— Norm Strung, Field and Stream
I teach kids how to fish on Idaho ice. After all, even an ornery kid can only get one foot wet through an eight-inch hole once the ice is safe. Moreover, on a calm, sunny day, sunburn seems more of a hazard than frostbite. So if you can get to ice, try it, you may find it nice, and you will certainly find the gear cheap.
Author on a ski-in ice day Note: award winning photo by Annette Lucido
Getting a hole through the ice is the first problem. Go where ice fishing is popular and you can usually borrow an auger. It's considered good form to replace the chips you make in the hole you auger and the resultant mound both warns of soft ice and keys an area that's easy to reopen. Popular areas with the presence of other anglers also let you know the ice is safe. That is always the first and most important point to check!
Hand lines rigged with a tiny float, an even smaller shot and a couple of size 12-salmon-egg hooks get the job done for perch, panfish and trout. A can of corn can supply bait for more trips than most make. So, leave the fancy rods at home — especially if you have kids along. If you must bring a rod and reel, try an ultralight spinning or light casting rig.
Do bring some two-foot-or-so squares of plywood to stand on to keep your feet warm. I usually tote gear in a five-gallon bucket and sit on that with flotation cushion padding. Then, when I get a fish out and flopping on the ice, I simply kick the wood over the hole until I control the loose fish.
As a rule, areas near inlets, along points and in areas otherwise productive during summer produce best. Open several holes — the noise will drive fish away for a bit — and move from hole to hole until you find fish. Do fish just under the ice or just off bottom. These are usually the most productive areas. You can, if you own a portable depth finder, pour a bit of salad oil on the ice surface for good transducer contact and only auger where you see action. DO NOT USE ANTIFREEZE! Pups tend to lick the old-fashioned toxic types and can die!
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