| Since the dawn of mankind fishing and catching the | | | | overall travels may be less over the lake regions, |
| largest and most fish has always been on most | | | | however in their limited areas they move around a |
| men's mind. So it is with ice fishing in the Northern | | | | lot more. An ice fisherman pegged down to only hole |
| U.S. states and Canada. In an effort to catch "that | | | | in the ice, in one specific location is at a major |
| big one" as well "more fish" new technologies and | | | | disadvantage. Modern technologies and materials, |
| techniques have advanced and evolved. Many of | | | | adapted from the space race are being used and |
| these techniques and tactics are thought fresh, | | | | applied for the successful ice fisherman. First of all, |
| copied and some say even "stolen" from the ice | | | | small one man portable ices fishing huts or shelters |
| fisherman's fall/spring / summer "open water" fishing | | | | have been developed. Incredibly light, easy to carry |
| cousins and some even say "competitors". To begin | | | | and setup these small, portable one man fishing huts |
| with and to note with caution - the first rule of ice | | | | allow the successful ice fisherman to quickly and |
| fishing is to return home intact with your catch, or | | | | promptly move his camp - for greater ice fishing |
| sometimes lack of catch. Safety is more than | | | | success. How does the ice fisherman know where to |
| paramount. Always remember that even though you | | | | move his gear? After all a change is not always as |
| feel safe on the ice - that in one flash you can be in | | | | good as a rest. Again modern technology comes into |
| the most dangerous, deadly frozen environment on | | | | play. Sonar fish fishing equipment has been specifically |
| earth. Ice cold water is the most deadly water on | | | | targeted with the ice fisherman in mind. Older "flasher |
| earth to all human beings on earth and ice fisherman. | | | | "type sonar fishing gear is best for this purpose. |
| It never hurts to play it safe. Remember first of all | | | | Instead of the newer, more expensive LCD graphing |
| that "first ice" is "dangerous ice". Ice can be | | | | gear, flashers give an immediate, real time fix on the |
| inconsistent during the first phases of freezing. Even | | | | fish and their movement and motions. Fish can be |
| though the ice looks safe - it may not be in certain | | | | more than promptly spotted, their locations gauged |
| icy patches. Best to wait till the ice is good and solid. | | | | the ice fishing holes can then be quickly and promptly |
| It is always best for safety for ice fisherman to fish | | | | dug in the correct places with real time, rather than |
| in groups - rather than alone. However spread out | | | | more dated and less accurate and timely information. |
| the weight of your fishing party and gear. As a rough | | | | As well there are additional benefits to the ice fishing |
| guide ice fisherman should keep 50 feet apart on the | | | | specific fish sonar locaters. The winter ice fisherman |
| fishing ice. As for general ice thicknesses for safety | | | | is a better position to both judge the location, motion |
| concerns they are as a rough guide - 4 inches of ice | | | | as well as feeding and general habits of the fish that |
| thickness is base minimum. If fishing with support | | | | being tracked. Generally with ice fishing predator fish |
| vehicles - ATV's or snowmobiles then 5 inches of ice | | | | strike upwards to grab the bait. The flasher sonar's |
| thickness is the base minimum ice thickness | | | | tip off the fisherman as to exact depth of the fish in |
| recommended for safe and sound ice fishing. The | | | | question so that the fisherman's bait can be placed |
| advances in ice fishing technologies in 2007 seem to | | | | correctly above the fish. Standard practice now is |
| focus on the concepts that ice fishing is a different | | | | those Ice fishermen generally drill several fishing holes. |
| sport and a "different kettle of fish" than its summer | | | | The ice fishing sonar kit can easily be moved from |
| sport and needs to be adapted for that. Summer | | | | spot to spot to get a quick fix of where the fish are |
| fishing seems to be more of a stay put in the boat | | | | and are not. Successful catches rather than empty |
| or on shore type of fishing. The feeding and resting | | | | catches are now the norm. Lastly the Ice fishing |
| habits of fish seem to be located in certain spots and | | | | specific sonar "flasher " fishing gear are not only less |
| holes. Whether this is for temperature, water flow | | | | expensive than the newer "LCD" sonar fishing types |
| and geography and nutrient flow is a good question. | | | | but also more trouble free and easier to operate in |
| Even though it is most cold in the dead of winter, | | | | the frigid cold weather. LCD screens generally work |
| you might think the fish the ice fisherman is hunting in | | | | on heat principles so that the very cold weather is |
| the dead of winter simply lie dormant on the lake or | | | | not an issue with the "flasher" types. At the end of |
| river bottom. This is not so. The fish act entirely | | | | the day - the successful ice fisherman can boat of |
| differently during the cold winter ice periods. Ice fish | | | | two things- good companionship and a healthy |
| seem to be more mobile than fish during the warmer | | | | rewarding catch of fish for the event. |
| time periods. They move around more. True their | | | | |