What You Need to Start Ice Fishing: A Beginners Guide

by John Wren
What You Need to Start Ice Fishing: A Beginners Guide

What You Need to Start Ice Fishing: A Beginners Guide

Image Source: FreeImages‍

You’d think ice fishing would be about as simple and straightforward as an outdoor activity can get. You’re essentially sitting on a frozen lake, after all, with a fishing rod in your hands. That sounds pretty straightforward to us! However, it’s not quite that simple… There are actually several factors to take into account before heading out onto the ice. For instance, how thick is the ice? Where is it safe to venture and where might there be hidden dangers? How cold will it get? And so on… It is much trickier than you might think! As such, we thought we’d put together this guide on everything you need to know before setting off on your own personal mission to find the perfect piece of ice that meets your needs and requirements. So read on for our essential ice fishing tips…

Decide on your equipment

There are some essential pieces of equipment that every ice angler should have in their tackle box before they set off on their trip. And remember, having the right equipment and tackle can make a huge difference the success of your ice fishing trip.

Bestseller No. 1
Piscifun Fishing Line Winder Spooler Machine Spinning Reel Spool Spooling Station System Automatic Spools Holder
  • Compact and lightweight, easy to remove and install
  • Adjustable Spool Width Control / Spring-loaded tension ensures even spooling
  • The Suction Cup at the bottom could adsorb on any smooth surface, especially on glass material with water on
  • Note: Piscifun Braided Fishing Line is not included
  • International products have separate terms, are sold from abroad and may differ from local products, including fit, age ratings, and language of product, labeling or instructions.
Bestseller No. 2
ZACX Fish Lip Gripper Pliers - Upgraded Muti-Function Hook Remover and Split Ring Pliers for Fly Fishing, Ice Fishing, Fishing Gear - Gift for Men (Package B)
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  • ✔MORE CONVENIENT OPERATE- Higher quality spring loaded handle keeps it open freely, super easy to use by one hand, come with lanyard which prevent accidental loss and always easy to reach
  • ✔STURDY AND DURABILITY- These pliers and grippers are ideal for both freshwater and harsh saltwater environments, corrosion resistant, extremely light for long time fishing trip
  • ✔BEST GIFT FOR FISHMAN- Cool gift for angler friends or family. Such as Father's Day or Valentine's Day Style A Package: 1x fishing gripper; Style B Package: 1x Fishing Tool Set ( 1 fish lip gripper...
Bestseller No. 3
Huntury Retractable Ice Fishing Scoop Skimmer, Ice Fishing Accessories, Long Length, And Larger Spoon, No More Bending Over To Scoop Out Ice While Ice Fishing, Ice Fishing Gear
  • 【No More Bending Over To Scoop Out Ice】Our ice fishing scoop skimmer boasts an adjustable handle, extending from 1.1ft to 2.4ft. With a simple twist of the aluminum rod, lock in your preferred...
  • 【Spacious Spoon Capacity Design】Unlike other ice scoops, our ice fishing scoop skimmer features a doubled spoon height, significantly increasing ice-carrying capacity. This unique design...
  • 【Portable Convenience】Crafted from lightweight aluminum, our ice fishing scoop skimmer is a breeze to carry. The telescopic handle lets you adjust the length on the fly, making it even more...
  • 【Versatile Spoon Angle Adjustment】Easily adjust the spoon angle up to 180°, providing users with maximum flexibility for ice scooping. This design ensures the ice fishing scoop skimmer is...
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Bestseller No. 4
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Bestseller No. 5
Alichino Ice Fishing Jig Set Ice Fishing Lures for Panfish Crappie, Ice Jig Head Hook Set (Lead ice jig Sets 6 Types 36 pcs with Box)
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  • two sided fly fishing box , clear cover

Here is what you should consider before setting off:

Check the ice thickness and conditions

Knowing the ice thickness and its condition will help you decide where to go. If you’re fishing on a frozen lake, you can use your foot as a gauge to check the thickness. If you can’t get your foot through the ice, it’s probably safe to fish. But you should also check the thickness with a ruler or an ice spud. Remember, don’t rely on the color of the ice as this can be misleading. Dark-colored lakes are often thicker than lighter colored ones. If you’re fishing on a river, there are a few ways to check the thickness. First, you can use a ruler or an auger. If you hear the sound of water, you’ve hit a soft spot, which means the ice might be thin and unsafe. You can also check the area around the riverbank to see how thick the ice is there and use that as a gauge for the rest of the river.

