need to learn

[beenfishin?]

Moving to Lovell WY. Will need to learn how to ice fish. I have been looking at the posts here and will undoubtedly have lots of questions later on. Any info on beginner equipment would be appreciated.

[GCD]

You prolly wouldn't think a redneck from Alabama goes ice fishin', but my wife is from Canada and we go to visit her folks over the Christmas holidays sometimes and I always hit the ice if it's safe.

A 6" manual auger will get you started to see if you like ice fishing. A 6" will bore faster and take less effort than an 8". You can pull a pretty good sized fish through a 6" hole, it may surprise you.

The tackle shops up there will have all the equipment you need, but you can look at some stuff on Cabelas and BassPros web sites too.

The most important thing will be warm boots, clothes, and gloves for your comfort on the ice. If you're freezing to death out there on the ice, ice fishin' isn't that much fun. Stay away from cotton under layers, wool and polypropolene are much warmer because they wick the moisture away from your skin.

It's a different world up north in the winter than it is here in the south and the have a different kind of cold... it's a freezinass cold!

[crappiedoc]

If nothing else, spend the money on a good pair of boots. They're in contact
with the cold direct. I've taken many guys with this same info and you'de be
surprised, end up putting them on the floormats outta the ride.

[ready2fish]

Moving to Lovell WY. Will need to learn how to ice fish. I have been looking at the posts here and will undoubtedly have lots of questions later on. Any info on beginner equipment would be appreciated.

For most the sound of ice fishing is crazy and you have to be nuts, lol

Will i be hitting hard water since i was a kid , its one of those things you love it or you sit and wait for spring fishing, i don't think i missed a single weekend last year.

Ice fishing can be cheap but as all ready mentioned get some good boots and they will keep your feet warm for many years i even use mine in the spring on cool days while out in the boat. I would look for some local ice fishing sites in the state your going to that way they can also give you tips on what lakes to try. Another thing i would highly recommend is a fish finder.

[GCD]

Ice Shanty.com has a Wy. state board that looks like it gets a fair amount of traffic. You have to register to see pics and stuff.

Ice Fishing Wyoming - Ice Fishing IceShanty.com

[flip]

Ice Shanty.com has a Wy. state board that looks like it gets a fair amount of traffic. You have to register to see pics and stuff.

Ice Fishing Wyoming - Ice Fishing IceShanty.com

iceshanty.com is the way to go. I live in northern Missouri where we get ice. I took up ice fishing a few years back and knew nothing about it. I now catch alot of fish and it was all learned on iceshanty. Good bunch of people and they are always willing to help.

[pgottshall]

I absolutely concur. Iceshanty.com

I get a kick out of the guys on there. Like all the discussions about keeping a hole open in cold weather. My "solution" was to pour a quart of 10W40 in and light it. I will burn for hours - problem solved.

Then I got all the comments about fishing line burning, etc.....

I WAS KIDDING! IT WAS A JOKE! LIGHTEN UP!!!

I love it!!

[pgottshall]

a few additional thoughts -

My best tools include:
Gotta' have:
* a board / styrofoam to put your feet on, keeping them off the ice.
* good boots, coveralls, a facemask, and a hat for my hairless head.
* ice picks (I fell through once, in 4ft fortunately, but it's tought getting out).
* a spud (heavy rod for hitting ice to make sure it's solid).
* a throw-rope.
* spring-thingies to put on your feet so you can walk on the ice & pull the sled.
* UUUL rod - some have a spring at the end to show bites - you'll never feel them. My favorits is about $10 at Gander Mtn, plus a decent reel.
* As CGD said, a 6in auger.
* spikes (maggots) for bait - tip every jig. Literally 10X as good as wax-worms.

You'll want soon:
* a good flasher - I have three color Vexilar, but used a $5 garage-sale humminbird one-color for a couple years. I caught fish.
* a small sled / tent.
* a lantern will keep you warm enough in a small tent.
* a little bigger heater that you can lay back & boil water on.
* a gallon of fresh water.
* hot chocolate for the kids.
* GPS to mark good spots.
* a backup UUUL rod, as I break 'em quite often...


Dress in layers. I'm normally down to a t-shirt in my tent.

[sparkie51]

once you get hooked you'll end up spending just as much money on ice fishing equipment as you have on open water if not more. It's an addiction that can't be broken. It's hard to explain but your closer to the fish. You are on a bucket looking down a hole at your feet and a fish looking up at you through the same hole. Plus the fish taste better through the ice.

For about a $100 you can get every thing to start than if you like it you'll keep add more stuff and more stuff. Than you get to drag all your stuff across the ice. In a couple of years you'll find that some stuff you need and some you don't. Plus every Christmas you can place an order with Santa.

Go to Lowe's and get a sled that is used for mixing cement for $12. don't take your kids sled!
A bucket, to sit on.
Some jigging poles with 2 or 4lb line.
Some ice fishing jigs, Jammin jigs .com.
An auger ,6 inch.
An ice scoop.
And some maggots.
warm clothing.
And a thermos. That's everything you'll need to start.

Than comes the shanty, depth finder, and heaters, tip ups, speciality poles and lures.




I think fishing through the ice makes you a better open water fisherman.

[beenfishin?]

thanks guys. Now for the big questions, how do I decide where to cut a hole?? Use a depth finder on open water to find structure, how do I do it on ice?? What depths will the fish be? Suspended or near bottom? Will they be on the same structure as in hot weather? And please answer any other question that I didn't ask or know to ask. Thanks again.