Ice Fishing in the Wisconsin Winter
It's late December... temperatures are racing towards 0 degrees. Ice is covering most of the lakes in Wisconsin and getting thick on the lakes in the Northern half of the state.
This is the time of the year when the die-hards come out to take on the bitter cold to do what they love... fish!
But ice fishing doesn't have to be just for those fishing fanatics. If you usually put fishing into the back of your mind during the cold winter, you might want to think about reaching back and pulling it to the front a few months early. Ice fishing is definitely different than fishing in the middle of a muggy Wisconsin summer, but it may be more fun than you might be thinking it is.
Ice fishing isn't just about staring down into a dark hole in the middle of a big cold lake freezing your butt off... if you put your line in the water and do nothing but sit and stare at the hole and never get a bite, that could end up being a long boring day, but you can make it fun (but if the fish are active and biting, then it will be fun regardless!)...
Go with friends! Unless you need some "alone time," ice fishing with friends or family always makes for a better experience. Since ice fishing is more of a waiting game than fast-action summer fishing is, if you don't have somebody to talk to, you might start talking to yourself! If you do go along, at least bring a radio.
Got snowmobiles or ATVs? Do you know somebody who does? Take them out on the lake with you. Set your tip-ups up, and then go for a ride around the lake... as long as you don't get to far away from your tip-ups, you may be able to do a little exploring or have a little fun while your waiting for that 8 pound walleye to take your bait.
Don't forget that hot chocolate or coffee! If it's cold, nothing helps keep you warm like a hot drink... and to me, no other hot drink beats hot chocolate. Soup is always good too... and if you plan on making a lunch on the lake from all the fish your catching, be sure to bring cooking supplies, including something to actually cook the fish with.
If you're going with friends, bring something to toss around... a football, frisbee, hacky-sack, whatever... just don't kill yourself diving for a catch on the ice! These things will at least keep you busy while you wait for that tip-up flag to spring up.
Just remember, to make sure that you stay close enough to the tip-ups at all times so that you can respond within a reasonable time of the flag going up.
So, if you've always stuck to summer fishing and never wanted to venture out fishing during the winter months, you ought to give it a try this winter... you might just find out what a great rewarding experience it can be...
And just remember, unlike Wisconsin's muggy summers, there are absolutely no bugs biting you while you are ice fishing, so you can keep that mosquito spray at home!
---Scott Pinkert runs a great Wisconsin fishing resource site called Go Wisconsin Fishing. The website is an excellent resource for everything you want or need to know about fishing in Wisconsin. You can check out the site by visiting http://www.go-wisconsin-fishing.com. For more articles like this, sign up for his monthly newsletter at http://www.go-wisconsin-fishing.com/newsletter.html---
MORE RESOURCES:
|
Picture Japan: Fishing TackleWall Street Journal (blog)A Chinese fishing boat, pictured above, was seized by Japan Coast Guard officials near a disputed island early Wednesday after an incident at sea in which ... |
Google News
 |
|
|
RELATED ARTICLES
A Guide to Non-Typical Catfish Fishing Techniques Part III
Method 2The second method that works really well for me is drift fishing. Lets start by explaining how drifting works.
Fly Fishing Small Streams
Picture this; you've spent some time hiking into a small stream inthe back country. It's early morning, mist is rising and the midgesthat have been swarming around you are breakfast for the small brownsyou have come to catch.
North to Alaska
For many fishermen Alaska is the ultimate "mecca" of fishing. Early childhood dreams of Salmon choked rivers and Bears of every shape and size basking in the sun, their bellys full of fish- and the occasional "slow" fisherman- help to fuel the vision that is Alaska.
Trout Species - Cutthroat Trout and Golden Trout
Cutthroat Trout: Cutthroat Trout are generally found only in highalpine lakes or in some selected areas of the Pacific Northwest.The Cutthroat Trout is the original trout of the Rocky Mountains.
Do You Know How To Clean A Fish?
Now that you have caught your dream fish, do you know how to clean?
Good job. You must be so proud of yourself.
Bass Fishing In The Winter In The North
The next few days in Ohio are supposed to be in the 50's, so, guess what I plan on doing if the lakes thaw out? Yep, go fishing for bass.As you know the bass are not going to spend a lot of energy going after your bait, so offer them something a little larger than usual.
From Personal Belly Boats to High Performance Racers - An Overview of Inflatable Boats
Inflatable boats, also called rubber boats or dinghies, have been around in one form or another for thousands of years. They now come in many different sizes and models and include inflatable kayaks, sport boats, and inflatable catamarans.
Get Ready For Bed....Bedding Bass That Is!
It's getting near the time bass will be on their beds. Not just any bass, but trophy size bass in Ohio.
A Technique To Catch Trophy Size Bass
There is a craze going on that produces big bass, it's called flippin.Flippin puts the lure where the big bass are.
Spinnerbait Fishing Tactics for Spotted Bay Bass
Like most fishermen my age I originally learned about spinnerbait fishing for largemouth bass with my Dad. My class room was the back of an aluminum rental boat drifting the brush flats and rocky points of Irvine Lake in Orange County and Lake Cachuma in Santa Barbara, CA.
Cincinnati Catfishing Bait
Some of the baits I have used for used for CATFISHing here on the Ohio River are, chicken liver, minnows, shrimp, Spam, French Fries and more.Fresh chicken liver works better than frozen liver that has thawed out.
Breeding Crayfish
In the text below I shall try to give a short overview of some of the basics when breeding crayfish. Particular species may have other behaviours and demands.
Concentrate on Your Bass Fishing
I was watching a TV Show with Bill Dance and he was talking about concentration. I thought well this is going to be a boring show but of course, it wasn't.
Night Fishing Preparation
I have to admit this subject bores me to tears. Amazingly, the simple fact is that every time I interviewed a fisherman about night fishing tips he mentioned preparation at the top of the list.
Saltwater Fly Fishing -- A Tide Runs Through It
Saltwater fly fishing is all the rage these days. This excitement is quite understandable because there's hardly anything more thrilling to a saltwater fly rodder than a bluefish blitz, a tailing red drum off the coast of NC, or a bonefish battle on the flats of south Florida waters.
Brook Trout, One of Canadas Most Loved Trout
Brook trout are one of the most popular game fish in Canada. These fish can be found in the northern most parts of North America.
Tarpon Fishing and Catching The Elusive Silver King - Megalops Atlanticus
If you have ever had the priviledge of hooking up on a big tarpon then you know the exhilaration and thrill of testing yourself in battle against one of the most sought after gamefish in the world. This distinction is easy to see at first glance as the tarpon starts a series of spectacular acrobatic leaps in the air that will have your heart pounding, your rod bending and your drag screaming.
Choosing Steelhead Gear
Steelhead GearLike many things in fly fishing you can ask 10 different fly anglers a single question and you'll get 10 different answers. Asking what steelhead rod one should use for fly fishing is no different.
Fishing Fall Bass - Early Fall Fishing for Bass in the Northwest as the Seasons Change
You have just rolled out of bed, poured you coffee and there it is. You knew it was coming, but it is real, it is here.
Cutthroat Trout and Cutthroat Trout Fishing
Experienced fishermen know all about the cutthroat trout. That is because it is a huge gaming fish and it is difficult to catch.
|
