Whether you have been targeting walleye for decades or you are about to hit the ice for the first time this winter, this age-old question is top of mind: How deep should I be fishing? Like anything in fishing – ESPECIALLY ice fishing – there isn’t a definitive answer to this question, but there are …
As an ice angler, you know that a wet foot is a cold foot, and a cold foot guarantees a cold body. That means that a good waterproof boot is a key to staying warm and keeping you out on the ice fishing. This is where a pair of Bogs Boots comes into play as …
The name Night crawlers can conjure up some wild images in our imaginations. So, let me assure you that the night crawlers we’re talking about aren’t the blue, pointy tailed, teleporting mutant from Marvel’s X-Men franchise. The Night crawlers, we’re going to be talking about, are the big, plump, juicy worms you see on top …
The question of whether side imaging is effective for ice fishing has been a topic of discussion lately. The use of side imaging in ice fishing is to help locate fish that are not visible due to the low visibility conditions in wintertime when there’s snow and ice on the surface. Side Imaging will not …
If you’re new to ice fishing, you’re probably wondering how it can be so similar to open water fishing, yet so different at the same time. For example, why doesn’t the ice fishing pole you just bought have any reel mounting seats, and how can you keep the reel on your rod? Understanding why you …
Unlike open-water anglers, ice fishers are essentially fishing blind — a thick blanket of ice and snow obscure signs of where to find fish. However, today, ice anglers can see below the ice thanks to technology. Sonar and underwater cameras open the world below the ice to be seen, giving you an immense advantage in …
Open water fishing and ice fishing have some things in common: the same lakes, the same fish, and they use similar baits and lures. One thing that isn’t the same is the delivery method or the way you get your bait in front of a fish. On the open water, you repeatedly cast your line …
Ice fishing is a great way to spend time with family and friends. However, it can be difficult to attract the fish when you’re not using bait. One solution is to use an underwater camera that lets you see what’s happening below the ice. One of the most important things to consider when ice fishing …
Quad ATVs are highly versatile work or play vehicles, and a natural addition to the avid outdoorsman’s arsenal of get-it done gear. It should be no surprise that their adrenaline pumping, year round, go, anywhere attitude has them growing in popularity with ice Anglers. The right set of ATV tire chains gives ice anglers an …
There isn’t a silver bullet answer to this question. The best depth for your target species under clear, early season ice differs from later in the season. Many variables such as time of day, lake depth and more affect where you’ll find the fish. Studying the habits and tendencies of your target species before stepping …
Shrouded in mystery and steeped in legend, the moon is the source of countless stories, and has a powerful effect on our daily lives. We already know the moon causes the ebb and flow of ocean tides around the world. Armed with this knowledge, we have to wonder what effect our ever-present companion of the …
If you’ve seen a documentary on shark fishing, you’ve seen chumming and how the blood scent of the chum attracts sharks from great distances. What if this approach could attract fish under the ice? Read on to see how to chum when ice fishing. Chumming is the practice of adding ground bait to the water …
Is a campfire while ice fishing safe? Now that’s a burning question? Sorry, I had to say it. All joking aside, it’s a serious question and understanding its many sides can help avoid a potential tragedy. Ice fishing requires hours on the hard water in what are often hostile, freezing conditions. So, trying to keep …
Every year as the mercury drops through the floor, in Ontario, Wisconsin, and Minnesota, fishing huts pop up all over frozen lakes. For many die-hard ice anglers, these makeshift villages become home away from home during the long cold winter. If you’re new to the sport of ice fishing, knowing how many lines, rods, or …
Hooks catch things. In music, a good hook connects with a listener’s emotions. In sales, a good hook closes the deal. When ice fishing, a good quality, correctly sized hook gets the fish to the top-side of your ice hole. This begs questions, what is a good hook, and what size hook is best for …
The most important, but least planned, part of ice fishing may very well be the hole size. Six-inch and eight-inch are two of the most popular hole sizes. For ice fishers, deciding what size hole to fish through is an important decision. Hole size matters because it determines what species you’re more likely to pull …
When ice fishing, your first concern is staying on top of the ice, your next concern is enduring frigid temperatures as you pull in your favorite catch. You have many options to consider when choosing the right clothes for keeping toasty on the hard water. Today we’re going to answer the question, Are waders the …
Winter is the time of year when people get out their ice fishing gear and head to a frozen lake. But before you grab your rod, make sure that you have made plans for shelter: either an insulated or non-insulated one will do the trick. Which one should you choose? This blog post will compare …
Unless you tag along with a buddy who’s going ice fishing, outfitting yourself for ice fishing isn’t cheap. Rods, reels, fish finders, shelters, and augers can easily total several thousand dollars. And that’s without a snowmobile or ATV to get you there. None of that will matter if you head out on the ice without …
Back in the day, grandpa and dad used an old hand-cranked auger when drilling lots of holes in the hard water to catch dinner. Nowadays, I’m thrilled that we use Sonar imaging systems to locate fish, and that when we drill holes, the augers are gas-powered. Let’s look at the Down Imaging system, popular today …
