New to Ice Fishing

[woodboat]

Hi All, I'm new to Minnesota and ice fishing. I'm hoping for some helpful tips/hints. I'll start with the basics.

I live near Nisswa MN and want to hear opinions on what lakes are the best for ice fishing in the area.

I need a list of "can't do without equipment".

Where do you recommend I go to purchase equipment.

Thanks. I'm looking forward to starting my ice fishing career................JB

[jigging-matt]

Woodboat, let me be the first to welcome you to FM. It is a great HSOforum, where you will get loads of valuable info. I generally fish the southern half of the state, so I won't be much help with lakes. Obviously Rod/reel combos and tackle are a must. After that, depends on how much you want to spend, Shelter, Electronics, etc. I'm sure you will get many more post. Good luck, and once again welcome.

[Kyle Sandberg]

How much do you plan on spending. To go the cheapest route, buy a used auger, found on criagslist or sometimes sold on here, rod and reel combos and possibly a shelter and fish finder. How "In depth" do you want to go with it?

[Jarrod32]

Welcome aboard...and welcome to the great sport of ice fishing. As far as 'can't do without' equipment, some sort of rod/reel combo and/or a couple tip ups, and a good selection of lures. Of course, you will need an auger (you can't fish without a hole in the ice). Like was mentioned, you can generally find a decent used one for a decent price.

Next is where people start to disagree. Depending on how much money you want to spend, a portable shelter is really nice to have (though not entirely necessary). With a portable heater, you can fish in relative comfort in a portable shack. Lots of different kinds...and that is a whole different discussion...but again, you can often find a used one for a fairly reasonable price.

Some would argue that a good flasher (a Vexilar or a Marcum are the most popular, Lowrance also has a nice unit) is more important than a portable shack. A flasher will help you catch fish, but you need to decide for yourself...the comfort of a portable shack, or the improved fish catching ability of a flasher.

Then you could get into an underwater camera, a snowmobile or ATV to stay mobile on the ice, a hardside/permanent fishhouse, or a lot of other (somewhat expensive) luxuries.

Depends on how far you want to take it and how much you want to spend. But...you should be able to find auger, portable shack, and even a flasher unit used and may be able to get into all three for around $650-$700.

As for the lakes in your area, I would suggest you go to the regional forum section of the HSOforum and check out the 'Brainerd Area' forum for more specific lake discussions.

[mojocatt]

Hmmm, I'm thinking back to my first days and my light kit.

I started out with...(and is still my light kit for early ice)

2-3 Jigging sticks (hand lining)

5" stikemaster hand auger (those blades are sharp as all get out)

Some swedish pimples / and other jigs.

Some panfish bugs.

A insulated minnow bucket.

A fish trap scout.

A Vexlar FL-8 (I started with a "green box")

A Mr. Heater Buddy

A Tip up

A hand skimmer

A four D cell lamp.

A mini maglight.

Needlenose pliers.

Depth finder.

Assortment of small and medium bobbers, sinkers, hooks, fireballs, snaps and swivels.

One of those clear boxes to hole the tackle.

A five gallon bucket.

[polarsusd81]

I think the best option is to set a budget, and then expect to do a little searching to find the gear you need.

When I started I had little, and over the years have accumulated lots. If you don't mind doing a little work at it, a Strikemaster Lazer hand auger is a good bet, I would probably go with a 6" because you will have a bit easier time if you get a walleye or pike coming up the hole. A good bet on a shelter, depending on the amount of people you plan to fish with is the pak-shak. They are ultra lightweight, can fold up to fit in a car, and you can get them in a single or a three man (really a two man) for a really decent price. A different option for a shelter is a fish-trap pro or otter den style flipover for one man. Then pick up a couple rod/reel combos, there are a lot of really great options out there for 30-40 bucks nowadays. If you can find a used flasher unit, buy it, I ended up buying one from a guy I met at Thorne Bros, he was going in to upgrade, and I asked what he was doing with the old one (FL8se in the blue box) and he said it was just going to be a back-up or for friends to use, I got it from him for 100 bucks. You might just get lucky enough to find one that way. Then you need to get yourself an assortment of jigs, some vertical and horizontal presentations for panfish and get a few jigging spoon type baits. Buckshot rattlers and forage minnows are great, as are angle eyes and the old standby the swedish pimple. Maybe pick up one or two chubby darters or jiggin raps and you are pretty well set. You will need some sort of light if you are fishing without sunlight and there are many options for that and you will want a source of heat like a buddy heater or sunflower. The last thing I will recommend is a newer product that is revolutionizing the way we fish hard water, Reel Weeds from LaDredge, a site sponser. Pick up at least a two pack and use them until you are too tired to drill extra holes for them,(probably never after fishing with them one time.)

Of course you will need a sled if you go with the pak shak to pull all the gear, and there are many options for those as well, otter makes nice ones and pak-shak has a new sled this year to help move gear around too.

If you look around you can probably get the big items like a shelter and flasher used and pick up a new hand auger for about 300-400 and then get the other stuff new. Probably be into a starter set with everything for 600 bucks. Then next year, upgrade to a power auger and sell the hand auger off to another beginner to recover some expense. If you have a bigger budget, come down to the ice fishing show in st. paul in a couple weeks and get it all new at the show sale prices. Hope you do well in your first season.

[Scott M]

What do you want to fish for?

You will get lots of great information in the Brainerd Area forum when the lakes freeze over as far as where to go and what to try.

