During Midwest winters, one of the most popular outdoor activities is ice fishing. It can be a cure for cabin fever, a great option to get outdoors with family and friends, and a fun way to catch dinner.
Whether you’re a beginner ice angler or you’ve been out on the frozen lake a few times, you need to know how to properly set up your ice fishing equipment.
Learn about ice fishing shelters, tip-ups, and more with this setup guide from Blain’s Farm & Fleet.
One of the easiest ways to get your equipment out on the ice is with an ice fishing sled. It allows you to easily drag everything across the ice and snow.
Your ice fishing gear must-haves include a bucket (which can double as a seat), an ice auger, an ice scoop/ice skimmer (to remove extra ice from your fishing hole), ice rescue picks, and ice treads or cleats.
You should also be outfitted in warm snow boots and ice fishing clothing. Safety should be your first priority, and that includes dressing properly.
Another safety precaution you must take is knowing the thickness of the ice. If the ice is four inches or thicker, you should be safe. Anything thinner, and you risk falling through.
Once you’re out on the ice, it’s time to drill your hole. To drill your ice fishing hole, the easiest tool to use is an auger.
You can choose from gas-powered augers and hand augers. Whichever kind you pick, your hole should not be more than 12 inches across. Varying hole sizes can actually help you catch different fish.
Smaller holes, about four to five inches, work well for bluegills, crappie, and perch. Eight-inch holes work great for lake trout, northern pike, and walleye. It’s also the size commonly used for tip-ups.
Be sure to check with your state for ice fishing hole regulations.
You have a few options when it comes to the actual fishing part of an ice fishing setup. A tip-up is a device that sends up a spring-loaded flag when a fish hits your line.
Many ice fishers use jigging ice fishing rods with shorts lengths of 18 to 24 inches. The short length makes them easy to use in an ice fishing shelter.
While not a necessity, a shelter can keep you out of the wind, cold, and snow while you’re fishing. There are a few things to consider when you’re choosing an ice fishing shelter.
You have to think about how many people need to fit inside, portability, and ease of setup. If you truly plan on going alone, a one-person ice shanty will suffice.
However, it’s worth the investment (and comfort) to buy a two- or three-person shanty if you’re bringing some fishing buddies or family members.
You also have to consider portability. If you’re going to be in one spot for the day, you can go with a hub-style or cabin-style shelter. If you’re looking for more mobility, go with a flip-style shelter.
Hub- and cabin-style shelters are more difficult to set up when you’re alone, but they provide a lot of room. Flip-style shelters stand up to wind and are easy to move, but they’re also the most expensive.
Putting together your ice fishing setup is only the beginning. For more tips and how-tos, visit our Fishing Blog.
