard a lot about but never tried. 

We’ve all seen the images of ice fishing: Small groups of heavily clothed anglers on frozen lakes or ponds somewhere in Minnesota or Wisconsin, huddled around a hole they’re drilled in the ice, trying to stay warm while waiting to catch a walleye, perch or another hungry fish.

The old-school charms of ice fishing may be mystifying to some anglers. After all, the ice can seem bewildering; how can you fish in water you can barely see? But for others, it’s a fishing activity they’re curious to explore. They want to try it; they just need to understand what it takes. Fishbox is here to help.

First And Foremost: Safety

The last thing any angler wants is to fall through an icy lake into frigid waters. It’s uncomfortable (to say the very least) and could be deadly.

Ice fishing begins with checking the thickness of the ice to ensure stability. Local bait shops will know the conditions, but checking thickness with a chisel or drill is always advised.

According to the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, “clear, new” ice that’s at least 4 inches thick will support a man of average size, 5-7  inches will support a snowmobile, and  12-15 inches a truck. Most increase these thickness measures by 50 percent to account for ice strength and thickness variations. 

Some old-timers we spoke with noted they would never get on ice less than 5 inches thick and always avoid snow-covered lakes or pond surfaces.

And don’t forget that ice thickness and strength can vary. Moving water does not form strong ice. For that reason, it’s best to avoid rivers (with the possible exception being a protected cove) and stick with lakes or ponds.

The rule of thumb with ice fishing is avoiding any locale that’s even remotely questionable. This is especially true in the early and late winter or during extended thaws. When in doubt, stay on shore.

Ice Fishing Safety Equipment

There are three basics when it comes to getting prepared to ice fish: Stay safe, stay warm, and keep your feet dry. Nothing will shorten an ice fishing day on the lake or pond for ice than getting cold and wet. 

For safety, most anglers bring a kit that includes metal cleats for their waterproof boots, a personal floatation device (PFD), a whistle, handspikes, and a rope with knots or a loop at the end attached to a buoy that can be used if anyone falls through the ice. Bringing sand to sprinkle around the cut holes to avoid slippage is also a good tip.

[Another tip: Some ice fishing enthusiasts also consider coffee/warm beverages and food to be essential inclusions to any on-ice endeavor, along with never fishing alone.] 

Experienced ice anglers typically carry an ice spud—a steel bar about 4-5 feet long with a tapered blade at its end. When venturing onto unfamiliar frozen bodies of water, they tap the surface ahead of them. Solid ice responds with a sharp, solid sound.

Keeping warm and staying dry is key to an enjoyable ice-fishing outing. Today’s ice anglers must dress in layers and employ synthetic materials that wick away water and moisture. That means avoiding cotton—which retains water.

For the first layer, wear shirts with Lycra, Spandex, or Polyester as the main fabrics. They’ll wick away water and help keep you warm. On top of that layer, use clothes made primarily of wool or fleece to retain body heat. Clothes for the outer layer—or outer shell—should be water-resistant and breathable. Think Gore-Tex for most applications.

And, of course, don’t forget gloves with a warm inner layer and a waterproof outer layer.

In recent years, a wide selection of ice fishing suits has emerged. Whether they’re bib-overall style or full body, they’re purpose-built to help keep anglers warm and dry while ice fishing. Prices range from $250-$1,000.

It’s critical that the feet be kept dry and protected from outdoor elements. Start with a sock liner and wool, fleece, or synthetic socks. Make sure your boots are well-insulated and waterproof.

Ice Fishing Gear

You can have the best ice fishing gear on the planet, but every ice fishing trip –after checking for ice thickness, of course—begins with cutting holes in the ice.

There are several options to choose from when cutting holes for ice fishing. Keep in mind that you will better your chances of hooking up by cutting numerous holes. Check local regulations on the maximum number of holes allowed per angler. Keep the width of the holes you cut in mind, too.

Cutting holes typically requires a spud or an auger, a large drill powered by hand, or a small motor. Use a spud in the early season (for chipping out holes) and a hand or power auger once the ice becomes thick. There are numerous auger brands; ask locals or the nearby bait shop to see which ones do the best job. Like a drill bit, the auger’s diameter determines the width of the hole. Eight-inch augers are the most popular, but if you’re on a lake with huge fish, go with a 10-inch.

Once you’ve cut holes, you’re ready to fish. Small rods are used for vertical jigging, lightly bouncing the bait in the water, and dangling live bait such as minnows or grubs. Rigs tend to be short and simple—sophisticated reels are not necessary. Most use 8-10 pound test lines with fluorocarbon leaders.

While live bait, such as minnows, grubs, wax worms, or nightcrawlers, have enduring popularity, lightweight  1/4 or 1/8-ounce jigs with small rattling baits and tungsten lures are also safe bets for most fish and locales. We’ve been told to try pink, chartreuse, and glow-in-the-dark colors for jigs and to vary the depth and speed of jigging to see what works best.

Glide baits resembling minnows are also effective. The Jigging Rapala, Moonshine Shiver Minnow, and Northland Puppet Minnow are all popular with ice anglers.

For those not jigging with several holes to tend, the use of a tip-up (or fish indicator) is a smart addition to any ice-fishing toolbox. Tip-up rigs consist of a vertical post that sits on the ice, a horizontal post that extends over the hole, and a spool that holds the fishing line. 

