An iconic sight in the northern parts of the world is the sight of people out on a frozen lake, bent over a small hole in the ice, and bundled up in multiple layers just waiting for a bite.
Some could substitute a plywood or nylon hut rather than all the layers, but the same idea.
Ice Fishing has been a human activity for close to 2000 years, with archeologists finding evidence of native peoples starting the practice as a way to acquire food in the dead of winter.
Evidence shows that Europeans started Ice Fishing around AD 1500.
Wisconsin specifically is one of the most common places in the lower 48 where Ice Angler’s go to practice their craft.
It’s one of the places with almost year-round fishing and still has some of the best countries to get lost in.
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Do you need a license to ice fish in Wisconsin?
In short, yes. In long format, yeeeeeeeeeeeesssssssssssssssssss.
Okay, in all seriousness, yes if you are over the age of 16, fishing licenses are required in Wisconsin.
However, there are some interesting options for what kind of licenses you can purchase.
First-time Anglers (i.e. people who have never fished in Wisconsin before) can purchase a discounted license as a way to encourage more people to try out fishing in Wisconsin.
There are also one-day fishing licenses that aren’t as inexpensive as the First-Time license but are significantly reduced from the full Resident License. The purchase of the one-day license does contribute to a full license if you decide to upgrade.
Active duty military personnel on leave or furlough in Wisconsin can also get a discounted license.
Wisconsin makes it easy too. Licenses can be bought online through their Go Wild website.
When can you start ice fishing in Wisconsin?
Ice Fishing is one of those sports that, for obvious reasons, is very dependent on the changing weather or climate. The season normally starts around the middle part of November, when winter gets intense.
Many Anglers want to shoot for an early start in the season, but that can be dangerous if you don’t know what you are looking for. Ice can be somewhat thin in the early or late parts of the season.
The most crowded part of the year is around the Winter Holidays when the ice is best and everyone has time off from work. If you can handle fighting the crowds around mid-December, then this would be the best time to roll out on the ice.
How late can you ice fish in Wisconsin?
The season itself ends around March or April of the following year when spring begins to thaw everything.
This is a boon for ice anglers because the season stays going for almost half the year! November through April means 6 months’ worth of time to get out on the ice and limit out on your license with plenty of time.
Just like the early part of the season though, the later you go out fishing, the thinner the ice gets.
The weather warms, ice melts. That means the ice is thin and has a much higher chance of an angler breaking and falling through into the freezing cold water.
How many rods can you ice fish within Wisconsin?
Rod, hook, or bait limits are a form of regulation in order to protect fishing populations and are very important to keep an ecosystem alive and thriving.
Thriving ecosystems are important if we want to maintain the life of our hobby.
The state of Wisconsin has an interesting take on rod and hook limits. Wisconsin’s system for fishing is more based on bait and hooks than rods.
You can only have 3 baited rods/lines in the water at any given time, but you can mix and match somewhat.
So this would be something like:
- Three baits on one fishing rod/line with three hooks
- Or two baits on one fishing rod/line with two hooks and one bait on one fishing rod/line
- Or one bait on three different rods/lines.
It gets somewhat grayer when you add in artificial lures and treble hooks. One artificial lure counts as one bait, even if it has more than one hook.
Is it safe to ice fish in Wisconsin?
Ice Fishing is like all forms of outdoor activity when it comes to safety. It has its own pitfalls and concerns to worry about in addition to all the other aspects of being outdoors in the freezing cold.
Wilderness Hazards
It is worth going over what to worry about when going out to fish, hike, hunt, or camp in the wilderness.
Always take a buddy! Never go alone. The buddy system exists for a reason.
There is this whole “mystique” surrounding the lone fisherman, but fishing is a social activity, and it always helps to have a buddy there to share the experience or be helpful if you are injured.
If you are going somewhere you don’t know or don’t know well, make sure you bring a buddy who knows the terrain and can navigate it easily!
Also, make sure someone who isn’t going on the trip knows where you are going.
- Be in good Condition! If you feel sick or under the weather, do not go out into the wilderness.
Even if you have a group, you can make everything get worse. Be healthy and know your own limits.
No one wants to be wheezing on the trail or coughing and scaring away the fish. - Check your Equipment before you leave! So this one may seem to go without saying, but I freely admit that I am guilty of not doing this because of excitement from time to time.
Make sure everything works and is charged fully before you pack it and get on the road. - Watch the Weather! Don’t get stuck in your ice shanty in the middle of a blizzard!
Know what is coming, and know when to bug out if the weather is getting way to nasty. - Think before you Drink! This one has two levels.
- Level 1) Just because water is frozen or has been trapped under ice for a long time, does not mean it is clean. Make sure to pack in your own potable water or drinks.
- Level 2) Alcohol isn’t an evil thing to have in the wilderness. It’s not a bad thing to enjoy with your mates when you are out doing your favorite hobby.
However, getting wasted is in no way safe when you are out and about, especially if you are in a place you aren’t quite familiar with. Alcohol can also make you feel warmer than you actually are and lead to hypothermia.
Ice Fishing Specific Hazards
When looking at hazards for ice fishing, you will find most of the tips deal with ice thickness. That is valid, though. Falling through the ice is a risk, though minor if you know what to look for. There are some other concerns most people miss.
Ice Thickness
This is the big one. No one wants to fall into freezing cold water. Even if you make it out no worse for wear, it is still a miserable experience.
A typical guide for if ice is safe is 4 inches for a human, 8 inches for an ATV/Snowmobile, 12 inches for a car, and 14+ for a truck.
There are several other things to look into when gauging the thickness of the ice:
- Ice Color! Clear or blue ice is going to be the best ice to look for. It’s strong and solid.
White ice might have hidden flaws and cracks you can’t see well, but provided it is at least 4 inches, you should be okay.
Steer clear of gray or dirty looking ice as it will give way and crack wide open. - Watch the Current! Places with strong currents do not freeze as solid.
Places, where streams or rivers empty into a lake or flow out of a lake, are going to be a great deal less thick than places with slow and placid water. - Be Aware! Be aware of your surroundings. Ice will shift and change over the course of a day’s fishing.
As it does, it will make a sound. Watch the ice and listen for cracking sounds.
There are also hazards unrelated to ice cracking specifically:
- Walk Softly! The ice may not give under your feet, but it can still be slippery.
According to the Mayo Clinic, bruises, sprains, and broken bones are 46 percent of the injuries sustained by ice anglers.
Slipping on the ice can be painful! Walk carefully. - Dress Warm! Hypothermia and Frostbite are not your friends! Make sure to wear layers and keep yourself warm. Do not be afraid to cut a trip short if the temperature drops.
- Carbon Monoxide Poisoning! If you are using an Ice Hut with a stove, be aware of carbon monoxide poisoning and its symptoms (lightheadedness, nausea, disorientation, etc.).
Step out for air if you need it. Also keep in mind that tents or plywood shelters are flammable, and heaters are somewhat…hot!