What age to start ice fishing?

[datvbdad]

If anyone has any experience or just some thoughts, I could use your input. I have two grandsons and I'm wondering at what age should I expose them to ice fishing, both in a portable and in and hard side house. Tying to determine when they are too young, and when they would be right for the experience to get them hooked on ice fishing with Grandpa. Let me know your thoughts.

[Smoker]

I have fished with some that brought there 6 month baby out to the fish house and now (about 7 years latter) they are always wanting to go ice fishing. At about 4 years they were standing on the ice with us perch fishing. We just make sure we have a porable with us for them to warm up in or to fish with grandma.

[jjohnson5150]

I started taking my son just after he turned 3. The first year I made sure it was for no more than 2 hours at a time, it was nice enough to be outside and I had the fish dialed in. The key is to get them interested by seeing action, being comfortable and leaving before they get fussy. We bought a wheel house the next year and he stayed many weekends on the ice with us. He loves it, but much of that has to do with being able to potty inside, watch movies, catch fish when he feels like fishing, etc. This will be his third full season. He's excited for it.

[pushbutton]

Get grand daughters Have a 9 year old god child that have been taking fishing since she was 5. She loves it and is dialed in the entire time, and hard to get her to go home. My son, who is 5 1/2, is still a loonnnggg way off. Ultimately, will depend on the child and do not expect the outing to be that long. Hard house for sure, equipped with distractions will help greatly. Spend most of my time on the ice playing the great winter sports of soccer and baseball, plus listening to a lot of cartoons

[CAMAN]

I say as long as the ice is "safe" bring 'em out! Just don't force them to be out there, if they are cold or scared or whatever, bring them home.

[muskE]

I started my daughter when she was almost 3 in a perm. She stayed warm which was key and we played puzzles and colored between waves of bites. We'd go outside for a tug on the sled and come inside to warm up and had a bucket o' chicken for lunch. We set up on Black Lake and chased potato chips which was a blast for her. She even nailed a small lg mouth. Be prepared to leave well before you want to but the point is to make it a fun, positive experience.

We went to the same spot last year (then 4) in a hub and she still had fun, although she liked being off the ice in the perm. I made a makeshift floor that she wsa into for a bit but still preferred the perm.

This year, without prompting, she's been asking constantly about when we are going to go ice fishing again in the perm. I've reserved, for now, that we will use the perm for when she goes and I will bring the porty for daddy trips (maybe even basecamp the perm wiwth mommy and I'll steal an hour or 2 over naps).

One thing with the little ones is they love unbuckling and driving on the ice. Made my wife crazy but when she understood it was a bail-out plan she was cool with it. I also (still) make her wear a life vest to help keep her from going through a 10" hole. We've never had an incident but we didn't want one either.

Keep it safe, keep it fun, and make it special by building the experience and they will ask for more. It worked for all of us reading this board.

[datvbdad]

Great idea about the life vest. I remember as a kid, stepping into holes. Good Tip.

[HandySpence]

I started bringing my middle boy out with me at the age of 4. I bought a nice 4 inch hand auger and drill the holes so he cannot fall in them. He sits in the van until the house is set up and then comes in to watch the camera I have down the hole. Usually when it is safe to drive out on the ice I have a good idea where we can catch some sunfish and northerns and he really enjoys catching the fish vs. fishing. Like others have said when interest wears off and he is chilly or just wants to go home we call it a day because getting frustrated usually ruins the experience. He has been asking about ice fishing already and I cannot wait to get out there to put us on some fish. Each kid is different and planning on only having short outings aids in making the experience a good one.

[B-man715]

Like the other guys said if the kids are having a good time, any age is right.

My buddy used to bring his play pen for his kids when they were babies

(this was of course in an Icecastle with entertainment)

I myself am looking forward to bringing my 2 neices (7 and 5 years old) for their first time on the ice! It will be in a warm wheelhouse with Sponge Bob or something on for them

The lake I'm taking them too has thousands of 8-9" suicidal crappies, a sure bite to say the least I also plan on filleting some up and having a fresh meal if they will ever put the rod down!

