Best Way to Learn Ice Fishing

[amateurfishing]

I am learning for the first time this year, have been using slip bobber method after cathing Mille Lacs walleye with that this summer. My bobber has been freezing up a lot though. Any ideas.....cause I also want to teach my sons 5 & 6 but dont want them to get bored or lose interst too fast....thx.

[Mike Wallace]

My kids are 5 and 7. Sometimes they want to go, sometimes they don't. I never make them go - that is a sure way to get them disinterested.

Bring other things for them to do while you get set up and if fishing is slow. If they are bored (which happens in about 3 minutes) they will start complaining and wanting to go home. Ice skates, play with minnows, a ball to play catch with or kick around are things that can work. This may be a good reason to pop on a flasher, then they kids can watch the flasher and that will keep them going a little.

Scout a spot that will have actions. Kids will have fun if something is biting. They aren't fishing for the fishing experience - they want to catch something.

Keep them warm and bring snacks. Snacks can buy you time between fish.

Lastly, don't keep them out there when they have checked out. You have to remember when you bring them, you are there so they have fun, not for you to fish.

Oh, I forgot the most important trip-ender to be aware of. Don't let them step into the holes you drill. I had two trips with my kids end last year because each one stepped in the hole before I was even set up.

Good Luck, and remember it needs to be fun from their perspective.

Mike Wallace

[GrizzlyAdams]

What kind of bobbers are you using? For ice fishing I only use "ice buster" bobbers and most recently bought some venom bobbers which are now my go to. These sit in the water and never freeze up for me atleast. The typical summer type bobbers will freeze up as part of them are out of the water.

I would highly suggest getting some venom bobbers as they can be set to neutral buoyancy so the fish don't feel it. Or pick up some ice buster bobbers for ice fishing. Your bobber won't be freezing up anymore. Best 2 bobbers for ice fishing IMO.