What is ice fishing
Ice fishing is a sport in which fishermen attempt to catching fish from a
frozen lake or other frozen body of water. Most people know of ice fishing from
what they have seen on television or in the movies. Those images are only
partially true. Hollywood would like to portray the typical ice fisherman as an
elderly person, but reality says that the sport appeals to sportsmen of all
ages.
Ice fishing is a very dangerous sport for only fishermen the bravest of souls.
Beyond the obviously terrible conditions and temperature, there is always the
chance that the piece of ice might not be thick enough. Because of this safety
is kept at the forefront by ice fishermen. They make sure that the ice is at
least four inches thick before stepping out onto the ice to ensure that an
accident doesn’t occur. In addition, ice fishermen have systems in place to
ensure their safety once on the ice.
Ice fishing requires a great deal more effort than most kinds of fishing.
Because the fishing is done on a frozen lake, ice fishermen must take the
initiative to saw a hole in the ice for themselves. This is the first step to
ice fishing. From there, ice fishing involves sitting on a chair or stool in
heavy clothing to wait out the fish.
Some ice fishing is done outdoors and some is done indoors. Hardcore ice
fishermen like to brave the odds in order to catch fish out in the cold. Others
seek the safety, warmth, and protection of heated huts that are built on the
ice. These small huts have many names, including fish house, bobhouse, and ice
shanty. Generally, these ice houses are only used by fishermen who are looking
to embark on an extended ice fishing trip.
The equipment required for ice fishing is somewhat standard. Besides the saw
that is used to create a hole in the ice, these fishermen must pack a fishing
rod and some sort of lure or bait. Fishing rods that are used for ice fishing
can vary somewhat, depending on what kind of fish the fisherman is trying to
catch. A smaller rod is usually considered the best when jigging for small
fish. Heavier rods will be needed to catch heavier fish.
Some fishermen aren’t interested in baiting a hook to catch a fish. These ice
fishing specialists use fish decoys to bring fish to the hole in the ground.
One a fish appears, the hunter spears his prey and lifts the fish from the
frozen pond. This rugged type of fishing is more efficient, but less popular
than the trusted way of baiting and pulling a fish in.
Ice fishing is serious business. Like most other types of fishing, it has grown
in popularity over the last few years. While it still might not be the chosen
fishing method for the masses, it does suit the fancy of many people in cold
weather climates. Those folks who like to fight the elements and the fish tend
to like ice fishing.