I think it will be a fun experience for them! The oldest won't stop talking about it

[robert aldrich]

i started when i was 5

[IcerRon2010]

I was 4 when I started. I am bringing my 2 year old niece out this year. She loves going to the Big C, and seeing the fish. She knows what I do, so my name is cle for Uncle, followed by shish, for fish. Going to set her up with a underwater camera, and a palm rod, and see what happens. Great ideas with the coloring books and puzzles. Can't wait.

[lutzy]

My dad didn't take me till I was about 22. That was a little late but that was the first year he started. I would take them before then.lol

[herefish101]

I started my oldest boy a 3, and now his younger brother is 3 also so he'll be out this year. The trick is to bring them a spot where you already know there are fish and do not expect to be out very long, my older son would fish for about an hour, them screw around for another hour, and then it's time to go.

Myself, I think you get em out in whatever shack or even no shack, when I was a kid we chisled holes and yhere was no shack, and I'v been an addict ever since I can remember. I can't wait!

[RiverFish]

Bring good food and drink. When my 8 year old son and 5 year old daughter go out with me they also look forward to omlettes in a bag.

[mrklean]

The second they can reel in a fish there good to go

[otterman91105]

I have had my kids out for two years. There age's are six and four. They will sit out in my portable or in my wheel house for a couple of hours before they get bored. The key is to keep them busy when they start to loose interest.

[Jeremy airjer W]

I took my boys out for the first time when they where three. At that age have plenty of snacks and some entertainment.

Find places close to home because the attention span will be short. If you get an hour to an hour and a half of fishing in your doing good. Of course the bite will play into the attention span.

An underwater camera is a great thing to have along. When the fishing is slow they will have plenty of fun looking for fish.

Shallow clear water will also hold there attention. They will love seeing the fish come in and taking the bait.

Last year they where eight and they really started to put two and two together. They have the marcum figured, they are starting to understand what finicky means, they are getting better at feeling/seeing the light bite, and they are starting to clean there own fish (always a bonus).

There where in the boat at around two and a half. They had snoopy poles. The best thing I ever did was drill a hole in the handle, attach a rope, and used a climber clamp to hold the other end of there life jacket. Never lost a pole until I got rid of the ropes!

[Walleye One]

The one thing I always bring is a change of clothes. Extra boots, socks, snow pants, gloves - it's only a matter a time before they step in a hole and there is not much you can do but go home if you don't have an extra dry pair of boots to put on.

[gurkster]

As young as you can. I had mine out in diapers, just make it a kid friendly trip. Lots of snacks, juice, etc. Go for quantity over quality of fish. Take them on a nicer day, etc. My kids all love ice-fishing and the outdoors - 2 boys and 2 girls ages 3 - 10.

[MinnGuy]

An underwater camera is worth the investment for kids. They love seeing what's going on below them.

[Eckie]

Here's a couple of pics of my then 4 yr old in one of our first trips -- he loved it

2 hour limit...plenty of snacks and hot chocolate. And don't plan on doing much fishing of your own

[Jeremy airjer W]

nice picks Eckie!

[silverbulletguy]

My little man is 18 months and I'm not bringing him this year but I think I will next year. At least for a couple short trips. He was in the boat late summer and loved seeing the fish caught. I think he's too small and could possibly fit thru the hole this year and that is not gonna happen on my watch.

[rugbymn]

I have a 2 month old son who I intend to take ice fishing with me this winter. For starters, I'll probably only bring him to the big house and not the portable. I already have him holding an ice rod, but he isn't very crafty with it yet. Maybe that erratic baby arm motion will be just what the fish are looking for.

My only stipulation is that he's big enough so he won't fall down the hole.

[datvbdad]

Great Pics. I can't wait to get them out on the ice.