Taking a kid icefishing

[ssendek]

I have a question. My son is at the age where I want to take him icefishing. I was wondering how people have handled situations such as bathroom breaks, none bite times, etc... Any help would be greatly apprectiated. My son is 7 and we would be using a Glacier 2 man or just on the ice with a bucket. I'm looking at day trips to Chesterwoods. Thanks!
Scott

[smartguy]

Well, as far as bathroom breaks go, I'd tell him the truth: Go behind the fishouse where nobody is looking. The icefisherman who is appalled at yellow ice is not a true icefisherman.
Now, about slow times, I'd juts try to put the fishhouse where the sunnies always bite. Better to catch a bunch of small fish than nothing at all, right? By doing this, you will heighten your son's interest in icefishing.

[jdm911]

My wonderful uncle got me hooked at an early age by making the experience fun. We always had a frisbee, a football, and a couple of Tonka's on the ice. It was so fun and is the reason why I still go out today, (play with the Tonkas behind the shelter, where no one can see)

[Deitz Dittrich]

Not sure if this is an option or not...But you can buy yourself a few more hors on the ice with an underwater camera... kids love em, like watching T.V... if that is a good thing..

[Guest]

So when I was a kid and my Dad took me icefishing and I peed my pants for that 2 minutes of warmth that was wrong???

[Guest]

Last year I took my little cousin out ice fishing a few times. He just hopped behind the portable when he needed use the bathroom.

As far as keeping him busy goes, I brought a football and a lot of snacks. We also looked at the underwater camera and played cards. I also put us on a spot where we could catch a lot of fish (mostly small gills but we did manage to catch a few nice crappies and he caught a pike too). After fishing was done we took home a few fish and I fried some up for him.

Always fun fishing with a little guy when the fish are biting. Now he wants to go all the time, I think I got him hooked. This year we'll have to make a trip to Mille Lacs and stay in a sleeper.

Good Fishin, Matt.

[metrojoe]

I have two sons 7 and 9 and I've been taking them for about 2 years now. Like mentioned above pack plenty of snacks and drinks.
Always bring extra clothes. I've had to pack up and go home on more than one occasion because one of them steps in an open hole and it usually ends up being a somewhat traumatic event so you have to leave anyways but it helps to have something dry for them to wear home. I have them bring a few toys, but they usually end up playing with a fish they caught, the bait, or the neighborhood dog who always seems to be wondering around on the ice. Bring an extra ice scoop for him to play with, there seems do be a great fasination with filling open holes with snow and scooping it back out. As far as bathroom breaks go I found they really got a kick out of going to the bathroom on the ice.

I guess the most important thing is be patient. I remember they(and I)would get really frustrated trying to land a fish using the hand over hand method. They were just about ready to give up when my youngest son hooked one good and started running to me trying to give me his fishing pole and wouldn't you know that fish came flipping up out the hole and landed on the ice. We now refer to it as the "hit and run" method.

joe

[ssendek]

Thanks for all the replies! I do have a camera and I have given him one rod already. One of those rods with pegs. I told him once he learns to set the hook he can move up to a rod and reel. He has already called dibs on one of my new 12" ul rods. I bought him a scoop last year and he was all excited. I can get snacks and drinks, but those fish better help me out! Thanks again for the help. I guess I was doing well but needed a little reasurance.
Scott

[SportFishin']

I have a 5yr old & he has been Ice Fishing since he was 3. As Rick mentioned the best thing is getting his own takle box,fishing rod,snacks,let him pick out the bait,showing them how to bait the hook,tie a knot or two, & ect.

Last year my little guy learned how to set up a Tip-up & caught his first 7lb pike on thru the ice & what a treat that was watching him pull on that fish & having the fish pull him back "Mom thought that story would never end."

As for the jiggle stick & would highly suggest going to the store & letting him pick-out his own rod & reel. This will really save on the frustration of a tangled mess of line & will add to the quality time on the water for your outings together. Plus inturn they love to copy what Dad is doing like Jigging.

Keep it Fun & They will be addicted for years.

Chris

[Guest]

All good suggestions, I have just one to add. My son, who is now 6, soon to be seven, ever since the very first time I took him when he was 4, likes to wait until we get all set up, and then has to "go". For the number two's, I bring along an ice cream bucket lined with one of the plastic grocery bags. Make a great porta-potty/dump station. Just put the lid on, and chuck it in the garbage can outside when you get home. My two cents worth.
Set the Hook!!
1600stinger
(aka,Lundman)

[Rick]

Entertainement, food, plenty of fish, and comfort are the keys to an enjoyable outing for your 7 year old.

Let him pick a few items to bring with for play (sled, skates, truck, video game, etc).

