Ice Fishing? Are you kidding?

Before moving up to northern Michigan, I vaguely remember going ice fishing once with my dad when I was about 8 years old. Down in southern Illinois the weather rarely got cold enough to freeze up the lakes to walk or skate on. If someone tried to drive their pickup out on a lake down there they would most likely be committed to an institution…after they were rescued.

Up in the Great White North, ice fishing is a way of life and a privilege. After all, where else can you go out when the mercury is hiding down around the –10 mark, sit on an up-side-down five gallon bucket, and catch fish through a six inch hole in the ice? Retired geezers all over the South are ringing their hands with jealously.

Seriously, ice fishing is great fun and you can be warm as toast out there in that fresh air. It’s a great way to get out of the house starting around late January. The holidays are over, the grandkids have opened up all their gifts and gone home, and you need a break from Oprah and Dr. Phil.

The equipment required, for this activity is somewhat limited. Like any other hobby or sport, you can go as crazy as your wallet will allow. I have found that like a lot of things…less is more. Remember...... you have to drag it all out there and then drag it back. The basics might consist of the following:

• 1 – 5 gallon plastic bucket with lid (your seat & tackle box all in one)
• 2 – jigging poles
• 1 - ice auger and or spud (ice chisel)
• 1 – ice skimmer
• 1 – minnow bucket and dip net
• 2 – tip ups
• 1 – gaff hook
• 1 – hook disgorger
• 1 – toboggan or sled to pull your stuff around
• 1 – pocket knife
• 2 – depth finder lead weights with clips
• 1 – State Fishing License
• 1 - bottle whiskey and a jug of hot coffee

• Small #10 and #12 hooks for panfish, #3 hooks for walleye, 2/0 to 6/0 hooks for Northern pike.
• Jigs in a variety of sizes and colors along with an assortment of ice flies will round out your kit. See the friendly folks at the local bait store.
• An assortment of lead split-shot along with some small slip bobbers.
• 2-4 Lb. test line for panfish – 10 Lb. test line for game fish.
• Live bait – minnows, meal worms, leeches are some of your choices.

Once you have had the fun of getting your outfit together, give some thought to keeping warm. Remember to dress in layers and wear warm socks and boots. Take along extra gloves or mittens. A stocking cap is a must and a heavy parka is a big plus. I like those little heat packets that are available in the sporting goods stores. They are great to slip inside your mittens to warm up your fingers after taking that last fish off. A thermos of coffee or hot chocolate is worth its weight in gold. Granola bars or candy bars are nice to snack on.

Safety should be your number one concern. You definitely don’t want to go for a swim. Most recommend that you stay off the ice until there is at least 4” of good clear ice. Before going too far from shore, check the thickness. As you proceed further, check it several times along the way. If there are paths from previous fisherman, stay on them. Stay away from outlets, inlets, springs, or anyplace where there is moving water. You can also buy a neat little safety gadget that consists of two ice picks connected by a cord. You should drape these around your neck to keep them handy. If you do break through, they allow you to pull yourself out of the hole and back onto solid ice. Hopefully you will never get to try them out.

Once you are ready to go, follow the crowd. If you see a cluster of ice fisherman, go out and join them. If they are there, it must be a good spot. Just remember not to crowd them…there is plenty of room.

In Michigan, each fisherman is allowed two lines in the water. One can be a jigging rod and the other can be a tip up.

Try fishing 6-12” off the bottom and then work your way up to find the proper depth. Experiment and learn from the old timers. Soon you will be thinking about buying or building an ice shanty or portable shelter.

Congratulations, you are now a “hardwater” fisherman.