flyfisherman

Fishing is always very exciting. There are many exciting forms of fishing. A different form of fishing is famous in different parts of the world.

Ice fishing is very famous among the people of the USA and also in Europe.

Some people take ice fishing as an adventure. Though they have a great interest in ice fishing, some people cannot go because they don’t have proper instruction and tips.

In this article, I am going to tell you how you can start ice fishing and some very important tips about fishing in the ice.

How you can start ice fishing

Don’t be sad if you are not getting much information about fishing in the ice. You don’t have to sit inside the house because you don’t know how to get started with ice fishing.

After reading this post, you will know how to start ice fishing and you will also know some important tips and tricks about ice fishing.

Get an ice fishing license

Some ice fishing places require a license for fishing. If you are going to Iceland or northern European countries for ice fishing, they may want to see an ice fishing license from you.

So, before starting your ice fishing journey, it is better to get a license. You can make your own ice fishing license from the local authority.

Find someone to go with you 

Going alone for ice fishing is not a great idea. There can be dangers on every step on the ice. You can fall in an ice hole. At that time, there should be someone to pull you outside. 

So, make a team with someone who is also interested in ice fishing. You can also go with a group for ice fishing.

Decide where to ice fish

Before going for ice fishing, decide the place where you will go. There are some states in America which will not allow you for ice fishing due to safety reason of yours. 

So, before going to a random place, gather information about that place whether they will allow you for ice fishing or not. Also decide the place of ice fishing whether it’s as a pond, lake or river.

Check the weather

Ice fishing can be a lot difficult at night. So, before going to a place, for this reason, know the time of sunset so that you don't get stuck in darkness. During the winter, it is possible to get dark so early. So, be careful about this.

Weather can change dramatically during the winter season. So, take the weather updates before fishing.

Proper clothing

As you are going in such an extreme weather condition, it is important to wear the proper clothing according to the extreme cold situation. 

The only thing that can save you from that cold is layers of clothing. Two or three layers of clothing can be the best option. Woolen clothes and synthetic thick clothes can save you from the cold. At the very outer part of your clothing can be a windbreaker. 

A windbreaker will resist the cool air from getting inside your clothes and it will also keep you warm inside. 

Wear a good quality winter hat to protect your ears and heads from the cold.

Bring the right gear

To enjoy the ice fishing completely and ensure safety you must bring proper fishing gear with you. Without the proper gear, it will become very difficult for you.

Many people bring a spud with them to check the density of the ice where they are fishing. You can also take a spud and check the layer of the ice before stepping on them.

After setting the bait, you may have to wait for long hours for the fish. It will become difficult for you to stand for such a long time. You can take shanties to make your own shelter in the ice fishing ground. It will also protect your fishing holes from strong wind.

You can also bring a portable chair with you and sit on that during the waiting hours.

Take a portable hand warmer in the fishing field. It will make your hands warm if the weather goes worst.

You must have an auger to drill holes in the ice. You will also need an ice scoop to remove the extra ice on the sides of the ice holes.

There are some good rods and reels which are best for ice fishing. Before buying a rod and reel for your ice fishing trip, make sure they are good for the ice fishing condition.

Catching a fish depends a lot on the perfect bait. Bring the perfect bait for the specific fish you want to catch. A little research will help you to find out which bait is perfect for which fish.

Setting up the hole

After you do all the works properly, now it’s time for the most important work, setting up the hole properly.

To set the hole properly, at first you have to choose the right spot to dig the hole. You can survey the lake or river where the fishes are gathering or you can select one of the favorite spots of fishing. 

Now dig the hole using an auger. Select a diameter of the hole and dig according to that. After digging the hole, make it smoother with the help of an ice scoop.

After digging the hole, put the reel with bait inside the hole and cover the hole with a plastic bucket head or something like that. The cover will help you to protect the hole from getting more ice in there. 

Now you have done all the tough parts and now all you have to do is just wait for the fish to bite on your lure.

Conclusion

Ice fishing is a very adventurous activity. The main thing you need to be a success in this is patience and using proper gears. You also have to be careful about the extremely cold weather conditions. It is better to go with an expert person or in a group if you are doing it for the first time. So, what are you waiting for? Just grab the gears and enjoy the thrill of ice fishing.