It’s cold outside. You’re stuck inside. You’re fishing gear is calling your name, but what are you supposed to do?
Well, good news! You can enjoy fishing year round!
If the conditions are safe, go ice fishing!
If you’re new to ice fishing here are some tips to know before you head out !
Check ice thickness and clarity.
Use a spud bar to test the ice thickness as you walk out onto the ice or drill a test hole before venturing out very far on the ice.
Generally, clear ice is the strongest while white ice is the weakest. Also, stay off ice that is 34 inches or less in thickness.
Five inches of ice can support two anglers, six inches of ice can support ice boating and over eight inches can support group activities.
Stay away from structures.
Manmade structures, logs, stumps and rocks absorb sunlight and emit heat and that weakens the ice around those structures.
Wear ice picks.
Ice picks are handheld spikes you can use to pull yourself out of the water if break through the ice. Without them, it is nearly impossible to gain traction with your hands. The picks are linked by a rope and worn around your neck for quick access, if needed.
Dress properly.
Wear warm, waterproof footwear with ice cleats, dress in warm layers, and wear a U.S. Coast Guard-approved life jacket or float coat.
Build an ice fishing starter kit.
In addition to safety equipment, here are some items you will need for ice fishing:
- Ice auger, manual or powered, to drill a hole in the ice for jigging or setting up a tip-up.
- Ice fishing rod rigged with 2-pound or 3-pound-test line, which is lightweight and hard for fish to see.
- Tungsten jigs – They sink to the bottom faster and detect the faintest bites from fish.
- Bait – Match what the fish are eating by choosing plastic lures resembling bloodworms or small insects.
- A sturdy 5-gallon bucket – Great for holding your catches and also providing a seat while fishing!
Watch our video below to learn more about ice fishing equipment.
Don’t go ice fishing alone.
It’s always best to fish with a friend. A buddy can save your life in an emergency and help you get warm and dry after falling in.
Also, when you fish with a friend you always have someone to take a picture of you with your catch!
Your fishing license dollars at work.
Funds from fishing license sales help the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission protect and improve water quality and protect and manage reptiles, amphibians and other aquatic life. The agency works to ensure aquatic resources remain protected and water quality supports aquatic life; tracks endangered, threatened and rare animals under the PFBC’s jurisdiction; and manages species restoration efforts and habitat protections and improvement.
Adapted from “Tips for First Time Ice Anglers” by Marilyn Black in Pennsylvania Angler & Boater Magazine.
