New to Ice FIshing

[USPENAMC]

IM from south texas and this year will be my first real winter here and i have a few questions.

1. Do you need another license for ice fishing or will the regular license do?

2. Can you just find any lake drill a hole and fish or do you rent or buy portions of lakes.

3. Can you use the same tackle you would use for normal fishing or would you change to specialised tackle.

4. What are the most common mistakes a person will make while ice fishing.

Any information would be greatly appreciated thank you very much.

[blkfrg]

Welcome to the wonderful world of hard water fishing. To answer a couple questions and comment on the other two.
1) A regular license will do, but remember to have a trout stamp if fishing in designated waters.
2) Any lake that you can legally access can be ice fished. Some times this opens more possibilities as you can walk to spots not avialable during the soft water.
3) Much of the tackle/gear translates well from soft to hard water fishing. But, there is specialized gear that would and will fill up this site the closer we get to the magical day when we get to walk on the water.
4) Common mistakes too will get a large part of this site dedicated to it. Keep cheking as the season nears. Some of my better mistakes were not bringing the right gear, a list helps this, of course the biggest is leaving URL just before my friends killed the slabs. Live and learn and let others "feel your pain".

[Rick]

Two ways to immediately improve:
Find a partner here who ice fishes and join the I.C.E. Series or volunteer to help out at the I.C.E. Series.

You will learn a lot and quickly, either way.

No one owns the lakes, so there is no fee. Sometimes you may pay a fee for plowed access.

Most often you will use specialized equipment. Ice Augers, Fish houses, Ice Rods, Ice Lures (many designed for vertical jigging), Ice Lines, Ice dippers, Ice grippers, and thorough knowledge of ice safety are a must.

Again, the quickest way to learn the basics are as I've outlined for you above.

You'll will learn a lot from others responding here. Especially as we get closer to the Ice Season.

[Guest]

Usually you can find two or three ice fishing shows (expos) in the greater metro area as well as out state (Fargo-Moorhead, Rochester, St. Cloud, etc.) in early and mid November. These can be very helpful to newcomers and old hands alike. Obviously they put out the wares to sell, but there are also good sources of info -- talking with vendors, seminars, films, free lit, and the like.

[Raven]

Hey USPENAMC-
What area do you live in? Just wondering. If you are from up my way, maybe we could team up for a day. I live North of Bemidji. Be glad to pass what little I know on

Raven

[Steve Foss]

I'm in Duluth, and fish a lot around Bemidji as well. I would sure help you out with techniques and whatnot if you come this way. You'll find most folks on this post mighty helpful. We all remember what it was like getting started, and we probably remember the moment it became an addiction.

Ice-Anglers Anonymous, anyone?

Assuming you're in Minnesota, you'll need to buy a license for your fishing shelter, if you get a fishing shelter. I REALLY recommend one, money allowing. Used ones are all over the place, and are usually worthy and worth the money. Check the for-sale area on this forum.

If you own any open-faced spinning reels, plan on using them for ice fishing. You'll need a couple shorter ice fishing rods, but avoid buying those itty bitty ice fishing spinning reels. It's money you don't need to spend until you're experienced enough to make your own decision. If you don't own any open-faced spinners, consider getting two, but get the full-sized ones, so you can use them in open water too. If it holds 120 to 150 yards of 6 lb line, it's big enough for open water and small enough for the ice.

Since you're from Texas, I'm going to assume you're a winter boot greenhorn. If you're not, no harm done.

When you buy winter boots, look for the warmest pac boots you can afford, then buy two grades warmer. Seriously. The temperature ratings look impressive, but a -30 degree boot won't keep you warm even at zero degrees if you're not walking. Go for nothing less than -100 degrees (It never gets quite that cold here). Buy thin polypropylene liner socks and thick wool/acrylic outer socks. The inner ones will pull moisture away from your feet (sweaty wet feet are cold feet) and the outers provide insulation. Avoid sweatsocks like the plague, since their cotton holds moisture on your foot. Remember to put both pairs of socks on the foot you try your boots on with in the store. Get them big enough to wiggle your toes comforably. Tight boots impede circulation, another way to get cold feet.

Welcome to the Great White North, where winter warmth means more than style.

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

[This message has been edited by stfcatfish (edited 09-15-2002).]

[Pherris]

USPENAMC
I live in Bloomington and would be happy to take you out and show you the basics. I love to fish through the ice. I am actually getting anxious for some ice fishing. I can supply everything you just need a license. If you are interested you can e-mail me at [email protected] BTW welcome to Minnesota

[Guest]

Occasionly, Fishing Minnesota members will hold a seminar in the F.M. Chat Room on a designated evening.

The main topic, time, and date will usually be posted at least a week in advance for the seminar in it's related forum subject(s).

It's usually a good time, as we get together, and discuss tactics and secrets, and answer each others questons.

Keep your eyes open, and good luck.

PCG

[huntnfish]

When and where do they have an ice fishing expo in the Fargo-Moorhead area?

[pikehunter]

It's great to see so much help and understanding for a rookie ice fisherman. One comment: The biggest mistake you can make is being unsafe on the ice. I suggest that while you look for tips, you also pick a few brains about ice precautions and make sure you've talked to someone who fishes a lake during the winter before you give it a try. Each lake has weird ice tendencies.
Also, I live in the Mankato-area and would be glad to take you with me some time.

Happy fishin!
(ain't it always?)

[eyeballs]

USPENAMC,
IF I was you I would invest in a Vexilar first off. This will make you a 100 times better at icefishing. I also know you fish the inner city metro lake alot. When the ice hits I'll show you some good spots on a few lakes in the uptown. Just let me know.

[Guest]

Watchout for the ice cactus. They can raise heck with your truck tires.