When a fish takes the bait, the unspooling of the line triggers the release of a small flag or other signal, indicating a hit. The angler then goes quickly to the tip-up, takes up the line with his/her fingers, sets the hook, and hand reels the fish in.

Tip-ups are also beneficial when ice fishing in poor weather, as they can be checked from a distance (in some cases, this means a truck or tent).

Where To Go Ice Fishing

Excellent ice fishing destinations can be found across much of the northern reaches of the Lower 48, but we’re partial to the Upper Midwest and nearby locales. Here are some top spots for ice fishing, whether you’re just starting out or an experienced pro.” 

Lake of the Woods, Minnesota (and Canada)

Lake of the Woods offers some of the best ice fishing in the United States, with the season running from December through late March.

The self-proclaimed “Walleye Capital of the World” encompasses sections of Minnesota, along with Ontario and Manitoba, Canada, and features more than 14,500 islands. Along with walleye, you’ll have plenty of opportunities to catch northern pike, sauger, yellow perch, cisco, crappies, and more.

The massive Lake of the Woods caters to ice fishing enthusiasts like a few other destinations. In Minnesota alone, there are more than 50 resorts, hotels, rentals, and sleeper fish houses available on the lake., along with plenty of local experts and guides.

Read also: Complete Guide to Minnesota Fishing Licenses

Devils Lake, North Dakota

The largest natural body of water in North Dakota, Devils Lake spans 180,000 acres and bills itself as the “Perch Capital of the World.”

Typically offering solid ice from mid-December through late March, Devils Lake is known for its massive perch as well as walleyes, white bass, and northern pike. The catch limits at Devils Lake are very generous: 20 perch can be caught daily, along with five pike and walleyes.

There are also plenty of bait shops, guides, and hotels/resorts catering to the ice-fishing crowd. Some hotels and resorts even offer on-ice transportation, according to the Devils Lake website, and boast “the most indoor, heated fish-cleaning stations per capita than any other locale.”

Saginaw Bay, Michigan

Part of Lake Huron, Saginaw Bay spans 1,143 square miles and rivals the Lake of the Woods for walleye, along with yellow perch, whitefish, and lake trout. Unlike some other locales, ice fishing typically doesn’t start until mid-January, and the use of guides is suggested due to shifting ice sheets caused by winds.

Lake Winnebago, Wisconsin

Wisconsin’s largest inland lake—and joined with smaller lakes Poygan, Winneconne, and Butte des Morts in a system often called the “Winnebago Pool”—Lake Winnebago attracts ice anglers from all over the country.

This nearly 140,000-acre lake–located approximately 40 miles from Green Bay, Wisc.– provides outstanding ice fishing for walleye, sauger, yellow perch, channel catfish, and white bass. 

There are also opportunities for winter spearfishing targeting lake sturgeon.

Lake Champlain, Vermont/New York/Canada

A fishing and boating haven during the warmer months, Lake Champlain transforms into an ice-fishing mecca during the winter months. Running more than 100 miles along the Vermont-New York line (with a small northern portion in Quebec), features a large variety of fish, including northern pike, walleye, lake trout, and various panfish such as yellow perch, white perch, and crappies.

Ice anglers working the northeast part of the lake—sometimes referred to as the Inland Sea—also have chances to hook into landlocked Atlantic salmon.

Lake Simcoe, Canada 

For years, Lake Simcoe in Ontario, Canada, has been known as one of the must-fish destinations in the northeastern part of the country. Its popularity is on the upswing: It’s not unusual to see 4,000 small fish huts on the lake during the winter months. 

Lake trout and whitefish typically reside in the lake’s deeper sections, while large  Smallmouth bass and perch can be found in midwater. In the mid-depth areas. Shallower water typically yields Largemouth bass, northern pike, and several types of panfish.

Read also: Lake Fishing: Essential Tips for Catching Fish in Lakes

Tips and Tricks On Ice Fishing

While ice fishing can be an amazing adventure, every sojourn needs to start with safety gear. Once that’s covered, the next step is staying warm and dry and lastly, making your trip worthwhile and catching fish. Here’s a basic checklist to make sure your bases are covered:

• It’s better to partner up for any ice fishing trip;
• Ask around for the latest ice thickness measurements or test for yourself (if there are any doubts, stay on shore);
• Make sure your safety gear is covered and easily accessible;
• Waterproof boots and layered clothing are mandatory;
• Bring an auger to cut multiple holes (along with some spare fuel, if applicable);
• Bring appropriate rods and reels, depending on what’s hitting at your locale;
• Pack a mixture of live bait and lures;
• Snacks/hot drinks will always come in handy.

Conclusion

For most anglers, ice fishing seems like the last frontier. Chances are, most have tried fresh and saltwater fishing in every imaginable body of water (even golf course ponds!). But ice fishing is different; there are climatic conditions to contend with, safety and staying warm are priorities, and seeing little more than a hole you’ve cut in the ice all makes for an interesting, new experience.

Families who have ice-fished for generations understand this. They mark their calendars and gas up their snowmobiles at the sign of the first frost. For others, ice fishing represents a new opportunity to test their fishing acumen while adapting to what can be rugged conditions. It’s a challenge at times, without a doubt. But certainly, one worth facing.