Walleye Tackle Guide What To Take Ice Fishing

Winter walleye fishing can be just as exciting as spring, summer and fall walleye fishing. The only difference with winter fishing is that you will need some equipment that you otherwise would not need during the other seasons.

Ice fishing is done when the ice is thick so you will need some basic tools to help you break through the ice to reach the fish. Before you even attempt to break the ice, you want to use a fish locator to locate a school. Your list is going to include some things that you can make your self or buy from a sporting goods store.

Things You Will Need To Survive

Ice drill

Fish locator

Ice shanty (optional)

Portable heater (optional)

Ice pick

Warm clothing

Gloves and Hat

Stool to sit on

Things You Will Need To Fish

Tip ups

Ice fishing rods

Winter bait

Bobber (optional)

The first thing you are going to do is use the fish locator to find the fish. This might be a simple process or it could take a while depending on how well you know the water you will be fishing. Once you find the right location, set up the ice shanty if you are going to have protection from the elements. If you plan to be outside fishing all day or for many days in a roll, the ice shanty is ideal. The heater inside will also help keep you a little warmer so you do not need so many layers of clothing.

Set up the ice shanty and turn on the heater. Get the ice drill ready to make the hole. The hole should be at least six inches in diameter. You can drill more than one hole inside the ice shanty to run two lines if it is large enough with enough walking room. This is the reason that many anglers make their own ice shanties, so that they can make them as big as they will need them. Two holes inside makes it nicer to fish. If you can only get one hole inside, try one hole inside and one outside in view of a window in the shanty that you can view the tip up from easily.

The ice pick is going to be used to remove any jagged edges or make the hole a little bigger. Once the holes are drilled and ready to go, get the fishing gear ready. Set up your stool in front of the hole and set your rod. Use the bait that works the best for cold-water fishing in your area. If you are using artificial bait, you have to make sure that other anglers have had luck in the area with the same bait. Check with others on the ice. Drop the line into the water through the hole and add the tip up. Then do the next hole if you are going to have two rods.

Keep as quiet as possible while ice fishing. The ice is thick but the walleye can feel vibration. You want to attract the fish and not scare them away. There are some possible lures and baits that you might want to keep in your tackle box for ice fishing.

Ice Fishing Sled – Reasons Ice Fishers Must Get One

If Ice fishing is one of your favored activities, it’s quite a smart choice since it doesn’t call for too much fancy gear and tackle stuff and whatever little ice fishing equipment is required, can be easily carried by the sportsperson to the chosen lake in a single trip – sometimes even in a roomy rucksack! Of course, the matter of transporting all the tackle and assorted stuff for an ice fishing adventure becomes all the more easier and lots more fun when you can buy an ice fishing sled to make short work of all this for you! Here’s how to get in the groove of getting one for yourself:

There is no dearth of the various models of ice fishing sleds available in the market today and these come with different price-tags, features and add-ons, which you can choose – depending on your fishing needs and equipment you need to carry. The ice auger and remaining supplies can be easily transported by loading onto the ice fishing sled from your car and taken to the lake; even the soft-bottom roll-up variety serves fishermen well as it takes up less space, is portable and comes in an easy-store case that fits perfectly into the boot of even a small car!

Most ice fishing sleds tend to be flat bottomed, as they are designed on the principle that the entire surface area will contact with ice; however, the conventional variety is equally popular still – the runner kinds! When narrowing down your choices for a good ice fishing sled, remember to do the once-over for the size, storage areas offered you inside the main body and checking to see whether all your fishing gear will fit and move easily enough when placed in it.

The best part about buying an ice fishing sled is that now you can even customize these to suit your preferences for flexi-store areas, load them with soft-sided containers or more solid, durable ones as per your needs! These flexi-soft bins are ideal for holding abnormal shaped fishing gear and are a good bet for carrying your ice auger, fisherman’s tent or winter-shelter option besides little nooks and crannies designed for tackle box, lure cases – even camping stoves!

