Breaking the ice on ice fishing for first-timers
We have unofficially reached the midway point of winter. If cabin fever is beginning to set in, ice fishing is a great option to get you outside.
A Midwest custom, ice fishing can break up the monotony of a long, cold winter. It's also a whole lot of fun for those that love to fish.
For those that have never broken the ice, there are some key points to consider before venturing to your desired spot. Local angling extraordinaire Tony Krizek, the host of the popular YouTube fishing series "Tony's Spot On Fishing," shared some great tips with the Daily Herald to help you get started.
The first thing to know is safety first, and having the proper gear is crucial. "No matter the thickness," Krizek said, "anglers should assume that no ice is safe ice." Constantly checking thickness with your auger or a spud bar is very important in making sure the ice below you is safe. Generally, 3 to 4 inches of ice should be considered a minimum for safe fishing. Beware of ice that appears to be cloudy, slushy or dark.
Additional safety gear like ice cleats, which can be strapped to your boots and help with traction while on the ice, are also recommended. While safety checks should thwart falling through the ice, it's important to prepare for them anyway. "A crucial tool for a fall-through is ice picks," Krizek said. "Get in the habit of tying some with a rope around your body to help pull yourself out should it happen."
One of the benefits about ice fishing is it doesn't take a whole lot of gear to get started. Grab yourself an ultralight to light action combo for panfishing and a medium action combo for larger fish.
According to Krizek: "A basic setup and a pocket full of jigs is all you need." Popular jigs include the Demon Jig and Rat Finkie by Custom Jigs and Spins, as well as the Swedish Pimple. Tip your jigs with wax worms or spikes, available at most regional tackle shops.
If you find yourself targeting larger fish, lipless Rapalas and other assorted blade baits are great for garnering strikes. Tip-ups are one of Krizek's favorite methods for targeting big fish.
Tip-ups are set lines that have flags attached. When the fish hits the line, the flag pops up.
"With a small or medium roach minnow, you can pick off bass, walleye and pike, which are very fun to fight hand to hand," Krizek said. "It's a unique and different way to fish."
Once you've taken the necessary safety precautions and geared up, it is important to take a smart approach in locating fish. It is in this area that Krizek sees critical errors made under a commonly held belief about cold-water fishing.
"One common mistake is that people think cold-water fishing means fishing in deep water," he said. "Most active fish are on main feeding areas where they would be normally." Such areas include weed lines, drop offs, flats and areas adjacent to current or creek inflows, assuming the ice is safe.
To find these areas in a body of water you are unfamiliar with, it helps to research hydrographical maps and other available locations.
Ultimately, ice fishing is very similar to regular fishing. The more you explore and experiment, the more success you will have. Then again, if you are just looking to get out and scratch the fish itch before open water season, welcome to the club.