Make sure you bring his favorite foods/snacks/beverages to cover the entire outing.

Make sure his clothing is layered so he will definitely be warm for the conditions and he is able to take clothes off to not overheat.

Another good idea is to take him out and allow him to pick out his own rod and reel, small tackle box and tackle. Whenever you go into the bait shop always give him to opportunity to pick out something else to use. You can guide him in his selection of course. You'll be surprised at how that tackle box sitting at home will keep his interest sparked. Just like you I'll bet.

It's usually a good idea to go after panfish such as perch, crappies, or sunfish. They are usually more cooperative for numbers of fish and that's the name of the game catching plenty of fish.

Most important, make the trip about them. Also never reprimand him on the ice (unless he's doing something dangerous) and if he wants to go home, take him home. He'll appreciate the feeling of having a little control. Usually if they want to go home, they are either bored, uncomfortable, tired, or hungry.

[Steve Foss]

Ah, Lundman, I hoped you'd post about this. I remember a day on the St. Louis River last year when your boy didn't care much about fishing, but wanted to sled with the other kids down the hills, dirty up his overalls, eat when he felt like it and fish when he felt like it.

The lesson you taught should be learned by all ice-fishing dads: It's nice to take your boy fishing, but let him have fun in the way he wants to. It doesn't have to be while fishing that he has fun, but as he gets older, he'll always associate fun with fishing. And at whatever age it happens for him, the bug will bite and he'll really want to learn about Vexilars, Strikemasters and Fish Traps (Otters to you, Mark).

See you on the ice.

And if you take a kid fishing, make sure he enoys the experience, even if it's playing his portable computer game in the corner of your portable.

------------------
Steve ([email protected])

[This message has been edited by stfcatfish (edited 11-09-2002).]

[ssendek]

I might be slow but be patient. At all costs make it fun for the boy, give him some control on when we stay or leave, feed him, and let him pee on the ice. Do I have it? LOL

I think I can do that! Good luck to all, when the ice gets here!

Thanks for the info!
Scott

[Guest]

Food is good, not too many sweets or he or she will be bouncing off the walls and your nerves in no time.

How about a good old fashoned board game? Checkers is a good as any for the shack. Whatever board games that will work for the age range of the kids & big kids in the shack.

Snow toys and extra clothing because kids get wet, no matter what they get wet, I did.

Make room for the kids to be able to take a nap. My oldest daughter when she was new to ice fishing (3-4 years old) would crash after a hour or so of bobber watching.

A book, books are good. When was the last time you read a book to your kids, or your kids read to you?

Whatever it takes to make it fun.

Ed

------------------
Backwater Eddy..><sUMo>

Backwater Guiding
"Ed on the RED"
(701)-281-2300
[email protected]
http://ed-carlson.fishingbuddy.com

[Guest]

I took my 4 year old nephew out ice fishin last winter. UNFORTUNATELY my sis and bro in law are basicaly antis so it's up to me and grandpa to plant the outdoors seed.
ANYWAYS , mission acomplished as I got the little guy on some little gills and he had a blast. HOPEFULY I've brought another little fisherman into the fold !
Some good things have been posted here already but one thing to remember is that these little ones atention spans can be quite short even on a great bite so don't expect to make a whole day of it when they tag along. Keep em dry , fed and ocupied and your off to a good start. I've found a nerf football is a good thing to keep em busy. Won't bust up your shack and it floats. LOL

[Uncle Grump]

Ssendek

Lots of good responses - so I will only add this - I got my son out on the ice a little late - when he was 11 - due to the fact I had only started ice fishing again myself at that point. The first fish Alex caught were some bait size perch - but the look on his face was priceless. Now his entire objective when we are on the ice or in the boat is to out do me - and he does from time to time.

I got me a fishing buddy for life now. You can have one too. Keep'em warm, fed and busy, and you'll do fine.

UG

[ssendek]

I also have started ice fishing as of late. I finally have most of the equipment to go it alone and not rely on friends for an auger. So it will be alot easier to get my Alex out on the ice. I have taken him once before. He had fun so he is already as excited as I am to get going. I took him to a ice fishing contest for kids. We didn't catch anything that day but we had fun. I hope I can keep the fun part up.

[Dave]

My two are 7 & 9 now. See the little guy in black in the photos above "The Leading Edge", that's my youngest when he was 5. They love reeeling 'em in but when it's slow, they're outside playin' in the snow, on the ice.
We've had a foot or two in the hole incident as well.

[This message has been edited by Dave (edited 11-11-2002).]

[Flash King]

Started my grandson(5 years old) last year.He is getting excited already about this year.Safe ice can't come quick enough!Most of the other posts are right about bringing something to keep them busy.We all don't catch fish constantly - or do we?

------------------