Wondering what you need to go ice fishing, and how to start?
If you’ve never ice-fished before, these tips will tell you everything you need to know to have a successful outing once your lake freezes up.
Estimated reading time: 6 minutes
Just because it's winter, that doesn’t mean your outdoor activities have to come to a standstill. Ice fishing is an inexpensive and easy-to-learn winter activity that will help you secure your own food supply, even in the harshest conditions.
Ice fishing is a great opportunity to get out of the house (or cabin) this winter, build self-reliance skills, and spend some time on the ice with family and friends.
Be Prepared – Use the Right Equipment
What equipment do you need for ice fishing?
To start, make sure you have a warm coat, gloves, toque, etc. Also, extremely warm, waterproof boots are essential since you'll be standing on ice the entire time. There’s nothing worse than heading out on the ice, getting set up, then realizing you’re freezing and have to head back in. Be prepared and wear multiple layers.
You can also buy pop-up shelters. They're lightweight and insulated to give you some relief from the cold wind on the ice. These shelters are great, but not a necessity for ice fishing.
Once you’re buttoned up in your cold-weather gear, you will need these items to get started ice fishing:
- An ice auger (manual or gas-powered), 6 – 8 inch
- Ice skimmer
- Folding chair or stool
- Ice fishing rod
- Bait (live minnows)
- Bucket
- Ice safety kit
- Tacklebox
When purchasing an ice auger, I would suggest just starting with a manual one. They are much cheaper than the gas-powered models, and you don’t want to spend a lot of money if you don’t end up loving ice fishing. Plus, gas-powered augers require annual maintenance and care and often have issues operating in extremely cold climates.
The rest of the items are standard and honestly, not too expensive. Chances are you have most of them already. If not, you can get creative repurposing tools from around the house to suit your needs.
If you know someone who already loves ice fishing, check out the Ultimate Fishing Gift Guide for great ideas!
Safe Ice Fishing Conditions
The most important part of fishing on ice is safety, so always check the ice conditions before going on any ice in the winter.
You want a minimum thickness of four inches to walk on ice safely, but the thicker the better. Keep in mind that ice is generally thicker close to shore, so use an ice pole to test the ice in front of you as you’re walking on the ice.
As an added safety feature, you may want to invest in a flotation-rated jacket and bibs. This specialized apparel is designed to help you float in the event that you break through the ice. If you end up loving ice-fishing and spend more time out on the ice, I would recommend getting some, as it brings you more peace of mind in case an emergency were to present itself. However, even if you don't have flotation-rated gear, you can still add some protection with a proper ice safety kit.
Avoid any areas of the lake that have current or natural springs, since they can create dangerous ice conditions. If you’re unsure of the ice conditions, most counties or popular ice fishing lakes will update ice conditions on their website or other signage.
Where Should I Go Ice-Fishing?
Before getting out on the lake, make sure you have a valid fishing license for your state or province. Most states sell fishing licenses online, or at various stores and establishments. If you’re not sure where to get one, check out the U.S Fish & Wildlife Services website. In Canada, you'll need to check your provincial or territorial website to get your fishing license.
Once you have the proper license, find a local lake or pond popular with ice fishers. Driving past frozen lakes in the winter, you'll notice huts scattered throughout the vast ice covering.
If you see lots of huts, anglers, and tip-ups on a lake, it’s probably a great fishing spot. The experienced ice fishers know more than you do, so head towards the area of the lake with the most people fishing to get a good spot. Don’t drill your hole too close to existing holes, try and give a minimum of 30 feet spacing between you and the next closest fisherman. It's basic fishing etiquette.
How to Set Your Line and Catch Fish on the Ice
Ready to give it a try? You'll find basic instructions on how to set your line and catch fish on the ice in the handy instruction card below. ⬇️ ⬇️ Print it out and take it with you!
Ice Fishing for Beginners: How to Get Started
Learn how to get started ice fishing, what you'll need, and what to watch out for.
Tools
- A 6 or 8-inch ice auger (manual or gas-powered)
- Ice skimmer
- Folding chair or stool
- Ice fishing rod
- Bait (live minnows)
- Bucket
- Ice safety kit
- Tacklebox
Instructions
- Drill a hole.
- Use the ice skimmer to remove any chunks of ice from the hole.
- Set your bait on your line, and drop it all the way to the bottom.
- Reel in about two feet so your bait is just off the bottom, in prime fishing space.
- Depending on the type of fish you're targeting, different lures, and jigging techniques might work better. Do some research beforehand on the types of fish in the lake, and what types of lure and bait work best for them.
- If you are set up at a hole for over an hour with no bites, grab your gear and head to a different spot on the lake to try again.
Notes
Fishing on ice might seem like a cold, boring winter activity but it’s just as enjoyable as summer fishing. Bring your family and friends, good food, warm drinks and you’ll have a great time even if you don’t catch anything.
There’s a lot of different and expensive ice fishing gear that can seem attractive to beginners, but it’s not necessary. If you’re just starting out, get the essentials and see if you like it. It’s simple to learn, and a nice way to break up those bleak winter days.
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Depending on the type of fish you have available in your area, you may have an extremely bountiful ice fishing experience. If you have more fish than you know what to do with, try preserving your catch using one of these traditional methods.
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