Ice Fishing Must-Haves
Ice Fishing Must-Haves
What do you consider are some of the most essential ice fishing items needed for your fishing excursions? As you prepare for a day out on the ice or even a trip to an ice fishing destination, there are items on your packing list that, in all likelihood, are always on the list. I conducted a quick survey to see what other anglers have on the top of their list.
SAFETY
This topic will always be at the top of any ice fishing list. Having the right equipment to keep you safe is an absolute. Floatation devices, whether your ice fishing bibs have built-in floatation material or you wear an auto-inflating vest, keeping yourself afloat increases your odds of getting out of the ice-cold water safely. Ice spikes that you wear around your neck will help you pull yourself out. Always keep a throwable rope that’s weighted on one end. You can toss this out to an angler without putting yourself at risk. There can’t be enough said about safety. All too often, as each ice fishing season comes and goes, there are accidents that, in some cases, could have a better outcome with anglers prepared to deal with ice fishing incidents.
CLOTHING
It goes without saying that ice fishing, well…is cold! At the top of everyone’s list is ensuring they have a good set of ice fishing bibs. That’s the top layer, and you should dress in layers when spending time out on the ice. Weather can be tricky, as always. The forecast may call for a calm day with some sun, only to be interrupted by winds and snow. If things warm up, you can shed your bib jacket or open it up and stay comfortable. I have a pair of long underwear I’ve had for years, which still does the trick. Keep the heat in, and stay cozy. Always ensure that you maintain these suits; if they get damaged it compromises the suit and won’t keep the cold out.
Boots and gloves are included here. As my friend Teeg Stouffer said, “Good boots and gloves, along with hand and toe warmers, are essential, especially if you’re fishing with kids. They don’t generate as much body heat.” The industry as a whole has really revamped ice fishing boots, and they are designed to keep the cold off your feet. It’s hard to stay on the ice or focus on fishing if your feet are cold. New boots also have a revolutionary way of sliding them on and tightening up the “laces,” more like a wire that pulls tight when a dial is turned.
Gloves are absolutely essential when you’re out on the ice for any age of angler. Some come with spots for hand warmers to be slipped in. Keeping hand warmers in your pockets as you fish will allow you to do a quick warm-up if needed. There are waterproof gloves so you can reach into the hole and grab that trophy before it slips back into the ice-cold water. The variety of gloves is just as broad as the boots. Find a pair that fits your needs and keep your fingers warm.
SHELTER
For some anglers, this might not necessarily be a “must-have,” but if you want to stay comfortable and fish for an extended period, having a portable ice fishing shack will do the trick. As many of you know, the types and styles of ice fishing shelters are endless. So it really comes down to preference. A single-person shelter works excellent for someone who likes to run and gun around the lake. Typically light and easy to deploy, you can quickly move from one spot to another. A two-person shelter is not quite as easy, but it is spacious enough for two and always roomy enough for one. That’s my go-to shelter since my wife, and I enjoy going out, but cold is not her cup of tea.
As many ice anglers are apt to do, we’ll drill quite a few holes around the area where we start fishing. It’s great to find an area holding fish, and as you punch those holes out, you find the edge of a dropoff and walk your way out to deeper water. You can fish out in the elements for a bit, and as you cool off, slip into the shelter and warm back up. Or if you find a very active group of fish in another area, move. It’s not quite the speedy version of a one-person shack, but you can still move.
HEAT SOURCE
While this may not be on everyone’s list, having a way to stay warm will keep you out on the ice much longer. It may be as simple as the aforementioned hand and toe warmers. Just enough to keep your fingers and toes warm and comfortable so you can spend the day out on the ice. A good heater, and there are quite a few to choose from these days, will also help. Single burner to double burner, any host of styles, even those that come with a grate to grill some brats! That’s a good use of the propane you’re burning. Keep in mind that propane, when burned, produces carbon monoxide. When using heaters in a shelter, ensure they can ventilate so that you don’t succumb to CO.
AUGERS
These are some of the most essential tools we can have when we hit the ice. When I first started my ice fishing adventures, I had a hand auger. It was brutal. The ice was about 18 inches thick the first time I used it. To say the least, it took me some time, and I was all but worn out. And I hadn’t even wet a line! As time passed, I graduated to a battery-operated auger and one fueled by gas. These are all great upgrades, though dealing with a gas/oil mixture can sometimes get messy. The battery-operated auger was great, but as we all know, cold is hard on batteries, and it was heavy.
Jump ahead a few years, and now we have augurs that can fit into a handheld battery-operated drill. Light, mobile, and fast. Keeping the blades sharp on these augers is also essential. For the first couple of years, I used the standard battery that came with the drill. While it worked well, sometimes the cold would zap the battery sooner than I wanted. Investing in a larger, more powerful battery that can last all day does the trick. You can keep the smaller one as a spare, just in case. On a side note, store that battery in a container of some sort and throw in some hand or body warmers to help keep it from succumbing to the cold.
While this may not be an exhaustive list and may only represent a portion of what anglers consider essential items to grab as they head out to the ice, it certainly is a great foundation to build on. Stay safe out on the ice this year, take care of our shared resources, and as always…Tight Lines All!
by Ben Leal
November 2024
