ice fishing with skates

[Dan189]

This has been a very unique year for many of us in lakes country. It's the first winter since 1959 that Grand Forks, ND has had no snow. The lack of snow combined with early cold weather many of the area lakes have 9-10+ inches of great clear ice at Christmas time.

I've noticed how inefficient and unsafe running around one wet ice is, so I started bringing the skates, and they work fantastic. Towing a small portable and sled, it takes a fit good skater about 3-4 mins max to cover 1/2 mile on fairly smooth ice.

I've read a recent Tony Roach article about ice trolling on Mille Lacs, and we've been deploying similar tactics for walleyes on many of our local lakes, 50-75 holes in varies depths down active break lines. There was definitely a noticeable increase in the speed of popping holes and movement from hole to hole with blades on.

Tips for fishing with skates:

1. go slow at first and know your ice.

2. know where your line is, and don't step on it.

3. don't leave your feet.

4. leave some slush piled around the holes to mark them.

5. bring a pair of boots.

6. use skate guards, soft or hard.

7. try skate perpendicular to cracks.

8. bring a stick and puck for when fishing slows.

8. have fun and catch fish!

[Ol_Bullhead]

Keep your stick on the ice EH!!

[JeffB]

now you need to modify your flip up to use as a hockey goal. Bring enough people to play hockey. I'd like to see the checking going on when a tip up flag popped.

[CrewJones]

i do that all the time, best thing that ever came of playing hockey, you can always get where you want.