Ice Fishing

Crappie are predatory fish of the genus Pomoxis. Two species are recognized by science: P. annularis, commonly called the white crappie, and P. nigromaculatus, also known as the black crappie. Both species change colors throughout the season, and by pattern alone, they can be tough to tell apart. The surest way to tell the difference […]

The real secret to catching more fish is knowledge! The more you know, the more fish you'll catch. These Muskie ice fishing tips and techniques are proven winners. It's time to take a closer look at one of the most sought after fish in North America, the Muskie. What's not to like about them? They're as good to eat […]

The walleye--Sander vitreus--is one of the most popular species ice anglers chase, but it’s also the least well-understood by fishermen and scientists alike. Exactly why and how walleye migrate is something of a mystery, though their attraction to spawning sites is obvious. But the key to catching these aggressive predators is to make the most […]

The yellow perch, Perca flavescens, is a popular panfish to chase all year ‘round. Their natural curiosity and voracious appetite make them easy and fun to catch, contributing to their introduction beyond their naturally northern range. As a result, they can now be found as far south as Ohio and South Carolina. Perch behavior is […]

There’s a certain breed of angler who waits all year for the coming of winter, whose dreams are haunted by hard water, the steam of breath in the cold air, and numb fingers pulling big fish through the ice. These ice fishing fanatics know that cold weather brings hot fishing, and they’re already lubing their […]

If there’s one thing all ice anglers can agree on, it’s that tip ups are an effective way to cover a lot of hard water no matter how cold the weather is. And if the thought of a lake packed with pike and walleye, but covered in ice and snow, gets your heart pounding, we […]

The real secret to catching more fish is knowledge! The more you know, the more fish you'll catch. These ice fishing tips and techniques are proven winners. Whether you're ice fishing for Walleye, Northern Pike, Crappie, Perch or any other type of fish it's important to know as much as you can about the species you're after. You'll […]

Sunfish are fun to catch no matter what your age. They're usually easier to find and catch than most other species of fish. Sunfish make a great meal too. If you want to catch more Sunfish the two most important keys are location and presentation. You could have the most appealing bait in the world but if there aren't […]

The northern pike, Esox lucius, is a common predator in freshwater lakes and rivers where ice fishing is popular. Armed with a mouthful of sharp, backward-facing teeth and a sleek olive green body sporting a white belly, the pike is the stuff of nightmares for other fish--and the fuel of dreams for many anglers. Massive, […]

This ice fishing gear and equipment checklist was put together so you won't forget anything important the next time you head out on the ice. Fishing License Fishing Rods & Reels (insure your line is in good shape) Tackle Box Tip-Ups Live Bait (minnows and/or grubs) Auger (and fresh gas) Heater (and fuel canisters) Sonar […]

Lake trout, Salvelinus namaycush, are a salmonid cousin of both salmon and brook trout. Distinctive for their forked tail and silver-gray body, they’re actually a freshwater char, not a true trout at all. These large fish are as fun to catch as they are tasty to eat. But if you want to ice fish for […]

Drilling holes in the ice isn’t the fun part of fishing on hard water, and you want this job to go as smoothly and quickly as possible. Whether you prefer the lightweight simplicity of a good hand auger, or the unrivaled power of gasoline, choosing the best ice fishing auger for this hard work is […]

To get the most from your tackle, line choice is critical. Unfortunately, this is a complicated subject, and it’s easy to find plenty of misinformation out there. Since the wrong choice can lead to frustration, missed strikes, and broken line, we’d like to help by offering a clear, fact-backed discussion of line basics, followed by […]

Winter doesn’t mean the end of fishing season, especially if you live where the mercury really sinks and the ice thickens over lakes and rivers. While it takes some specialized gear, a bit of know-how, and a lot of tolerance for the cold, ice fishing is really heating up! If you’re ready to tackle the […]

Fall is here, and the change of seasons signals that it’s time to start gearing up for winter fishing. Cold weather doesn’t mean the end of the angling excitement, but if you plan to venture out on the ice this year, you’ll need the right tackle to bring home crappie and pike. That may sound […]

If you’re like me, you’re probably still out fishing by headlamp, freezing your fingers off as winter sets in. Once the water ices over, it’s not time to head inside. It’s time to upgrade gear and get back out there. Enjoying fishing in the winter months can be a little more challenging than summer lure-throwing, […]

A successful day on the ice demands a combination of know-how and the right gear. As any experienced angler can attest, only a fool would use a Polar tip-up in three feet of snow, warm their hub shelter with a sunflower heater, or fish with light, braided line in a stiff breeze on the exposed […]

Jigging is the ultimate ice fishing technique, and as we wait for the water to harden, it’s time to revisit this tried and true method. While apparently no more complicated than dropping a lure through a hole in the ice and giving it a bit of a twitch, the difference between fishing and catching this […]

Whether you’re jigging for crappie or ripping for pike, one thing’s certain: you’ll have more fun and less trouble if you fish from a ice shelter. When unprotected on the ice, not only are the temperatures more brutal on you and your gear, but the wind will wreak havoc on light, freezing line. And if […]

Ice fishing is at the forefront of innovation within the sport of angling, and while each new summer sees much the same gear on the water, the short days of winter witness new gear every year. On the hard water, for instance, the days of long rods are finished. Today you’ll see most ice anglers […]

Flashers have been an ice fishing must-have for years, and more than a few winter anglers won’t even think about dropping a line unless there’s a transducer in the hole with it. If you’ve used one of these sonar systems, you know why--they work so well it’s almost like cheating! Three brands dominate the scene: […]

For most winter anglers, tip-ups are essential gear. Whether you want to cover a lot of water, try multiple baits and depths, or just increase the odds of landing fish while you jig in the comfort of an ice shanty, well-designed tip-ups are a reliable, effective fishing tool. From monster pike to plate-sized panfish, a […]

Fishing at the best of times offers plenty of challenges, and angling on the hard water adds a whole host of new frustrations. Frozen line, iced-over guides, and fingers too numb to tie a new jig on can spoil even the best of days--and if you’ve ever sat shivering over a ten-inch hole, you know […]

Keeping warm and dry on the ice is essential. While an awesome shelter and heater can help, if you’re constantly fiddling with your tip-ups, fishing in the open, or taking a long snow-machine ride to the ice, you’ll need the best bibs you can find. Even just the repetitive kneeling that ice angling demands will […]

However awesome your flasher or fishfinder, there’s nothing like actually seeing the fish you’re after. And from species identification to indications of behavior, live video is an impressive tool to enhance your angling prowess. Indeed, plenty of hard-water anglers already know that “eyes-on” fishing will improve your success. But finding what you need isn't exactly […]

If you’re getting ready for ice fishing, you’re not alone. We are too! And if you’re anything like us, you’re counting the days until the ice is thick enough to fish. Until then, preparation is key, and as any experienced angler can tell you, the right gear is essential to make the most of your […]