Bestseller No. 1
Eskimo S33Q8 Sting Ray 33cc with 8"Quantum Ice Auger Red
  • 33CC VIPER 2-CYCLE ENGINE: Cold-weather tested
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  • PRECISION, STAINLESS STEEL BLADES: Blades last longer and hold their edge in dirty ice. Blade protector included to help further extend the life of your blades
  • STAINLESS CENTERING POINT: Keeps the auger stable on uneven ice, or when re-drilling old holes
  • ALL-METAL TRANSMISSION: Offers optimum gearing
Bestseller No. 2
16" x 4" Upgraded Auger Drill Bit with Sharp Thickended Blades and Tungsten Steel Cemented Carbide - Ice Augers for Ice Fishing Intensive Blades for Planting for 3/8" Hex Drive Drill
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Bestseller No. 3
Jiffy Hand Auger, Flip-Down, Extendable, 6-Inch, Steel, Yellow, J4656
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Bestseller No. 4
ION® Alpha Plus, 8-Inch, Gen 3, 40V Lithium-ion, Electric Ice Auger, 59250
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  • TURBO HIGH-SPEED CUTTING SYSTEM – An aggressive new cutting system that smoothly and efficiently bores through the ice to open new holes, or re-drill old holes with minimal resistance.
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Bestseller No. 5
Eskimo 35600 Pistol Bit 8" Ice Auger Drill Adaptive Ice Auger Weighs only 3.9 Pounds, Centering Point, Redrills Old Holes Easily Extremely Fast Cutting, 42",3-Year Warranty
  • CENTERING ICE POINT: The 8" Pistol Bit (#35600) features a centering point to help keep the bit in place when initializing the cut.
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  • HIGH-STRENGTH POLYMER CUTTING HEAD: Reliable performance in all conditions. Aggressive design cuts through ice quickly and smoothly.
  • REPLACEABLE STEEL BLADES: Dual flat steel blades offer smooth cutting and breakthrough. Can be replaced.

Bundle up!

You might think that you don’t need to bundle up as you’re fishing in the cold. However, this is not the case. Ice fishing can actually be a very dangerous activity and the cold weather can be just as much a threat as the ice. That’s why it’s very important to bundle up correctly and prepare for the worst. This will not only help you protect yourself from the cold, but also from the dangers of ice fishing. When choosing your ice fishing clothing, it’s best to go for a thick and warm material, as thinner fabrics will not keep you warm in freezing temperatures. You should also look for fabrics that are water-resistant or water-repellent. This will help protect you from the elements and keep you dry and warm as you fish on the ice.

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Bestseller No. 3
Ice Fisher Fisherman Winter Ice Fishing Throw Pillow
  • An ideal ice fishing gift for fishermen who loves drilling snow holes and ice fishing. If you love baiting fishes in the freezing winter then this is for you!
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Bestseller No. 4
Ice Fishing Snow Holes Ice Fisher Saying Throw Pillow
  • An ideal ice fishing gift for fishermen who loves drilling snow holes and ice fishing. If you love baiting fishes in the freezing winter then this is for you!
  • Ice fishing trip apparel with all the rods, tents, bait, gloves and other ice fishing accessories. Ice fishing shirt. Ice fishing clothing and fisherman gifts.
  • 100% spun-polyester fabric
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Bestseller No. 5
Ice Fishing Snow Holes Ice Fisher Saying Pullover Hoodie
  • An ideal ice fishing gift for fishermen who loves drilling snow holes and ice fishing. If you love baiting fishes in the freezing winter then this is for you!
  • Ice fishing trip apparel with all the rods, tents, bait, gloves and other ice fishing accessories. Ice fishing shirt. Ice fishing clothing and fisherman gifts.
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Ice fishing nets

An ice fishing net can be a very useful tool to have on hand. Ice fishing nets are designed to help you bring your catch up from the frozen depths without having to break the ice. These come in many different forms and styles, with some being more suitable for particular fishing styles and terrains than others. There are a few things you should consider when choosing an ice fishing net. The first is the size of the net. This is particularly important if you’re planning to fish in a large group with a variety of people of different ages. You don’t want to end up with a net that is too small for the intended user! Another thing to consider is the material of the net. Ice fishing nets are available in a few different materials. You can choose between metal and plastic ice fishing nets.

Bestseller No. 1
SAN LIKE Fishing Net Fish Landing Nets Ice Fishing Collapsible Telescopic Sturdy Pole Handle for Saltwater Freshwater Extending to 36/43/71/98inches (49inch-Black)
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Bestseller No. 2
PLUSINNO Floating Fishing Net for Steelhead, Salmon, Fly, Kayak, Catfish, Bass, Trout Fishing, Rubber Coated Landing Net for Easy Catch & Release, Compact & Foldable for Easy Transportation & Storage
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Bestseller No. 3
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SEASPRO Telescoping Aluminum Alloy Fishing Net - Adjustable Length and Rubber net (Red)
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Tips for safe ice fishing

– Be careful at the edge of the ice. The ice may look thick but there can be soft spots that you cannot see.

– Wear warm clothes and keep dry and warm. You don’t want to go into hypothermia as this can be fatal.

– Wear safety gear such as a life jacket and a helmet.

– Avoid driving on the ice. You never know how thick it might be and it can break at any moment.

– Don’t go alone. Always go with a buddy and let someone know where you are going.

– Take a first aid kit with you in case of an emergency.

– Stay away from gas-drilling rigs.

– Use a fish finder to locate your best fishing spots.

– Use an ice spud to test the thickness of the ice.

– Avoid going alone if you have no experience.

– Stay away from pressure ridges and cracks.

– Use an auger to test the thickness of the ice.

– Call for help if you get stuck in the ice.

– Remember to use caution and always be careful.

– Be prepared for the worst and hope for the best.

Conclusion

If you’ve never tried ice fishing before, now is the perfect time to go! It’s the perfect activity to do with friends, family, and loved ones, to enjoy the last weeks of winter and the first weeks of spring. Just make sure you know what you’re doing before you set off and take all the right precautions and gear!

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