10 Ice Fishing Tips

How many of you know one, or are one, of those die-hard fishermen needing to learn about ten ice fishing tips? You know, the ones that have their tackle box out the second day in to the New Year while dreaming of spring. Well if you’re one of those, why not try your hand at these ice fishing tips? Here are ten tips for going out on that frozen lake in search of tonight’s supper.

1. Always fish with a buddy. This is pretty self-explanatory, if anything should happen to one of you, there is someone to either help or go for help.
2. Test the ice. Ice should be at least 4” thick; Snowmobiles and ATV’s need at least 5”, and cars and light trucks at least 8-12”. Make sure ice is thick and clear.
3. Fish in small groups. Gathering in large groups can cause the ice to crack, and an accident to happen.
4. Dress in layers. Dressing in layers allows you to take clothes off when you are up and moving around and warming up and then put them back on when you are sitting still and cool off.
5. Don’t build a fire on the ice. Again, I think this is pretty self-explanatory. Ice and fire do not mix.
6. Wear a life jacket. If you happen to fall in due to breaking ice, not only will the live vest keep you afloat, it will also help to keep you warm and to avoid hypothermia.
7. Carry homemade ice picks with you. If you should happen to fall in, they can aid you in trying to get a “hold” on the ice and pull yourself out of the water and up on to the ice.
8. Make sure you wear a hat. Most of a person’s body heat is lost through their head. Wearing a hat helps to keep you warm.
9. Beware of wind. Wind, and even water current, can help to break ice.
10. Make sure to bring a first aid kit and blankets. It is always a good idea to have a first aid kit on hand, you never know when someone might injure themselves. And should the worst happen and someone falls though the ice, the blankets will be invaluable in helping them to warm back up.

Now that we have given you ten tips to make ice fishing easier for you, why not head on out to the lake and check out the ice. It is a nice cure for the cabin fever that starts to set in during a long winter.

References:

Ice_safety_brochure. (2008). Retrieved from http://www.wildlife.state.nh.us/Fishing/Fishing_PDFs/Ice_Safety_Brochure.pdf

Smalley, T. (1998). Ice fishing safety information. Retrieved from http://www.walleyehunter.com/icesafety.html