The challenge of ice fishing on the many frozen waterways and lakes is just the perfect environment to enjoy the winter weather for many fishermen. Winter doesn't mean a stop in their fishing action.
Ice fishing offers several advantages to summer fishing although many people don't realize all the benefits in choosing off-season fishing.
Winter Wonderland
Ice fishing can be done in the open on a clear or sunny day or with the use of an ice fishing shanty,tent, or house, many which are easy to construct out on the ice and very portable. Even on very cold days, a portable heater can be used to keep the temperature inside of an ice fishing tent or shanty comfortable, which is one of the benefits to using them.
On a clear winter day when the wind is calm there is nothing quite as relaxing as finding a nice, clear, open piece of ice, drilling a hole and setting up your chair to sit back, enjoy the scenery and catch some fish.
There is usually less competition for the best places to fish on the lake as well as a better chance of getting your limit since ice fishing tends to be less popular than traditional summer fishing. The simplest method for fishing out on the lake is line fishing, which uses a jigging rod and reel and a set of lures or bait rather than a casting or fly type set-up.
It is a great family activity since ice fishing is less equipment intensive than some of the other types of fishing and safe for the kids. There is also a special kind of rod and reel holder known as a tip-up. This handy device both keeps your line in the water as well as has a flag at the end so that it is easy to see the fish hitting on the lure at the bottom of the line.
Most tip-ups have various setting for either strong biters or nibbles, providing easy warning for winter anglers wearing thick gloves that may tend to decrease the vibrations normally felt on the line in warm weather fishing.
As fish move away from the colder surface waters down to the deep areas of the lake where smaller fish and food are more likely to gather you will find that winter fishing requires greater line depth.
Finally ice fishing tends to be a more social event than traditional fishing, with ice fishermen often gathering in one area, sharing tents and shanties or even setting up impromptu ice fishing competitions.
There are some areas that host ice fishing tournament which make for a great day of outdoor winter fun.
Ice fishing offers several advantages to summer fishing although many people don't realize all the benefits in choosing off-season fishing.
Winter Wonderland
Ice fishing can be done in the open on a clear or sunny day or with the use of an ice fishing shanty,tent, or house, many which are easy to construct out on the ice and very portable. Even on very cold days, a portable heater can be used to keep the temperature inside of an ice fishing tent or shanty comfortable, which is one of the benefits to using them.
On a clear winter day when the wind is calm there is nothing quite as relaxing as finding a nice, clear, open piece of ice, drilling a hole and setting up your chair to sit back, enjoy the scenery and catch some fish.
There is usually less competition for the best places to fish on the lake as well as a better chance of getting your limit since ice fishing tends to be less popular than traditional summer fishing. The simplest method for fishing out on the lake is line fishing, which uses a jigging rod and reel and a set of lures or bait rather than a casting or fly type set-up.
It is a great family activity since ice fishing is less equipment intensive than some of the other types of fishing and safe for the kids. There is also a special kind of rod and reel holder known as a tip-up. This handy device both keeps your line in the water as well as has a flag at the end so that it is easy to see the fish hitting on the lure at the bottom of the line.
Most tip-ups have various setting for either strong biters or nibbles, providing easy warning for winter anglers wearing thick gloves that may tend to decrease the vibrations normally felt on the line in warm weather fishing.
As fish move away from the colder surface waters down to the deep areas of the lake where smaller fish and food are more likely to gather you will find that winter fishing requires greater line depth.
Finally ice fishing tends to be a more social event than traditional fishing, with ice fishermen often gathering in one area, sharing tents and shanties or even setting up impromptu ice fishing competitions.
There are some areas that host ice fishing tournament which make for a great day of outdoor winter fun.