With the holidays behind us, it’s easy to think that the best part of the winter is behind us, too. However, ask any ice angler and they will tell you that the most wonderful time of year is just getting started. The colder temperatures are bringing open water fishing to a close and ushering in the start of a fantastic ice fishing season on waters in the North. To ensure that you get the most out of this year’s colder winter temperatures, here are five ice fishing tips on how to score big this winter. 

Ice Fishing Tips

1. Safety

No fish is worth the risk of frostbite or hypothermia (or worse), common hazards anytime ice and freezing temperatures make up your environment. Here are a few steps you can take to ensure proper and safe ice fishing this season: 

• Keep your phone in a secured and air-locked bag at all times (a plastic bag will do). 
• Frabill, which makes ice fishing gear, recommends a good float suit for any ice angler who wishes to stay warm when not fishing from a shanty and to stay above water should a breakthrough in the ice occur. 
• Have a pair of rescue claws or ice picks on you at all times. Frabill offers a wide variety of ice suits and each one comes with its own set of ice picks. 
• Always test the thickness of ice before proceeding farther out and check regularly as you go. A minimum of 4 inches of clear, solid ice is a requirement to safely support an average person’s weight, according to takemefishing.org. Many states where ice fishing is common offer guidelines as well. Be familiar with the guidelines for the state or local area you are fishing. 
• Just because you see another angler on the ice does not mean that the ice is safe to fish on. Test the safety of the ice personally rather than groupthink, and never fish alone should you find yourself in trouble. 

2. Be Observant

The greatest tool you have is not your rod, but your mind. Analyze the ice and the other fisherman of the day and move from there. For instance, if a majority of ice anglers are drilling holes in a shallow area where success has been high earlier, then move to a deeper part of the water.

---

SUBSCRIBE TO THE iSPORTSMANUSA NEWSLETTER FOR MORE STORIES LIKE THIS

---

The reason for this is that fish migration patterns eventually stray away from dangerous areas, so to out-think them, move to where you think they are being pushed. On the flipside, if more anglers are putting pressure on the deeper areas, then go ahead and try shallower waters. 

“Be strategic when picking your locations and plan for the entire day of fishing. I may start my day in ten to fifteen feet foot of water in the morning, but I like to have deeper water (thirty feet) close by. I’m staying mobile, but it will only take me a few minutes to get back to my other spots for when the conditions are right.” says Dale Stroschein, a Freshwater Hall of Fame Angler. 

3. Experiment

Ice fishing is many things, but fast-paced is not one of them. Chances are, you will have plenty of time to think of new tactics that might work while “chilling” on the ice. Don’t be afraid to try something out of the ordinary. Consider switching the weight of your reel or not using your fancy graphing technology for a couple of hours.

Perhaps try out nightcrawlers if you usually use shiners. If nothing is biting, then try changing the sizes of bait. Anything can happen in the fishing world and ice fishing is no exception. Every angler’s style is different, and while you might not find immediate success while experimenting, you just might find a style that makes ice fishing more enjoyable. 

4. The Right Rod and Line

Keep in mind, the most expensive rod in the world is rendered obsolete if used inappropriately. Knowing the proper rod action and line weight for the species of fish you are going for is more valuable than any piece of equipment. This is true for all fishing. The most seasoned of anglers know that the most common mistake an ice fisher can make is to go too heavy on the action.

One cannot understate the importance of pairing the proper rod action and line weight to the targeted species. For example, if you are going after walleye, a medium action rod with a 6- to 8-pound line is right where you want to be.

Then if you are not having much success, try switching down to a medium-light action and a lighter line, rather than going up. In colder waters, the fish tend to be more sluggish and because of that, don’t hit bait as hard as they would in warmer water, thus making lighter weights, actions and lines more ideal for scoring on fish.

It’s super easy to figure out the local species of fish in an area by doing a little research if you’re not already familiar. Feel free to ask other anglers or those working in local bait shops what’s biting on that day. Most will be quite helpful. 

5. Remain Nimble

This is quite possibly the most overlooked quality of a good ice angler. Mobility is key when trying to out-think the fish. Drops in temperature, changes in the amount of light and weather conditions are all things that affect the ideal location for ice fishing.

Be ready to move to adjust to these factors, as well as the fish migration patterns, we mentioned earlier. Having reliable equipment (light-weight mobile shelters, boots with tractions, rod case) are all ways to ensure that you are always—quite literally—a few steps ahead of the fish. 

For more ice fishing information and gear, check out frabill.com. 

Read more ice fishing and other stories on iSportsmanUSA.