Thus, we find that first learning about the kind of ice fishing gear you need to take along and the manner in which you intend transporting the sled from your car to the waterway, is most important in deciding the model that will best meet your requirements. Some handy hints for the maintenance of your ice fishing sled include keeping runners and boat-bottom scratch-free, ensuring adequate waxing remains on the runners and avoiding snow and moisture collecting on both these areas – guaranteed to give you optimum service for many years to come!

Kokanee Salmon Ice Fishing – 4 Tips For Catching This Delicious Breed

Because it is a land-locked variety, Kokanee salmon are more easy to find than other types that are hard to find, especially during the spawning season. Large isolate natural areas are the best places to go Kokanee salmon ice fishing, so you’re likely to do better in the Northwestern U.S., Alaska, and Canada. Montana brags about the great Kokanee salmon ice fishing it offers.

The size of Kokanee salmon depends on the density of their population and the abundance of food. They thrive at all depths in cold, clear lakes and reservoirs, and the spawn over gravel and sand at the lower end of tributaries or at the lake shore. Kokanee salmon swim in compact schools and feed on zooplankton. Males have bright red to dirty-red gray backs and sides, their head is bright olive green, and their tail is black. Females are much the same, but their colors are not as bright. Kokanee salmon range from 10 to 18 inches long.

The U.S. Army has developed some basic advice for safe ice fishing. After you have these safety tips down, you’re ready to go Kokanee salmon ice fishing. First, you should be in good physical condition to endure the extreme temperatures and to have the best chance of surviving dangerous situations like falling through the ice. Second, you should wear durable clothing that protects from wind, freezing temperatures, and precipitation. But your clothing must not be so cumbersome as to create a hazard if you should fall though the ice. To avoid this dangerous situation, wear a flotation device while ice fishing, something like an inflatable vest or jacket. Third, carry equipment to measure the depth of the ice layer and items for rescue or self-rescue like an ice pick or chisel.

The Army also offers some procedural advice for safety:
- Never go out on the ice alone and never go on the ice if there is any question of safety. Always let someone know where you are going and how long you intend to be there.
- Know what the temperature has been for several days before your trip and keep an eye on the temperature while you are ice fishing.
- Look for areas of open water to avoid and listen for cracks or booms that may indicate unsafe ice thickness.
- If you’re going on the ice in a group, always stay at least 10 feet apart so you don’t put too much weight on one spot of ice.

Kokanee salmon ice fishing is best done during the coldest part of the winter, when large lakes are frozen over. They’ll be more easy to catch near the center of the lake where you can reach the deepest parts of the lake. You’ll probably have the best luck in Alaska and northwest Canada, but many areas in the lower 48 area also good for Kokanee salmon ice fishing. Nevada’s Lake Tahoe is a popular spot because it’s a deep freshwater lake where Kokanee salmon abound because they have plenty of space for breeding. There are also some great spots in Washington, Oregon, Wyoming, Montana and Colorado.

Before you go on your Kokanee salmon ice fishing trip, be sure to check local regulations. There are many places that ban the practice, for example Crater Lake and Guelph Lake. While you can do some Kokanee salmon ice fishing in New York’s lakes, it is heavily regulated in that state. Be sure to check with the state’s fish and wildlife departments to find out if Kokanee salmon ice fishing is allowed there.

Selecting An Ice Fishing Auger – 3 Points To Keep In Mind

For the older and ice fishing buffs it is probably an unknown condition to use an ice fishing auger. However, the newer lot of anglers would never have had to go through the cumbersome effort of boring a gap in the ice to catch your fish through. The new very powerful ice fishing augers which are compact and lightweight save you from the arduous task of working on chipping a hole in the ice for hours. These ice fishing augers make your life so much more comfortable now.

The various styles of ice fishing augers in the market
The kind of ice fishing auger that you will need depends on the kind of drilling that you have to do on every trip of yours. There are several different types available in the market, with varied power, size and models. Some who are out fishing in the ice may want only a few holes to be drilled in a day whereas others may need several, this is so especially if they are moving along with a school of fish that is feeding. So if you require an auger with a high power and with more fuel usage you would need to drill at a faster pace.

