An ice-fishing primer for the novice, a reminder to veterans

By Matt Bewley… Fergus Falls, Minnesota….Wednesday, December 20, 2006

 

 

 

The lakes and rivers are icing up, and many seasoned veterans of ice-fishing are raring to get out there and drop a line through the ice. For some of us, though, it remains a complete mystery. Here then is an ice-fishing primer for the winter fishing rookies.

For the ultimate in no-hassle ice-fishing, ice-rookies should consider hiring a guide their first time out.

“They usually have a house for rent out on the ice,” Ken’s Tackle owner Gary Peterson said. “And they’ll have it in a spot where the fish are biting.”

They will also normally supply all the fishing tackle and bait, and maybe a coffee maker in the house, so your first ice-fishing experience is more about fish and less about ice.

 

Otherwise, the first step in ice fishing is making your hole. Do this by striking the ice repeatedly with the sharp, chisel-like edge of a spud.

“This early in the season, most people will just chip through the ice with a chisel,” Bubba’s Bobbers and Bait owner Gary Henstorf said. “When the ice gets to be about 8 inches or thicker, then most will go to the power augers.”

Six inches is an adequate size hole about 95 percent of the time. Unless you are consistently fishing for very large pike or trout or you are spear fishing, the six-inch hole should do it. For panfish, five inches is fine.

After you have your hole cut, clear away the ice chips two feet around the hole. Use your foot or a skimmer to even the area. On sub-freezing days, scoop water out of the hole and splash it around. As it freezes, it will form a smooth surface. Leaving chips lying around will allow a line to catch on them while you're playing a large fish. A good, clean area can save the day.

In ice fishing, there are two basic types of devices: tip-ups and jigging poles. A tip-up is a mechanical device that's almost always baited with live bait and can be left suspended over a hole that is cut into the ice. This is commonly referred to as “set-lining.”

A jig pole is most frequently hand held by an angler, who usually uses lures instead of bait. Although tip-ups are more common, jigging is the more dynamic and productive method. The jigger is also more mobile, the lure is constantly moving and flashing, and because the jig pole is hand held, you're in direct contact with the lure. This gives you quite a bit of control.