What about ice makes people....?

[leech~~]

When you think about it, it's kind of odd that you can go by all these empty lakes for the last two months without a boat on them. And the first hint of skim ice someone has to be the first guy out there! What makes people want to fish in a little hole in the ice and not in a boat?

I will have to say however, I'm one of them!

[Pat K]

October & November are hunting & trapping months for a lot of us who fish. Because of that my boat gets winterized in late Oct. I'll wait for ice on some local ponds to switch back to fishing mode.

[morepower02]

Leech. I am also in the same boat as you...Pun intended. For the last month or so i have been off the water put as soon as the ice forms it is game on.

[Tom Sawyer]

If your looking at those empty lakes for 2 months without wetting a line I can see why your one of the first ones out. I was breaking ice with my boat yesterday on the shoreline, to get out and pound late-fall walleyes. There will be a day, (very soon), that I need to winterize the boat and wait a week or two, for safe ice.

My reason is simply to get on very catchable fish before they get pressured.

I'd much rather stand on 3 inches of solid clear first ice, compared to 10 inches of iffy last ice in the spring; although fishing generally is even better and the sun is much warmer.

First ice is always good fishing since the fish haven't seen/heard any pressure for months.

[monstermoose78]

I think the cold temps keep people from fishing later in the year from a boat. Also as said earlier hunting and trapping take the stage in the fall for a lot of us.

Seeing this last spring I was able to ice fish in may. That means there has only been 4 months I have not ice fished in June, July, August, and September.

[Fred_Bear]

I think the cold temps keep people from fishing later in the year from a boat. Also as said earlier hunting and trapping take the stage in the fall for a lot of us.

Seeing this last spring I was able to ice fish in may. That means there has only been 4 months I have not ice fished in June, July, August, and September.

Where/When did you get to ice fish in October?!?! That would be awesome, but I'm usually hoping for early ice by mid-late November. Last sping was the first time for myself, and I'm sure many others, ice fishing in May.

[DTro]

Because the fish don't bite until there is ice. No fish biting right now....

[Eric Wettschreck]

Some of us don't have a boat.

[Eric_Kruger]

I think it has to do with elements, Alot of people dont want to fish in the wind, rain/snow, you get out there on 4 inches you can set up a shack and heater. Lets not forget either that the average joe, is gonna set up that shack and drink a case of beer, cant do that in a boat either.

[MN BassFisher]

Where/When did you get to ice fish in October?!?! That would be awesome, but I'm usually hoping for early ice by mid-late November. Last sping was the first time for myself, and I'm sure many others, ice fishing in May.

For the first time in my life I was able to Ice in October (27th)! I moved from MN to CO in January and I would guess the only places you can Ice in October is in the mountains of CO, AK, and very northern Canada...

[Down Deep]

Because the fish don't bite until there is ice. No fish biting right now....

What? Tongue and cheek, I hope.

On Wednesday (11/5) I was helping a buddy of mine pull his dock in for the winter. When that job was complete we went out and took advantage of a great crappie bite.

[20lbSloughShark]

I used to be the guy who breaks ice with my boat. I have since dedicated myself to football. It just so happens that my team is always playing late in November (going for Minnesota NJCAA state championship on sunday), and I don't get to fish in the fall much. I wait till 6" to walk out, maybe 8" to bring all my stuff. I don't even think about driving out unless its 18+" and I am still S#@ting bricks the whole time. I prefer to be in a boat, I just trust my skill and a metal boat more than some frozen water. For whatever reason I always get bigger fish in the winter. I cant tell you why, I am just not lucky in a boat.

[Down Deep]

I'll never be the first guy out on thin ice, but I will go out as soon as ice is IMO safe. I find staring down a hole is fishing in a very simple form. Punch a hole, flip a switch for a flasher, drop a line and hope for the best. When it gets cold pop up a little tent, hook up a heater, drop the line and start thinking.

[JbuZZo]

I think it has to do with elements, Alot of people dont want to fish in the wind, rain/snow, you get out there on 4 inches you can set up a shack and heater. Lets not forget either that the average joe, is gonna set up that shack and drink a case of beer, cant do that in a boat either.

why you gotta be making fun of me?

[dirtymike]

This was in early November in central ND last year. Two days later a heat wave came through and this spot was completely open. I think I'll wait a few more weeks this year.

[ice_medic]

To me it is the challenge of trying to narrow down where the fish will be while out on the lake fishing through 2 8 inch holes. When I am in a boat it is just keep moving till you find the fish and then move some more. Ice fishing is relaxing and gives my mind time to relax and reboot. If I could spend all year on the ice I would. Plus it helps having a boat to move around on the lake. If you don't have a boat the ice gives you that chance to wander out away from the shore

[RiverChuckNorris]

To me it is the challenge of trying to narrow down where the fish will be while out on the lake fishing through 2 8 inch holes. When I am in a boat it is just keep moving till you find the fish and then move some more. Ice fishing is relaxing and gives my mind time to relax and reboot. If I could spend all year on the ice I would. Plus it helps having a boat to move around on the lake. If you don't have a boat the ice gives you that chance to wander out away from the shore

What he said!

[Mr.Seaguar]

I have boated in the fall. The wind is awful cold across open water. In fall it is also easy to find fish in locations that don't require a boat.

[20lbSloughShark]

I don't know how the cold is a reason not to be in a boat, ice fishing is even colder.

[DTro]

No fish in the boat today either, not sure why we just don't wait for ice

[DrJuice1980]

To me being able to bring a nice sized fish through a little hole in the ice is more exciting and a little more rewarding than being in a boat with a net. Also you pretty much know what you're reeling in on the open water before it gets to the boat because you can see it. When you're on the ice and that big one first appears at the bottom of the hole, oh boy, that's an unmatched feeling. I hope it gets cold soon!