Time to give it a shot

[EricD]

I've been fishing for decades, but never through the ice. Fleet farm had a good price in an auger. What else do I need? It seems like a stid question, I know, but i have no clue where to start. What should i not be on the ice without?

[Chill62]

This is a very hard question because once you have the luxuries it's hard to go back.

Things I wouldn't go on the ice without:

1. Auger

2. Ice Scoop

3. 2-3 Fishing rods

4. Depth Finder/Graph (Optional)

5. Bucket to sit on

6. Tackle (Jigs & Spoons)

7. Bait

After that it gets into more details like fish houses/heaters stuff like that. I have a portable and that's my only house so I may be different from the guys with an Ice Castle but I have a sled so I can put all my gear into and pull out onto the ice without any issues. Portables are nice for windy days or cold days but aren't always needed. When I bucket fish I have a tip up out for northerns/walleyes then jump around with the graph and look for panfish/walleyes depending on the spot.

[EricD]

Thanks! The depth finder may have to wait. I'll star out in front of my cabin. I know the contours pretty well. It all seems simple enough. Ice fishing always puzzled me. Going out on a 1000 acre lake and saying, "i think there might be a fish right under this eight inch round space" seems a bit far fetched. But, people seem to like it.

[leech~~]

Thanks! The depth finder may have to wait. I'll star out in front of my cabin. I know the contours pretty well. It all seems simple enough. Ice fishing always puzzled me. Going out on a 1000 acre lake and saying, "i think there might be a fish right under this eight inch round space" seems a bit far fetched. But, people seem to like it.

Eric, some people sit over an 8" inch hole all day. Others stay mobile and may fish over 20-50 8" inch holes over a weekend. Yes, keep moving to find fish. That is where a good lake map, auger and locator come into play.

[Stilly]

I started ice fishing 6 years ago, my family didn't ice fish so I learned how by watching TV shows and by talking to guys I met out on the ice. This is a great year to start ice fishing with the warmish weather and mostly snow free lakes. You can drive anywhere on most lakes in just about any vehicle, and with the cheap gas prices it won't break your bank to sit in your drivers seat with the engine and heater running while fishing. All you really need is a rod, a hook and some bait, also a way to cut a hole. For your first year or two I'd suggest driving out on a lake with a bunch of shanty's on it, set up in one of the ice villages, and talk to guys who you meet. I'm sure you will find that ice fishing brings out the best in guys, meaning its extremely social, you can set up 15 yards from another guy and be welcomed, not at all like open water where most get territorial.

[EricD]

The ice village thing is a good idea. Out where i am, I din't think I've seen more than three houses on 1000 acres. I'm looking forward to it. Another thing to keep the fear of winter at bay.