Setting a budget is a great place to start. You may already have some gear that you can use if you are a summer angler as well. You may already have some small spinning reels, jigs, line. Checking out used gear is a good idea too.

The best thing you might try this first year is to go out with a guide or a buddy that already fishes. Check out your buddy's gear and see what works for him. My first decade of ice fishing was without the superlines, hottest jigs or lures, custom rods, fancy shacks, and no electronic equipment. Now if I forgot some of those things (specifically the electronics) I would probably go home. You don't have to drop 1K your first year, find out if you like it and build up what you have over time, or find just how much you like it.

I advise this because I would hate for you to drop all this money and then not get the same enjoyment out of it that others do. You could fall into that trap if you weren't using the gear properly as well.

You're going to get a lot of advice and you will have to wade through what will help you and what is just strong opinions about gear.

[Chode2235]

I got started, just a couple years ago, with a sled (can use any but I recommend a deeper one like a Jet sled), a GOOD hand auger (my recommendation is a Strikemaster Lazer), a couple rod and reel combos, some tackle (which you can build upon easily) an ice scoop to clear the holes, some warm clothes and you are set. I upgraded to a shelter this year to be able to go when it is colder, but it really isnt necessary.

I do highly recommend some sort of depth finder. Most guys recommend flashers, and they are great, but I use a humminbird portable that I picked up cheap. It is not ideal, but it works. My advice is to get enough to get you out there, and fill in the gaps as they become obvious to you.

Dont spend a lot of money until you know how you will plan to ice fish. Develop a style and when you need something to augment that style go out and buy it. Too many times people buy all this stuff and then they never need it because it doesn't fit in with their fishing style.

For instance, I am a run and gun kinda fisherman. I love the walk across the lake and the search for the fish. So heavy equipment (ie a heavy heater, power auger, deluxe seats) are to heavy for me to carry around. If I had bought heavy stuff before I had developed my style that $ would be wasted.

In terms of places to fish, you are in a great location. Pretty much all the lakes around there are wonderful. I dont think you can really go wrong. Try and go to the Jaycee ice fishing contest this winter.

Remember ice fishing is a somewhat social event, dont be afraid to introduce yourself and talk to us. I dont like people knocking on my shelter when I am inside, but you get the idea. Look forward to seeing you out there.

[marine_man]

Quote:

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I live near Nisswa MN and want to hear opinions on what lakes are the best for ice fishing in the area.

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Welcome to Fishing Minnesota!

One stop you'll want to make on this forum is the Brainerd Area forum on what lakes to hit.

Click on this link to see the Brainerd Area Forum.

Good luck!

marine_man

[JigginIsLife]

Really like everyone else has stated it is all about how much you want to spend and who your going to be going with. but here are some of my must haves while starting out:

-Hand auger (any kind will work as long as you keep decent care of it

-Some sort of Shelter the cheapo's that you make your own floor or the single persons willwork good too

-An ICE SCOOP!!

-Minnow bucket

-Hooks and jigs, small bobbers

-couple of 5 gal buckets to keep fish in and hold rods

-A chair of some sort

-Ice cleats are well needed

-Forceps or Needle nose pliars.

-A Heater (not necessairly a Mr. Buddy, sunflower will do)

-3-4 Ice rods and reels

Shimano makes a pretty decent 4 or 6 ball berring reel that works out really well and the guide series med or med light ice rods are quite nice rods. the rods can be bought at Gander MTN. and the Reels i have found at Reeds and Cabelas.

[BoxMN]

Good info here. I have always sort of ice fished, by tagging along with buds, etc. Last year I finally ogt into it and got ALL my own stuff. 2-man portable, auger, locator, more rods, sunflower, Buddy Heater, etc.

Here is what I say you NEED if you can go with someone who has auger and shelter:

-at least one tip-up, I like the round Frabil ones ($10)

-at least one rod (ideally 2, one light panfish rod and one a bit heavier, about $30 each for the normal Gander/etc. average stuff)

-some tackle and line etc. (about $50 will get enough to cover everything)

-locator (Vexilar or Marcum, I researched and chose the Marcum LX5, but you don't need to go that high priced) Can't stress enough how much a locator, and one with a zoom, will make you catch more fish and have more fun. Even if your buddy has one, it is more fun to have one in your own hole as well.

If you are going totally alone, you will also need an auger and some way to pull it all out there like a sled or small portable shack, unless you will just drive your spot in truck. I went with my bro-in-law until I decided I needed to get my own stuff.

But definitely get yourself a locator, make the budget include that. Look for deals, last year I got my LX5 for $320 new...

Welcome to the addiction

[mojocatt]

"a GOOD hand auger (my recommendation is a Strikemaster Lazer)"

Word.

I got a cheap hand auger my first year out, a Strikemaster Lazer the second year out. Let me tell ya, you get what you pay for, it was a world of difference. I was very surprised.

But it don't hurt to get the little sharpener too and keep that edge.

[fishinJohn]

My first auger was a strikemaster lazer hand auger and I hated it by the time the ice got to be 14 inches or so. My shoulders still hurt. I did have the 8 inch though and maybe the smaller ones work a little easier. After slowly poking a hole and seeing no fish on the flasher (several times) I got mad and bought a power Nils. I don't need a $500 auger so I blame the purchase on my strikemaster.

[JigginIsLife]

i hear you up by DL late season i DROVE onto the ice and then used my 6" hand auger to go through the ice and i had to make 3 holes. In the words of my dad " Now that builds character"