Babies/Children on ice?

[TyGuy02]

to each their own, but I know that I won't be getting my son on the ice for at least another year or two. I just don't see any positives. There will be hopefully many many years to enjoy the experience. I don't remember half the times I went fishing at 5-6 years old. When I go fishing I want to fish, not be worried about what could happen

[Fishin4fun_MN]

My son has been fishing with me since he was about 6 months old, holding a rod and reeling (he probably had no clue what he was doing)but he was there. He saw 4 before he ever set foot on the ice with me. He now can't wait for hard water. He starts asking about ice fishing and ice derbies in October. He gets more excited for ice fishing than he does for Walleye opener.

[Lucky Dogg]

I don't know what size hole you're fishing but the question was in an ice house. Drill a 6" hole if you're worried about the child down the hole or maybe pay more attention.

[Finns]

If everyone paid 'more attention' nothing would get lost down a hole no matter what size.

[Fish_Stalker]

+1

[Fish_Stalker]

I would say ice fishing is an inherently dangerous sport for adults. Bringing a six month old out is just plain stupid. Wanna be a dad, stay home with your infant. Who wants to hear crying babies in the out of doors. You already chose your path. do it well....

[Juan Grande]

My God, I can't even imagine having my 15 month old in a fish house, permanent or portable. The kid is constantly getting into everything at home where we have things baby proofed. If I did bring him I'd probably just leave my gear at home;)

With that being said, my future fishing buddy can't grow fast enough. Can't wait!

[pushbutton]

I would say ice fishing is an inherently dangerous sport for adults. Bringing a six month old out is just plain stupid. Wanna be a dad, stay home with your infant. Who wants to hear crying babies in the out of doors. You already chose your path. do it well....

Sure there are risks....there is a big ole hole in there, sharp things that can poke them, and ice is never safe, but so is having a family pet, stairs, taking your child out in the sun, strawberries can be a dangerous allergy, mosquitos and ticks can kill, plastic formula bottles have chemicals in them, diapers cause a rash and would be better off without them, they could also step in big hole and get attacked by a rabid wood chuck. The list goes on and on with some being more of a concern than others. Would think one of the biggest threat to a child would be riding in a car, but would you still call someone names for doing that? Similarly, in my opinion, you should be commending a father for actually spending time with their kids instead of leaving them at home with mom watching them while they get to go out and fish. Believe me, there is not much fishing going on when taking a youngster fishing, but, thats not what is about. It is about spending time together and actually being there when your child is growing up. If your not comfortable being able to watch a small child in an icehouse.....simply don't do it. I was comfortable. It was not easy, but nothing in life worthwhile is.....and I did do it well

[Surface Tension]

To each their own.

Some guys can barley take care of themselves.

Some that are on the ball can take care of themselves and a youngster.

Decide which is right for you.

[StillwaterAaron]

I would say ice fishing is an inherently dangerous sport for adults. Bringing a six month old out is just plain stupid. Wanna be a dad, stay home with your infant. Who wants to hear crying babies in the out of doors. You already chose your path. do it well....

I enjoy spending time with my children and my son giggled while ice fishing more than anything. As stated earlier driving is more dangerous. Fathers that wish to take their children with them are TRUE fathers and DID CHOOSE A PATH! One to being there for their child.

[MattNy]

i asked my dad and he said he started taking me when i was 1

[Lund79]

I waited until my kids were 2 y.o. before I brought them out. The The oldest daughter (now 10) has been reading the graph for over 3 years now. I barely get to use it now.

[hooked79]

this is the reason i bought a 8x20 castle

so i could bring the fam out

my son has been out with me since he was 5

and my 2 girls have been out with me since they were 3 and 4

is it a hand full yes it is but i bring the tv and the xbox

they have fun and when a fish is on the line they take turns realing them in but do i do it alone heck no

the wife comes with and most of the time my dad is with

so i gues my advice is i would wait till there atleast 2

and make shure you have pepole with you that can help watch them

as far as earily ice and late ice i leave the wife and kids at home

[sfd]

I would say ice fishing is an inherently dangerous sport for adults. Bringing a six month old out is just plain stupid. Wanna be a dad, stay home with your infant. Who wants to hear crying babies in the out of doors. You already chose your path. do it well....

Spoken like a true baby hater.

[Dozer]

I say take the kid fishing, my 3 year old daughter was out in a wheel house when she was 4 months old. It was alot of work but well worth it! IMO let them experince all they can and they will turn out alot better. Life is too short to spend it sitting at home on the sofa!

[chad austin]

Sure there are risks....there is a big ole hole in there, sharp things that can poke them, and ice is never safe, but so is having a family pet, stairs, taking your child out in the sun, strawberries can be a dangerous allergy, mosquitos and ticks can kill, plastic formula bottles have chemicals in them, diapers cause a rash and would be better off without them, they could also step in big hole and get attacked by a rabid wood chuck. The list goes on and on with some being more of a concern than others. Would think one of the biggest threat to a child would be riding in a car, but would you still call someone names for doing that? Similarly, in my opinion, you should be commending a father for actually spending time with their kids instead of leaving them at home with mom watching them while they get to go out and fish. Believe me, there is not much fishing going on when taking a youngster fishing, but, thats not what is about. It is about spending time together and actually being there when your child is growing up. If your not comfortable being able to watch a small child in an icehouse.....simply don't do it. I was comfortable. It was not easy, but nothing in life worthwhile is.....and I did do it well

AMEN Pushbutton, I've had my son on the ice with me since he was 1 1/2 (he's now 14) and they are memories I wouldn't trade for anything. I am able to take a couple trips every year and he has been with every one of them since he was 5.

[Finns]

Bringing a six month old out is just plain stupid.

Spoken like a true baby hater.

Might want to tone down the slams. We are all just looking for some insight.

[pushbutton]

Guess I and others might be stupid then. Never thought this would illicit so much emotion! Obviously our insight is is not effective or understandable to some, and think the topic has run its course and should be left in the simple but true words of wisdom from the wise one

To each their own.

Some guys can barley take care of themselves.

Some that are on the ball can take care of themselves and a youngster.

Decide which is right for you.

[Al.Wichman]

I had my oldest out when she was 2, didn't really go for myself more to get her used to being there and slowly introducing her to safety and awareness while catching dink perch on a local lake. As she got older and acustome to hearing the ice pop and how to actually fish for bigger fare then 3 inch perch and do things for herself. Fast forward 13 years and she is now teaching her 5 year old sister everything I taught her watching that is something you can't beat. I didnt have a wheel house that is why we waited untill 2. I now have one and my youngest was out at 9 months. Just prepare yourself to be more about them then yourself and it will be fine.

[Fish_Stalker]

not too much of a baby hater but really can't think of a more irresponsible thing to do with your child. Ice fishing is dangerous, if you all like taking your "infants" into dangerous situations, by all means go for it. Natural selection if I have ever seen it

[scott b]

So what AGE do you deem it appropriate to go on the ice then Fish_Stalker? Should the parent wait until the child is eighteen? I started ice fishing BY MY SELF at age 8. Let me know what lakes you fish so I can go hit them first ice knowing you're too scared to go out.

They make self help books (and tapes I think) for anxiety issues.

[Juan Grande]

My wife gave birth in a fish house so I guess technically my daughter has been ice fishing since she was one second old!

[CAMAN]

You're such a terrible father Juan!

[Juan Grande]

LOL, just trying to lighten the mood a bit

[Getanet]

I think you misunderstood when your wife said she wanted to have a water birth!