Kids Ice Fishing

[himjunkie13]

What do you guys think is the right age to start someone in ice fishing? I have a 4 year old brother whom i want to take out with me but im wondering what others think about it.

[springerspeed]

I have been taking my son out since he was about 4-5. You may want to bring other things along to keep him occupied if the fishing is slow. Your pretty much on his schedule.

[jigginjim]

4 olds old is not to young if your in a perm. shack. And if you a aqua Vu cam you will not keep them away from watching it. I being one along on summer guide trips and the kids love the cameara. I

if your fishing from portable make sure it is a nice day for the little kids will get cold easy. If you find a large school of perch they will keep you going just removing hooks. I would being my 2 boys plus another from down the street. but my son was 5-6 at the time. I would give the guys a ice stick with no reel or one of the real cheapys.

I said if you get a bite just start walikg back away from the hole or if it felt small just run with it. I would laugh so hard to see this little perch come flying 2 ft in the air as it came out of the hole.

Get it shot if you have had your child in a boat fishing they may understand that may take a little longer to catch fish.

Good luck.

[slicerboy]

I took my 5 year old today and we fished from 3:30 until 6:00. I thought he did really well. I let him bring some toys along (just about 6 figures in a plastic box) and he had a blast reeling up the fish and putting the crappies back in the hole. He grew bored of his own rod/reel in about 15 mins of watching the bobber float... Good luck with your efforts.

[outdoor ran]

I bring my 4 and 5 years old ice fishing. Heres what I've learned. A 8" auger is a safer way to go with little ones around. Bring lots of food and snacks. Bring a freesbie, football, bowling ball and some pins etc. Make things fun. Teach them how to use the flasher they love it, its amazing how quick they catch on to things. Have patience and you'll spend more time helping and teaching then fishing yourself. Good luck and have fun.

[smmurphy]

This is the second hard water season for my 3 yr old grandson.

[metrojoe]

I started bringing them when they were 3 or 4. At that age it's more about the hot coacoa and sancks and less about the fishing, but they had fun. Thats another thing to consider, when it stops being fun for them it's time to pack up. Plus you may want to bring a change of clothes, eventually thier going to step in an open hole and sink up to thier knee. I had them both do that at least once.

[art]

I started mine at 2 years old and the other was 3.5. Snacks, toys and cocoa are the order of business but when the bobber went down they hauled them in and got a kick out of it. 1 year later and both are avid fishermen now and have caught crappies, walleyes, pike, bass, you name it. We did it in the portable and the permanent. Sometimes you head home early but it's still worth a shot to catch some fish and introduce them to something you can do with them the rest of your lives.

[Dave]

Here's just one thread from the past about taking a kid ice fishing. There's probably more if you use the search function.

Taking Kids Ice Fishing

[FUZZER]

I take out my 7 year old daughter and she is learning fast how to do it all. I don't have to take fish off the hook or bait for her at all. She even uses my Vex without problems anymore. I also have a friend with a four year old phenom of a fishermen who could teach the adults a thing or two. You have to pass on the tradition to get the young blood involved. It's almost more fun for me to see someone get a nice fish or maybe their first deer ever. It keeps things exciting for the older guys around, and I'm not even that old.

[himjunkie13]

thanks everybody now all i have to do is talk my dad into letting me take him.

[Captain B.R.K]

I think some of the key points have been hit. As long as you are taking him to a relatively popular place that has significant ice (again no ice is safe ice), I think he shouldn't have a problem having you take him. Make sure your fish house stays plenty warm for him and most of all......have fun with it.

Don't expect to pay to much attention to your line. Make sure his outing is a start that will lead to a lifetime of enjoyment!

[woodman]

Do it right now and get them hooked!

I have been taking my kids out fishing since they were born. Well maybe a couple of months old! The wife and I would pack the porta crib and set it up with their toys and they would play and we would fish. They are 6 and 3 now and ask about every day if we can go fishing. That is a good thing!

In our shack we have coloring books, notebooks, books, cars, and lots of snacks. They kids are now jigging the rattle reel lines, and claiming their holes when they walk in the house.

We catch at least 10 perch every time out so it is action and fun for them. I let them pull the line up or reel in the perch so they CATCH it.

I caught a nice Northern last week in my daughters fish hole, so SHE caught it. When I put it in the bucket it started to move. Man you should have seen them climb on the table! I laughed for a long time over that one! My son says he only likes to catch the small fish, because they won't chase him in the fish house like the big northern did.

We take our kids out at least once a week, and we do whatever we can to have a fun time. Summer and winter it is a great way to get them to enjoy the outdoors and spend some time as a family.

So take your brother out and even grab your dad and make it a family event!

Good luck,

[himjunkie13]

will do thanks guys!

[hawkeye43]

I did it, I took my kid as soon as they could walk. Sure there will be wet feet, wet gloves, wet hats, minnows dumped down the hole to

"feed the fish" and one might hit the other with a shovel that "needed 9 stiches" trying to build a fort. Fast forwared 13 years (I am not any older) sitting on the middle of the lake this weekend, laughting who can catch the smallest perch and the biggest pout. What more could ask for...

[Dave]

And, watch out for the heater!

[buddha]

My boy is 4.5 and does pretty good. He slept over night on Mille Lacs a few weeks ago. I will echo others, keep them busy. I brought my computer along to Mille Lacs with a generator, and he fished and watched movies. My portable is a Yukon and he has napped numerous times in the sled during the afternoons, just bring a warm blanket. He also gets a kick out of cooking on the ice. I bring a small pot and cook on my Buddy heater. The fishing isn't always the most productive, but it gets ya out of the house.

[Desperado]

4 is a good age to start. I say if they can let ya know when they gotta pee soon enough that you can get all their garb unzipped before they wet their pants, then their old enough to go.

BUT PLEASE Make Them Wear a LIFEJACKET

Most 4 yr olds will fit down a 10" hole.

[Cyberfish]

I started at age 4. I couldn't walk, but my grandparents pulled me out on a small sled and drilled a hole, hooked on a minnow and let me lower it down. A perch would be on there right away and I would pull it in. I thought it was a magic trick!

Just get em out where lots of fish are biting, keep em warm, don't stay out to long, and definitely no 10 inch holes!!

[fisherking01]

I literally had a potty chair in my fish house when my kids were young. they've been going with me since they were being potty trained, way before their 2nd birthday. Dealt with many wet feet and cold hands from playing in the minnow bucket. Nearly cried when we'd need to leave just at prime time. Both of my kids, 13 and 9 fish with me nearly every week, it's been our time, I wouldn't trade it for anything.