Great Winter Fun!
Let's Go!
Are you ready to try ice fishing? Great! Ice fishing can add many months to your enjoyment of Idaho's lakes and reservoirs. It is also a wonderful way to enjoy the great outdoors during a beautiful time of year. All you need to get started is warm clothes and a minimum amount of special equipment and you're ready to go. Need a little more help to get started? Well, here are some hints to get you on your way.
The most common species sought while ice fishing are perch and trout. Bluegill and crappie are also willing takers under the ice. Size and bag limits are the same year-round, so simply follow the regulations for the body of water you are fishing. One regulation specific to ice fishing is that you may fish with as many as five (5) lines at one time. However, if the fish are biting well, you will find two are plenty to keep you busy.
Anglers should note that if fishing with the two pole permit you are still limited to no more than 5 lines altogether.
Safety
| Inches of Ice: |
Safe Load |
| 1-2 |
Not safe! |
| 3 |
group use - spread out |
| 4 |
General use |
| 5 |
Snowmobiles |
| 7-8 |
Car ( 2 ton gross ) |
| 8 |
Light truck ( 2 ½ ton gross ) |
| 10 |
Medium Truck ( 3 ½ ton gross ) |
Is ice thick enough to support you and your companion(s)? Three to four inches of clear solid ice will support a person. However, if you are planning to venture out on a snow machine or an ATV, you will need to have at least five inches of ice. Remember, ice conditions will vary with weather conditions, so be sure to take a long your common sense. Drilling a test hole before venturing far out is the best way to check the conditions of the ice.
Are you properly dressed? As with most outdoor activities, dressing in layers is most effective. Heavy soled-boots, insulated overalls or wool pants, woolen cap and good mittens or gloves are a must.
Equipment
Fishing through the ice calls for some special equipment. First of all, you will need an ice auger. The hand-held type (shown far left) is efficient and relatively inexpensive. A moderately-priced one will last for many years, but keep the blades sharp.
A slotted laddle, such the one shown will help to keep your fishing hole free of ice.
You may wish to purchase an ice-fishing tip-up at your sporting goods store, or one of the short jigging rods illustrated below.
As you might well imagine, an old rod tip (about two feet long), with a handle attached and a simple device to hold the line, will work just as well.
As always, tackle and bait are determined by personal preference; but for a starter, a tackle kit might consist of some Swedish Pimples, glow hooks, jigs or ice flies. They generally work best tipped with some type of bait such as maggots, perch eyes, worms or cut bait.
Finally, a large bucket is great for carrying equipment to the fishing site and back, and can also serve as a seat while tending rods. A sled will make the trek easier if you have more gear.
Technique
Once you locate the site you wish to fish, use your auger to drill a hole through the ice. Keep your ice holes to less than 10". This is for the safety of the other anglers who might step into or fall through holes that have only just skimmed over with ice.
Set up your rods with the chosen tackle, then begin looking for the fish. You may need to try fishing at different levels. Generally, perch like deep water, 10 to 40 feet, and can be found close to the bottom, while trout will often be found a bit further up off the bottom.
A clip-on sinker is handy for determining water depth and adjusting the depth of your lure. Jigging is an effective ice fishing technique. To jig, slowly bring the rig up about one foot then allow it to settle back down, repeat.
The movement of the bait attracts the fishes' attention. Some anglers prefer to just set the lines and watch for the strike. Perch, bluegill, and crappie are often delicate biters under the ice and small hooks, small bobbers, and a delicate touch are often required.
If after several attempts there are no strikes, you may wish to move and try your luck in another location. Perch, especially, are a schooling fish and once they are found the action will be fast.
You are sure to enjoy this new sport and the fresh fish in midwinter as well.
Happy Fishing!