The different apparatus that must be considered when selecting an ice fishing auger should take account of:

1. Gas or electric powered – it is preferable to use gas powered augers as it easier to shift them on the ice and you do not have to bring a power supply source with you, such as a battery. You would of course need oil and gasoline or make sure that you have filled the auger up before you leave for the lake. With no polluting emissions, the Electric augers are thought to be more eco friendly. The ice fishing augers that are gas powered are more effective than those that are operated with a battery and are more competent for drilling through ice especially if it is extending beyond a depth of over three to four feet. There is not much variation in performance for a thinner layer of ice.

2. Gear ratio – To control the speed of the drill the gear ratios are used. This is a safety factor of the ice fishing auger which will allow the user to control the speed of the drill which is a vital safety factor. Another important factor is to keep the gear compilation easily reachable to keep it well maintained even when the weather is cold.

3. The drill size – drills are normally not more than ten inches, but usually within 6 to 8 inches only. The size of the hole that you are planning to drill in the ice will have to be considered if you are thinking of using a tip up or on jigging. If you need a bigger sized drill this is usually found with ice fishing augers that are gas powered.

You can also have manual ice fishing by using a revolving shaft to assist in providing the twisting action and slicing energy for the auger. The manual augers which are the cheapest to procure are also the most environment friendly ones and also much lighter in weight than the others.

Ice Fishing Augers – Don’t Go Ice Fishing Without One

When it comes to Ice fishing it is a different ball game all together and is so much different from usual fishing. If the correct precautions are not followed then it might become dangerous. Also right materials have to be carefully chosen. There comes the need of Ice fishing augers. These are the most important materials required for ice fishing. The usage of an auger is to assist in drilling a hole into the hard ice for fishing. So by utilizing ice fishing augers correctly any serious danger can be averted from coming up.

But how does the ice fishing augers function? Generally an Auger is a drill-type tool which is used to assist in boring through hard and thick surfaces. It is also possible to move the Auger in angles easily. So it helps in drilling a good round circle. These Ice fishing augers can be either worked or operated manually by hand or they can be powered by gas. The Gas powered ice fishing augers work great in thick area, but for the occasional ice fisher a hand operated is more suitable.

As far as price is concerned hand operated ice fishing augers are cheaper than the ice augers operated by gas power. But for thicker areas a gas powered one is more effective and also takes less time for penetrating the ice. It is particularly liked by greater experienced fishers and is more useful to them.

The ice fishing augers durability is quite high and they can last for quite long time if proper care is taken. The cleaning of augers should be done properly. It will make it more effective and less damage prone.

It should be known that the gas powered augers comes in various horse powers and those with greater horse power will be able to drill thicker and wider holes a good rate.

It is important to check that before you venture out for fishing you have checked whether the augers is working properly or not. The test drill can be done by spinning the manually operated augers. The same is true with the gas powered augers. It should be ensured that all the parts of the gas powered augers are connected properly. The gas quantity should also be sufficient.

The Ice fishing augers forms important equipment for the individuals who go ice fishing as it is used to drill hole which is used for fishing subsequently. Thus you should choose right fishing augers and if a thicker sheet of ice has to be drilled then you should have a gas powered auger with higher horsepower and if you are just a casual ice fisher then a hand operated auger will work fine.

Ice Fishing Accessories – The More The Better!

Try going ice fishing with the normal fishing equipment and you will understand the need for special accessories and equipment. Ice fishing accessories include equipment that assist the angler in the process of locating, catching, storing the catch and even keeping himself warm during the whole process.

Beginning with simple accessories such as special ice cutters that are necessary for ice fishing. An angler needs an ice saw to cut a hole in the ice and get to the water under it. A small hammer and a chisel may also be useful if the ice is thick. Then the angler will need something to sit on such as a fishing stool perhaps with a back rest for the small of the back. Ice fishing, as the name suggests, is a sport that is enjoyed in the cold i.e. if you can keep yourself warm enough to enjoy it.

Here is where one needs some ice fishing gear that includes special clothes that will keep the angler warm during the fishing trip. This gear will include windcheaters, thermal wear, spiked shoes to prevent the angler slipping on the ice and of course balaclava and gloves. In addition to keeping warm by bundling up there is also the option of taking some hot drinks along – or for the better part of the brews some brandy will do just fine to cut the chill from the cutting wind that will be blowing the angler away.

