5 Best Ice Fishing Tips For Catching More Fish In Winter

Ice fishing is a great way to stay active during the winter while also enjoying your favorite sport. However, the activity is not without its difficulties. To stay on top of the game, you must prepare thoroughly for the season. 

Here, I’ll give you the best ice fishing tips to help you prepare and increase your chances of success.

5 Best Ice Fishing Tips 

1. Stay mobile

Ice fishing necessitates drilling holes, preferably with an ice auger. Do not simply drill one and wait all day for a bite, even if there is none. If you’re not having much luck, try changing locations and drilling to increase your chances of landing a catch. Sometimes an active school of fish is only a few meters away, and all you have to do is move.

2. Use a fish finder

When ice fishing, you’re looking for a catch vertically; it could be just beneath the ice or at the bottom of the water. However, in order to succeed, you must keep things moving in order to experiment with different depths. This can be a stressful situation, and you may end up going home empty-handed. Using an ice fishing fish finder or ice flasher makes angling more enjoyable and increases your chances of success.

Once you’ve drilled your first hole, keep your fish finder locked on the best angling depth, and rig in your catch once movement is detected.

3. Keep moving your jig

Unlike open water fishing, where you can drop your lure or bait and wait for a bite, ice fishing requires you to exert some effort. In the colder months, fish are slower and less aggressive, making it difficult to detect your jig for a bite. As a result, keeping your lure or jig moving will help. This causes vibration and movement in the water, attracting nearby fish to your fishing spot.

Aside from moving your jig, it is best to rig up several rods with various items. This is useful when targeting different species or looking for an active catch. Alternatively, you can also opt for ice fishing with tip ups, which will allow you to cover more ground. 

4. Travel Light

Pack as little as possible when going ice fishing. Avoid unnecessary equipment that will make it difficult for you to move around. The simpler and lighter you travel, the easier it is to change areas to increase your ice fishing success. Remember that the trick is to cover more ice and area, which is possible if you are not carrying heavy tools.

5. Stay safe

Your safety should be the number one priority when ice fishing. Anything can happen when you are out there, but taking the following precautions help you stay safe:

Tag a friend

When going ice fishing, always tag someone. In the event of an accident or hypothermia, a friend can assist you. Such situations necessitate immediate assistance, and without a friend, you may perish. A friend also provides you with a sense of security, allowing you to concentrate on the fish and call for assistance if anything goes wrong. If your friend doesn’t have the equipment you can consider getting a spare used fishing tackle, which will always come in handy.

Keep someone informed about your fishing plans  

Whether it is your loved one, friend, or neighbor, it is best to keep someone informed about your ice fishing plans. Share the name of your fishing point, the exact location (i.e., south shore, north shore, etc.), and the day and time you intend to arrive home. If you decide to stay out longer, notify them immediately. If you fail to show up without notice, they can always inform the authorities for help.

Be open and social with the locals and other anglers

Locals have the upper hand on pertinent information about your fishing location. They can guide you on water movement, ice fishing, and other necessary information, such as good angling spots. The best way to get the info is to be open and social with them. Also, interact with other anglers to make your moments in the ice memorable and make angling a little easier. 

Always carry a throw rope, floatation suit, life jacket, first aid kit, ice rescue picks, a cell phone, and a power bank

All these gears are for your safety. A throw rope helps your friend pull you to safety in case of accidents. You can also use it to help other anglers.

If you fall through the ice, a floatation suit will help you stay warm and escape the frigid waters easily while ice rescue picks help you climb out.

A cell phone is useful in making emergency calls for help. But, it might not save the day if it is out of power as they tend to quickly drain a battery in the cold. A power bank will come in handy in such a situation. 

Check on the ice thickness before you take a step

Ice thickness varies from one point to another and can change very fast. It would be best to follow ice thickness guidelines; stay off if the ice is 2 inches or less, carry on with activities on foot only if the ice is 4 inches thick or more, at least 12 inches in a small pickup or car, and 15 inches for medium trucks. Also, inspect the points of weakness, such as broken, wavy, or discolored patches, before taking a step. 

Leave your fishing location before dark

You can easily become disoriented in the dark, and it is much worse when you are out in the cold. It might be difficult to find your way out as there might be no familiar visuals in the ice lakes. The best is to leave before dark unless you have a navigation device and are assured of your safety.

Ensure your ice shanty is well ventilated

Ice shanties are necessary, but heated ones can expose you to carbon monoxide if not well ventilated. So, make sure your shelter is well ventilated to avoid such risks.

Key Insights & Takeaway

Ice fishing is a fun and inexpensive way to get away from the hustle-and-bustle of city life and enjoy the cooling winter temperatures. Whether you are an experienced ice angler or just getting into the hobby, following these simple guidelines will help make your next trip safe, more enjoyable, and more successful.