Ice fishing 101
With the lake frozen over the only real option available to anglers, besides playing fishing games or going to Florida fishing, is to go ice fishing. But if you've never been ice fishing before, there are few things you need to learn. Here is a crash course is ice fishing 101.
The first thing that must be considered is the thickness of the ice. This is a crash course, not a splash course. Ice should be at lest 6 inches think before you go out on it. Some may say that 4 inches is fine, but it is always better to err on the safe side.
The next thing to contemplate is drilling the hole. This can be done with a hand auger if the ice is thin or a power auger if the ice is thick. Be sure to check your local fishing regulations to see how large a hole you can drill in the ice.
Different counties and districts may permit different holes.
When the hole is complete you need a big ladle with big holes in it to strain out the ice chunks. Keeping your hole clear is important when your line freezes into the ice and you’re trying to bring a fish up through the hole.
The next thing you will need is a rod and reel. An ice fishing rod is short, very short, like a child’s fishing rod. In fact, a child fishing rod and reel will work very nicely for ice fishing.
Now you need a hook and bait. If you're bass fishing, use#4 hook: if trout fishing use#10 hook. Put the hook on the bottom of your line and a sinker about 10 inches above the hook. If you’re bass fishing put a worm on the hook. If you're trout fishing, put a salmon egg or two on the hook. Then drop it into the water and let it settle to the bottom. Now set back in a lawn chair and wait for your fish.