How Ice Fishing Works

With frigid temperatures and ice several inches thick, ice fishing requires more than a bucket, fishing rod and some bait. Before you embark on an ice fishing expedition, you'll need to bring along a few essentials like a shelter, stool or chair, sled, propane heater, flashlight and compass -- and that's just to help you get out on the ice, stay comfortable and find your way back home. You'll also need your basic fishing gear: a rod, line and reels, as well as bait, lures, buckets and your fishing license (most states won't let you fish without one). Fishing on the ice, however, requires additional gear. A spud bar is a hand tool used to check ice thickness. An auger is a screw-like device that cuts into the ice. A skimmer or scoop ladles slush out of the hole. And a gaff hook pulls fish through the small hole.

The hardiest ice fishermen will sit right out on the ice and wait for a catch. But for those who want a little -- or a lot of -- protection against the elements, several different types of shelters are available.

An ice fishing shelter looks a bit like a small tent. This portable structure has an aluminum frame covered in canvas, with zippered doors on both ends and clear vinyl windows. Some ice fishing shelters fold into a type of suitcase so that they can be easily carried to the lake. Though it isn't solid, an ice shelter can keep you -- and possibly a friend -- out of the wind.

An ice shanty is a small shelter made of wood or plastic. You can make it yourself or rent it from a sport fishing store. It measures about 6 feet by 6 feet, and is tall enough to stand in. Some shanties have a bench inside.

The most elaborate shelter is the ice fishing house, which you can either rent or tow on a trailer and lower down to the ice. Some are as big as 8 by 16 feet and can accommodate four or more people. This permanent structure has aluminum or wood siding, and comes equipped with many of the comforts of home -- propane heat, sleeping bunks, carpeting, lighting, a kitchen and bathrooms with a toilet and shower. The more souped-up models can cost as much as $30,000 U.S. These have luxurious accessories such as hardwood floors, cathedral ceilings and even satellite TV. The television can even be hooked up to an underwater camera to keep tabs on the fish's whereabouts.

During the winter months, lakes in the northern climates turn into frozen villages of ice fishing shelters, shanties and houses. But all of these shelters need to go back to land at the end of the winter; otherwise, they'll end up in the bottom of the lake during the spring thaw.

In the next section, we'll learn the basic steps of ice fishing.

You have your fishing license. You've stocked up on all the gear and trudged out to the edge of a frozen lake. Now what? The first thing to do is narrow down where the fish are congregating. If you see other fishermen who seem to be having success, you can head in their direction. But if the lake is empty, a map showing water depths or a depth finder can help you locate the best spots, depending on what types of fish you're looking to catch.

Once you've found a good spot, you'll need to make a hole. The hole should be 6 to 8 inches in diameter. Anything bigger and someone could fall in accidentally. You can drill through the ice with an auger or chip away at it with a spud bar. Once you have a hole, you can widen it with an ice chisel and keep it clear of any ice that accumulates during the day with a skimmer.

Just as you would on any fishing expedition, you'll need a pole with a reel, line and bobber (a small float with bait attached that goes on the end of the line). The ice fishing pole is shorter than one you'd use during the summer because you can't cast into a small hole.

There are two basic types of ice fishing poles:

To catch a fish, you need bait. Small fish (like minnows, chubs and shiners) make good lures, as do wax worms, fly larvae, grubs, meat (such as raw beef or fish) and artificial lures. They type of fish you catch varies from lake to lake, but panfish (like bluegill, crappie, yellow perch and sunfish), northern pike, walleye and lake trout are all common.

The nice thing about fishing in the winter is that you don't have to worry about your catch spoiling. You can just leave it on the ice until you're ready to cook it or head home.

But what if you fall though the ice? Find out about the dangers of ice fishing in the next section.

Ice fishing isn't all fun and satellite TV. It can be dangerous if you don't do it right. If the ice is too thin, you or your vehicle can fall in. Other risks include carbon monoxide poisoning from improperly used heaters and frostbite from exposure to the cold and wind. (For more information on cold survival, click here).

When ice fishing, you should dress in layers. Not only will the layers trap heat, but you can remove one piece at a time if you get warm. Start with a bottom layer made from a material that will keep you dry, such as polypropylene. Add a heavy shirt, pants, and socks. Top them with a wool or fleece sweater. Make sure to cover your extremities, which are the first to get frostbite. Wear lined mittens and a wool hat that covers your ears. And don't forget your waterproof boots (which should be roomy enough to fit an extra pair of socks) and creepers -- spiked shoes that help keep you upright on the ice.

Before you head out, check the ice with an auger, measuring tape or stick. The ice should be at least 3 to 6 inches thick to walk on, at least 7 inches thick to drive on with a car and 10 inches thick to drive on with a truck. As you walk onto the ice, make test holes with an auger or spud at regular intervals to make sure it hasn't thinned out. Avoid areas of cracked ice, and listen for loud booms or cracks, which could indicate that the ice is shifting dangerously. Never fish alone, and bring along a rope, blankets and a first-aid kit in case anyone falls in.