How young do you start kids on the ice?

[Shack]

Also like BassM said, be aware of the hole and their little legs.

My first porty trip out to west Rush with my first son, he put a leg in right after first hole was drilled. We had walked a long ways out and it was cold outside. I rushed the rest of set up and got him right next to heater. I has a suitcase style back then and lawn chairs. Took his little snow pants off and his jeans and socks (luckily he had is blanky with and I wrapped his lower legs with) and hung clothes and placed him right next to heater. He still remembers this to this day amd wife was not happy . Dad made it threw though.

[sfd]

I took my daughter out when she was 5 weeks old. in the house of course. I'm hoping to have enough ice to take her out for her 1st birthday on Dec 17th.

[Black_Bay]

Shackbash I think the guys were saying the person in the picture looked older than 1 1/2. LOL

BTW I looked like a bag of diapers in the backround too.

[Sandmannd]

Quote:

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You guys could be right; I think he might have been two. This was picture taken from a disposable camera and does not have a date. I figured it was from our first year, because bunks where not finished yet. Now I think about it, I might not have finish bunks until after or late in my second season. I called my wife and she has no idea (without seeing picture). She was the one taking picture. This is my oldest and he was potty trained before 3 and we still have diapers with. He will be 12 soon and my brain isn’t what it used to. I know he was up with me the first season and he would have been 1 1/2, Never the less it was still fun times.

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When I saw your Pic Shack I though "Man, that kid had a stash at 1 1/2, (Contact Us Please)!!!!" Then I saw the head poking out, but it was a laugh.

My daughter turned two and I would love to take her out this winter. Anyone know where I can go to get her on some pannies, don't care about size. Or better yet, anyone else know where to go and want someone to tag along with a midget in tow?

[Shack]

Oh, I get it now. Dong!

LOL! My little one is a little hard to pick out from the sheets on the lower bunk. I would almost have to say he is like 1 ½ and it is from our first year.

Sand,

With in the next month, I am sure me and my buddies (and our kids) will be getting to together over by East Bethel or Chisago area. I will let you know when it happens. Most times we try to find a warm day and do some tip up.

P.S.

I saw your sled mod. Pic in an old thread the other day. Pretty nice. Got a couple idea’s from it. Thanks.

[polarsusd81]

Sandmannd -

I have a place in mind that has always been one of those go out and catch a ton of panfish all day for fun kinda spots. It is very close to Deitz's place and I am pretty sure he drives by there every day. Very easy access and only have to walk 100 yards or so to set up. I will be trying to bring my little buddy out there in a few weeks when we get some better ice and my mom just got a new yellow lab pup today that we will bring out as well for extra kiddy entertainment. Maybe we can get together and bring a bunch of little kids out. My buddy wants to bring his neice out too, we could make it a Baby FMer's Get Together . The more adults out there to help with the little ones the better chances all of them stay dry.

Shackbash...I like the Chisago area quite a bit as well. Maybe we could try to set something up for the 15th.

[PerchJerker]

I started taking my boy ice fishing when he was 3.5, and my girl made her first trip last March when she was 2.5. Like everyone else has said, keep it short, have extra warm clothes, have snacks and toys, and focus on fun not on fishing. I mostly take the kids on the nice days, the day my daughter went was probably pushing 40 degrees and my wife came along too and we had a nice day out on the ice.

My kids have some poles and baits they play with at home and they're always anxious to get to go in the boat or on the ice to do the real thing. I have a camera and some LaDredge Reel Weeds, both are really a big hit with my boy when we go fishing. I also bring along several plastic $1 ice scoops which he loves to play with.

Good luck.

[Shack]

polarsusd81,

As of right now, that sounds like a good deal. We will see how things pan out, but I figure I will be fishing some where on that date and bringing the kids is all the better.

[Glockwinger]

Had my son in the sleeper when he was 6 weeks or so. He was fishing by the time he was 3 years. VERY short attention span unless you are on some quick biting sunnies or similar. In the sleeper you can always put in a Disney movie.

[g_anoka]

Personally, I feel that ice fishing is a great way to introduce kids to fishing. They are not confined to a boat. The equipment is smaller and easier for them to use. And there is nothing better then seeing the excitement on their faces when they catch a fish. Like everyone else has said, bring extra clothes, some snacks, and if they get bored, let them run around outside. My kids are older now, they have fond memories of those days, and are still willing to spend a day out on the ice with dear old dad. Someday, when they have children, I will have more fishing buddies.

[Pleasant]

I started my daughter on the ice pretty young she was less then a year. But she has been a fisherman/women since she first picked up a rod and reel. I swear this kid could catch sunfish out of a water tank. She is always ready to go fishing to this day and she will be 27 next month.

Lynn J.

[Mainehazmt]

I started my grandson at 3 mo old! it was warm in the shack! he has been out every winter now! 4th winter coming up!

