Ice fishing a fun outdoor activity during the winter months

As the temperature outside falls into single digits, anglers who do their fishing when water is frozen are just getting warmed up. Ice fishing is a seasonal favorite that gives enthusiasts a chance to continue casting their rods, even if it looks a little different, and reel in “the big one” even when it isn’t sunny and warm.

“Ice fishing is a great way to get outdoors through the winter months,” Jasper County Naturalist Greg Oldsen said. “One main attraction that many ice anglers share is the ability to access areas of a pond or lake on foot. Those without a boat/canoe/kayak during the open water season are limited to fishing from the bank, but during ice season you can explore as much of the water body as your feet will allow.”

Like most outdoor activities there are safety protocols to follow and ice fishing has several important ones, including all of the same rules and regulations set for open water fishing. According to Oldsen, four inches of clear ice is the minimum depth recommended for foot traffic on the bodies of water. For those looking to use motor vehicles such as snowmobiles and four wheelers, five to seven inches is considered safe, and seven to nine inches is needed for side-by-sides.

“Ice conditions can vary drastically throughout a water body so it is important to check ice thickness as you move throughout the day,” Oldsen said. “When we start getting into late season ice, thawing and refreezing can impact the holding capacity of ice. Four inches of cloudy/honeycombed ice is not as safe as fresh clear ice so, again, check as you go.”

Finding a spot to fish can depend on how much work a person wants to do. Oldsen said both ponds and lakes can produce quality fish but a benefit of ponds is the smaller amount of water a person has to cover to find the fish. That means there is more time to fish and hopefully more luck bringing them in.

Once a location is found, the next big step is to drill a hole in the ice. There are a couple of ways to do it depending on how much of a workout a person wants to get before they even start fishing.

“Hand augers are the cheapest but the most work, so many anglers have opted for either a gas/propane auger or an auger that can be attached to a cordless drill,” Oldsen said. “For those on a really tight budget, you could get away with a hatchet or spud bar (long handled chisel) to chop a hole in the ice.”

The gear used to do the actual fishing is also slightly different from its warm weather counterpart. The biggest difference is the size of the gear, Oldsen said. Most ice fishing rodes are 24″ to 36″ long and rigged with a two to six pound test fishing line.

“Many anglers also downside their tackle, opting for tiny jigs that mimic macroinvertebrates which many fish eat throughout the winter,” Oldsen said. “The bait of choice for many ice anglers are wax worms while others may use minnows.”

When driving past a pond, oftentimes pop-up tents can be found dotting the ice. Further north where the ice sticks around for most of winter, semi-permanent structures can be erected to help ice fishers stay warm. While the protection can be beneficial when it is windy or extra cold, it isn’t necessary to have a good time.

“I have spent many days on the ice sitting on a five-gallon bucket and had a wonderful time,” Oldsen said. “When we start having days in the teens and any sort of wind it is sure nice to have a shack to get in and warm up.”

In Jasper County, Oldsen suggested a couple of lakes that are not only popular but have recently been filled with fish. Jacob Krumm Lake and Mariposa Lake both make great spots to drill a hole and start fishing, with Mariposa Lake having been restocked about five years ago with the bluegill being “quite plentiful” right now.

For anyone looking to take up ice fishing as a hobby, Oldsen has a few tips to help make it a successful day on the frozen water.

“For someone looking to get into ice fishing I would suggest asking around and find someone with some experience to take them out,” Olsen said. “It is always a good idea to go with at least one other person in case something were to happen.”

He also recommends investing in ice cleats, ice picks and a spud bar to keep safe on the ice. Ice cleats come in handy if there is a little snow cover on the ice making it can becoming quite slick. Ice picks are used to assist a person who has fallen through the ice into the water. He said they often have a rope tied to them and can be worn around the neck for easy access in an emergency. The spud bar is an essential tool to check ice thickness when exploring a pond/lake. The spud bar can be used to hit the ice in front while walking to check for thin spots. Two hard blows to the ice without going through means the ice is thick enough for foot traffic.

Ice fishing can be a rewarding hobby and help itch the scratch often felt by anglers when the weather no longer favors open water fishing. Making sure preparations are made to have a safe outing will lead to a great day on the ice and hopefully a bucket full of fish.

“There are several reasons why I love ice fishing,” Oldsen said. “Being able to get out through the winter months and enjoy my favorite hobby is one reason. I also love catching fish on short rods and light line. There is something very rewarding about catching fish on light gear and short rods. Last but not least is cooking on the ice. For some reason a hot meal just tastes so much better when you’re standing on frozen lake.”