Talking about cutting winds blowing, it might be a good idea to get yourself an ice fishing tent. This is a bottomless tent that is designed to keep out the chilling winds and keep the angler warm. The bottomless part of the tent facilitates the cutting of a fishing hole and seating the angler comfortably within. These ice fishing tents come in various sizes and can comfortable seat one or more anglers.

Now that is as far as the normal day-to-day ice fishing accessories are concerned. The more advanced anglers, and those who can afford it, there are state-of-the-art electronic equipment such as GPS systems that are used to locate the best fishing spots. These Global Positioning Systems are used by subscribers to find where the best ice fishing game is located and the anglers relocate to fish for the kid of sport of their choice. This GPS service is also very useful in case the fishermen get lost in a storm or mist, they can use the GPS to get back to land or send out an SOS in case they get into trouble.

Then there is the digital thermometer that will ensure that the temperature of the water is just right and that there will be no danger of the ice breaking if you sit too long. Then there I the option of taking along a heater to keep warm in the ice fishing tent, this heater may be important if the temperatures threaten to get dangerously cold during the fishing trip.

Once the ice fishing kit is packed with the necessary equipment as well as a few necessary accessories ice fishing can be a lot more fun – should the fish decode to bite!

Ice Fishing: Have You Ever Considered This Great Outdoor Activity

Ice fishing is an extremely popular sport in many areas of the world where the climate allows for the complete freezing over of the water to create a layer of ice that is thick enough to be safe. As its name implies, ice fishing involves fishing for fish underneath a sometimes very thick layer of ice. The fisherman is responsible for making his own hole to fish through, and there are many tools that are used to do this.

When ice fishing, the way things are gone about depends a great deal on how long the person plans to be on the ice and how experienced or avid of an ice fisherman that they are. Many fishermen will come with a friend or in a group, and fish through holes in the ice that are made underneath a type of cabin called an ice fishing hut. These are small, collapsible huts that are assembled on the ice and can provide enough warmth to allow for an extended period of ice fishing. Many fisherman choose to stay overnight in these huts, usually, with one other person or perhaps in a group. Consider it the winter version of a fishing camping trip, on the ice.

Of the many outdoor sports, ice fishing is certainly one of the most expensive of them all. It requires specialized fishing equipment, warm clothing to keep the elements out, and a tool to hack through the ice and get to the water, and often times a collapsible fishing hut and a backpack or something else to carry it in. Of course there are other necessities like food and water, but most ice fishing enthusiasts are not unwilling to rough it.

Ice fishing is popular in many areas, including the United States. Of course, not every region of the U.S. is cold enough to make winter time ice fishing safe or even at all possible but there are many places where it is. The technique of ice fishing is a lot different than actual fishing itself, and the process itself is different as well. Those who want to try something new and don’t mind the cold but are fans of the great outdoors would fare well in such an intense and interesting pastime as ice fishing.

For those who haven’t done it before, it is best advised that you get a little bit of help from a more experienced ice fisherman before you embark out on your own. They can give you tips on everything, from how to occupy yourself on the ice while playing that waiting game, what type of ice fishing cabin will work best, and where to get the best supplies not to mention the best ways of using them.

There are so many different ways to go about ice fishing and you have to find the style and the time that is best for you. Only through trial and error can a beginning ice fisherman get this done. If you are itching to learn something new and you live in a wintry area, ice fishing may very well be just the thing for you to try.

How to Use These Top 10 Pieces of Ice Fishing Equipment to Increase Your Catch

Given the advances of the past couple decades, ice fishing equipment has come a long way.  Gone are the days of freezing your tail off, hunched over a hole with a rod cut from a summer pole attempting to catch fish through a hole in the ice.  Today’s equipment allows for unprecedented mobility as well as great comfort to allow for longer and more successful trips to the ice.  Below is a list of the top 10 things that you can get to make your time on the ice more productive and enjoyable.