[Sandmannd]

Quote:

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Sandmannd -

I have a place in mind that has always been one of those go out and catch a ton of panfish all day for fun kinda spots. It is very close to Deitz's place and I am pretty sure he drives by there every day. Very easy access and only have to walk 100 yards or so to set up. I will be trying to bring my little buddy out there in a few weeks when we get some better ice and my mom just got a new yellow lab pup today that we will bring out as well for extra kiddy entertainment. Maybe we can get together and bring a bunch of little kids out. My buddy wants to bring his neice out too, we could make it a

Baby FMer's Get Together

. The more adults out there to help with the little ones the better chances all of them stay dry.

Shackbash...I like the Chisago area quite a bit as well. Maybe we could try to set something up for the 15th.

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That sounds like a great idea polarsusd81. Would be great to get the kids out. Keep me posted.

[polarsusd81]

Sand and Shack, I talked to Deitz at the ice show and he said that if we plan it for a time that he doesn't have prior obligations that he would love to help out. I will get in touch with him over the next week and see if we can get a solid time and date. I would love to get out there and have some fun with the little ones, we could set up tip-ups and have a couple lines for jigging for them and just go out and have fun.

Tom

[Grant Pearson]

The only thing I have to do to take the midget out is get the final okay from the other half. She's not too keen on me bringing him out yet, but she's slowly coming around!!!! Any suggestions to help her come around and warm up to the idea?

[Tom Linderholm]

Great photo Mainehazemt.

My daughter and I were out 2 months after she was born in a permenant with plenty of heat a short walk from our cabin. It was short lived but she braggs about it now that she is 5. Since then she has been out a handfull of times and usually puts the rod down after 10 minutes and heads out to make snow angels. Pick warm days and be prepared to do everything but fish. It's all about the quality time and their experience.

[Shack]

KF1,

That’s a tough one!

Many moon's ago, I just did what I wanted and if I wanted kids to come they would come. My wife and I where young (17 and 18) when we had our first child. Back then I was more head strong and kind of had more pull around the roost.

I am 30 now and if we were to have a child, things would go a lot different.

When they are that young, many other things come into play. Although they are still immobile and can not do much, diaper changes and feeding are a must and happen often.

With my first child, when he was a toddler, I was blessed with a very, very good child. He listened and was a great kid to have along during long portable trips and the perm on Mille Lacs. My second child was a slightly different story, but we made it work.

When it comes down to your question, only you and your wife can make that decision. Maybe al least a stop by and show the little tike off, or bring momma and you fish.

I would like to make this happen and will be in contact with Sand and Polar.

Good luck!

[Shack]

Mainehazmt,

That is a very nice picture.

I thought it was much older than it is, until I say the digital thermometer on wall and read your post further.

Also, welcome to FM. And keep the pics coming.

[Grant Pearson]

shack-

I agree and you have good points. I would like to get him started early and can't wait until he gets a little older so he can come along, but I might just wait until next year's hard water to bring him along. That way, she can't complain or worry and I still get to go along. Plus, I would feel devastated if something were to happen to him on the ice with him being so small.

[Sandmannd]

KF, I personally would wait at least until next year. He's not really going to get anything out of an outing like this anyway. Like Shack said, you could show hime off, but wouldn't plan on doing much fishing. Since you are like the red-headed step child I never had, you could always tag along with Liz and I to this. I don't think these guys would mind if you came and didn't bring your midget with. You might have to pay me to pick your butt up though.

[Grant Pearson]

Quote:

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Since you are like the red-headed step child I never had, you could always tag along with Liz and I to this. You might have to pay me to pick your butt up though.

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As far as me being your red headed step child, just don't beat me like last time, okay? You know I'm good on cash.

Anyway, I'm actually planning on waiting until next year.

[coldmark]

Ice fishing is not for kids!

Just kidding, my 11-year old caught 3 nice walleyes tonight, just got back. I think I started taking him about 5 years ago. It's not easy when they're that age, but if they're having fun, it's all good. Be prepared for more activities besides fishing like sledding, snowmen, skating, etc. Don't expect perfect fishermen and fisherwomen.

[big drift]

I would recommend kids be at least old enough to walk and articulate what they want or need, any child younger is at risk. Ice fishing involves propane and fuel among other items that cause injuries, these are things that could cause distess to a child and you would never know it until to late.

In addition younger children who are old enough to speak can tell you when they do not feel well, to cold, to hot, etc.. It is just better to wait.

JMO as a father of 4 uncle of 5 and cousin to to many to count.

[Grant Pearson]

yeah, I'd hate for something bad to happen to him. I'd feel like dump and I'd never forgive myself for it.

[WalleyeWacker10]

3 is good if she's warm. Would be alot better if she's going to a perminent house. She should have a life jacket on before you even get on the ice! There little bodies can fit threw those massive holes we make out there these days and the bulkiness of the life jacket is good, plus she flouts. You would never be able to get that little body back! Be carful and have a blast. She'll never forget it!!