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