    10) Ice Fishing Plastics   
Today’s plastics are revolutionary in that they at times catch more fish than live bait.  This normally comes from their scent and durability.  Using one piece of Berkley Powerbait to catch a dozen fish is not uncommon.

    9) Wheel House
Gone are the days of 3 hours to move your permanent ice house.  With a wheel house you can jack it back up, hook it up to the truck and move on down to your next ice fishing destination.  A great way to cover more ice and not dread moving from a hot spot that has gone south.

    8) Glow Jigs
Perfect for those low light times or when fishing water that is murky, many of today’s jigs come with glow paint on them that often increases catch rates immensely.  Popular models include the Lindy Frostee and the Genz Bug.  Simply place the jig next to a light source, preferably an LED light source, and your jig will illuminate very bright to draw in the fish.

    7 Underwater Ice Fishing Camera
Nothing has increased people’s understanding of the underwater world more than this piece of equipment.  The underwater camera allows you to watch everything that is going on beneath the ice on a TV screen.  It allows you to use minor adjustments to coax more fish into biting your bait.

    6) GPS with Lake Contour Software
The advent of the GPS allowed for people to bring high technology with them wherever they went.  Couple that with lake contour software, and we can go directly to the structure we see on our GPS.  This saves unknown time finding new spots as well as pinpointing the exact spot that was successful in the past.  Lakemaster makes excellent contour software for Garmin and Lowrance devices.

    5) Modern Ice Fishing Rod
Today’s ice fishing rods are built specifically for high performance ice fishing.  With a spine that allows one to play the fish as they fight, these rods are far superior than the rods of yesteryear.  You can even tailor the action of the rod to fit the fishing you are doing from ultra light for panfish to a heavy duty ice rod for northern pike. 

    4) Portable Propane Heater
Nothing is worse than being cold while a hot bite is on.  The beauty of today’s heaters is both their portability as well as their heat output.  Some models are even safe indoors, and are great for heating up your portable or permanent shelter.  Mr. Heater and Coleman are the major brands in this space and both produce excellent heaters to keep you on warm and content on the ice.

    3) Portable Ice Fishing Shelter
Lightweight and extremely portable, the tent-like ice shelters you can purchase today allow for comfort, style and charm all while providing you opportunity to follow the hot bite.  The shelters go up and come down quickly and really keep the elements at bay.  Clam, Eskimo and Eastman all produce a high quality portable ice shanty for your ice fishing needs.

    2) Gas Powered Ice Auger
Today’s ice angler is all about moving to keep on the hot bite.  Couple that mentality with an ultra sharp gas powered ice auger of today and you can make swiss cheese of any lake you are on.  By punching many holes before you start fishing you can move at will and not spook the fish if they have moved slightly in one direction.  You will find high quality models from Strikemaster, Jiffy, and Eskimo to quench your thirst for catching more fish.

  1) Ice Fishing Flasher

 Perhaps no tool is more powerful than the ice fishing flasher.  Allowing the fisherman to see the entire water column as well as their bait leads to more fish on the ice.  Utilizing a flasher combined with the many holes you punched with your ice auger you can move quickly if no fish are below a hole.  With varying colors to mark how big an object below the flasher is, you can see when a fish rises to take your bait.  They are invaluable when fishing for suspended fish like crappies which would otherwise be overlooked.

With all the technology and innovation afforded to ice fishermen today there is no reason catching more fish needs to be a pipe dream.  If you combine even 3 of the items listed above you will greatly increase your chances are catching more and bigger fish.

Packing For Your Ice Fishing Trip – 5 Tips For Success

Although ice fishing is, in itself, an exhilarating and enjoyable sport, your pleasure and ultimate success can be greatly enhanced by the use of ice fishing accessories. Not only should your ice fishing accessories be those items that assist in the catching of the fish, but they should also be geared to your comfort and safety while engaged in the sport.

1. Cool electronics

There is a vast array of electronic equipment available that can be adapted as ice fishing accessories. An excellent example of this would be a global positioning system reader or GPS, which can be utilised to assist you in returning to your point of departure, or an alternative safe point, in the event of an emergency. From the sophistication of a GPS right down to the simplicity of a digital thermometer, useful for determining whether or not it is cold enough to reduce the risk of ice breaking, electronic equipment is certainly becoming an integral part of ice fishing accessories.

