Ice fishing tips for those braving the cold

I had prepared my ice fishing gear, paying special attention to my Arctic boots and padded, chemical foot warmers.

With three spots previously scoped out for crappies and big bluegills, I eagerly awaited the good news-bad news predictions from one of the teleprompter readers pretending to be knowledgeable about the local weather outlook.

I gazed upon the high-def screen waiting for the usual spiel and computerized antics (moving weather graphic) so I could make a snap decision as to go or stay home and keep all my body parts protected. My body ruled the day, and you know the rest of the story.

Of course, when I lived in Minnesota and enjoyed three-day outings on Lake Mille Lacs, my ice-fishing pal and I would stay overnight in those wooden ice shanties with big heaters and bunk beds.

I spoke with pro bass angler Mike Iaconelli earlier in the week just as he came off the ice on Mille Lacs.

"We haven't had much luck or activity yet," he said, "but we'll just have to wait and see." How optimistic, even with 20-below air temperatures.

Here are some of the problems during encounters with the super-cold conditions. These are not doomsday issues, but rather some nasty ones that could make for miserable days.

I know that "Petros the Infallible," the only giant of an angler who can scare a jumbo muskie into submission, would rather sit in front of his fireplace and reminisce about past Lake of the Woods adventures.

These zero or below-zero downward spiraling days and nights that have prepared local lakes for us to scout and drill holes - but not in this quasi-Arctic zone.

But if you are one of those eager-beaver types and your brain dictates you drill holes and sit in your shanty, please allow me to offer some safety memos for your pleasure.

If you have a portable ice shelter (shanty) that uses propane gas heaters to warm the interior of your one-bedroom palatial estate, then open one of the windows enough to vent the interior structure. Those heaters have a tendency to eat all the oxygen inside the tent and could place you and your pal in jeopardy.

Even though I am sure there's plenty of safe ice now, hang a set of ice grips or spikes around your neck, just in case the ice opens up beneath you. You can use this tool to crawl out of the hole to safety by gripping the surface.

If it's warmer than what's happening outside right now, try drilling at least a dozen holes in the ice. I generally use a laser power auger. Carry a small gas can in the shelter's sled (no more than a gallon). On the other hand, I usually prefer to refill the tank on the auger while still on shore.

If your shelter is the portable kind, move every 10-15 minutes if you're not getting any strikes.

You may think I'm nuts, but I prefer using 1-pound or 2-pound test fluorocarbon for 90 percent of my vertical jigging. I use 1/100 or 1/200 oz. micro jigs for bluegills and crappie and jigging spoons in 1/8 oz. for larger fish. I've also recharged the battery on the fish finder and underwater camera.

Make sure you wear heavy gloves and a covering around your nose and ears. Top it off with a hood attached to a heavy parka. Heavy pack boots work well for me.

Also, have a cellphone readily available so you can call for a sandwich or pizza delivery.

Fishing update:

Conditions vary widely, so I'm not sure where to start for the fishing information.

Lake Michigan is an option. If you can get trough the ice on the South Side, you'll find perch.

Ice fishing is closed in the city lagoons. Nothing officially opened in the Cook County Forest Preserve District yet. Lake County has a green light for Banana, Independence and Silver lakes.

Look for very good ice this week end the Fox Chain. One hot spot to check is the northern end of Channel Lake.

• Contact Mike Jackson at angler88@comcast.net, and catch his radio show 7-9 a.m. Sundays on WGCO 1590-AM. The show is live-streamed at 1590WCGO.com. For more, visit mikejacksonoutdoors.com.