2. Getting hot under the collar

Unsurprisingly, a heater is the quintessential accessory of ice fishing accessories. Not only does it serve to keep you warm, it can also be of great assistance in opening the hole through which you will be ice fishing. By its very nature, ice fishing is conducted in extremely cold conditions and it is of paramount importance that the ice fisherman is able to remain warm. Naturally, there are safety precautions that one should adhere to when making use of the heater, not least of which is being conscientious as to where the heater is positioned. Should it be placed too close to the area in which you are fishing, there is a risk of the ice around the fisherman melting.

3. Dress for success

As with any sporting activity, the clothing used for ice fishing is an important element of the ice fishing accessories. The fundamental principle behind the clothing used for ice fishing is that it should be designed to keep you warm. To this end, several layers of clothing should be worn and thermal underwear will provide you with added protection against the cold. In addition, extra clothing items that can be utilised in the event of the clothing that you are wearing becoming wet should also form part of the ice fishing accessories taken on the trip.

4. Travel right – travel light

Packing your ice fishing accessories requires careful consideration and forethought. A suitable bag or container which is easy to transport should be selected and it is imperative that only essential items are selected, taking into account the duration of your proposed excursion. A bag that is too heavily laden with ice fishing accessories will be cumbersome to transport and you may also run the risk of compromising the ice.

5. Forewarned is forearmed

Research is key when considering the utilisation of, and requirement for ice fishing accessories. The weather, as an example, will be a major determinant of the necessity for certain clothing items. It is also a viable option to ascertain whether or not the area will be particularly inundated with ice fisherman, as this will have an impact on your ability to negotiate the area, and accordingly, your selection of ice fishing accessories. Furthermore, your level of experience will play a role in determining your need for specific ice fishing accessories.

Ice fishing can be an enjoyable and rewarding endeavour, which can be greatly enhanced by ensuring that you have the correct ice fishing accessories at your disposal. In addition, your understanding of your ice fishing accessories, and correct usage of them, will go a long way to making sure that your experience is a safe one.

Ice Fishing Equipment – Must Know Facts For Beginners

Several countries in the North practice an angling that is a bit different from other forms of fun fishing. This kind of fishing is what they call the ice fishing you must have a lot of patience and the ice fishing equipment when doing it. Ice fishing is a slow and sometimes a dangerous sport.

If you are wondering where ice fishing started, it started in frozen countries like Norway and Canada, however, these are not the only countries that practices this style of fishing. Another location that is great for ice fishing is in Alaska because the ice is thick, which is makes it an ideal to fish on. When you go ice fishing make sure that the ice is thick enough to support your weight.

In the old times, ice fishing equipment is composed of a strong wooden pole, a strong and long fishing line, with a hook and a bait and of course a stool to sit on while waiting for a catch. Other would chose to use a spear to catch a fish but only a few uses this method but a spear is an effective ice fishing equipment to use.

If you think fishing is just sitting and waiting will you are wrong. It needs hard work and patience to cut a whole through the thick ice to expose the water below. In order to do this you will need an ice saw or an ice spades, which is an essential part of ice fishing equipment. When using this equipment you can cut whole of 5 inches in diameter in the frozen lake. Another important part of ice fishing equipment is the strainer used to get rid of newly forming chunks of ice in the water.

There are various kinds of fishing techniques that can be use in ice fishing. The first technique needs a small, lures fast and a keen eye to catch smaller fish. Second, uses a ‘tie-up’, a special part of ice fishing equipment. This method works by dragging the multi-hooked fishing line until it strikes, which ties the fish in a web of hooks. The spear method is another technique, which works by placing bait on the water and strike when the right moment comes.

Even though ice fishing is a fun sport it is also dangerous. The frozen ice must be four inches thick to support the average weight of a person but sometimes the ice is less than four inches thick. Taking for granted the thickness of the ice can lead to a disaster. A person can die because of hypothermia if he falls into the ice water especially if it is not taken care of immediately.

Next Page »