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Ice Fishing
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Published: October 10, 2006
Ice fishing began as a means of sustenance for people living in some of the coldest conditions on the planet. Over the years, ice fishing has become a very popular winter activity. Ice fishing can be done just about anywhere lakes and in some cases rivers freeze thoroughly enough to support the weight of a fisher and his equipment.
In places like Canada and the Great Lakes region of the United States, locations in European countries like Germany and Russia, and Nordic nations like Sweden, Norway and Finland, its common to see shanties spring up on fish-rich waters like small towns once the water freezes; the ranks of citizens populated with dedicated fishermen.
Ice fishing equipment can range from very simple rigs to elaborate operations depending on the angler and trip. Ice fishing equipment can be very different from the traditional equipment associated with freshwater and saltwater fishing.
Excluding warm clothes, the basic equipment includes an ice auger and spade or shovel for preparing a hole or rectangle in the ice, specially designed rods and reels (ice fishing rods and reels are usually more compact, some ice anglers prefer hand-lines to rods and reels),specifically designed tackle (line, lures and bobbers) and a minimal shelter. Moderate to extravagant anglers not only employ the basic equipment, but will also take advantage of sonar fish finders, portable heaters, ice-fishing huts or shelters, and gas powered ice augers to name a few. The most important piece of equipment for all ice anglers is the ice pick. The tool, simply a piece of rope and a large nail or spike, is used to pull yourself out of water in the event the ice breaks and you fall through.
The most important issue for ice anglers is ice thickness. The quality of ice determines the safety of fishing waters. Depending on location, a mere two inches is enough to support the weight of a fisher and her basic equipment. Just an inch more can support a small group of fishers. Ice that reaches twenty inches in thickness can support upwards twenty-five tons of weight. The most durable ice tends to be colored clear to blue over a lake. Slushy ice tends to support half the weight of solid ice. Erring on the side of caution is the best advice one can give an ice fisherman.
Depending on location, ice fishermen, especially in the United States and Canada, can net fish including panfish like bluegill and crappie, burbot, perch, walleye, lake trout, white fish, lake sturgeon and musky and northern pike.
Strides are being made to bring the credibility of saltwater and freshwater fishing to ice fishing. Long time stereotyped as an activity requiring little participation from its participants, mostly a lot of waiting and alcohol consumption, more and more sportsmen clubs are including ice fishers in their ranks. Worldwide, more and more tourneys are being held specifically for ice fishing.
Ice Safety. 2005. UPIceFishing.com. 6 Oct 2006. www.upicefishing.com
Fish and Methods. 2005. UPIceFishing.com. 6 Oct 2006. www.upicefishing.com
Lakes/ Bays. .2005. UPIceFishing.com. 6 Oct 2006. uwww.upicefishing.com
Ice Fishing Equipment. 2006. Ice Fishing World. 6 Oct 2006. www.icefishingworld.com
Gearing Up for Ice Fishing. 2006. Justin Hoffman/ Bass Pro Outdoors LLC. 6 Oct 2006. www.basspro.com
In places like Canada and the Great Lakes region of the United States, locations in European countries like Germany and Russia, and Nordic nations like Sweden, Norway and Finland, its common to see shanties spring up on fish-rich waters like small towns once the water freezes; the ranks of citizens populated with dedicated fishermen.
Ice fishing equipment can range from very simple rigs to elaborate operations depending on the angler and trip. Ice fishing equipment can be very different from the traditional equipment associated with freshwater and saltwater fishing.
Excluding warm clothes, the basic equipment includes an ice auger and spade or shovel for preparing a hole or rectangle in the ice, specially designed rods and reels (ice fishing rods and reels are usually more compact, some ice anglers prefer hand-lines to rods and reels),specifically designed tackle (line, lures and bobbers) and a minimal shelter. Moderate to extravagant anglers not only employ the basic equipment, but will also take advantage of sonar fish finders, portable heaters, ice-fishing huts or shelters, and gas powered ice augers to name a few. The most important piece of equipment for all ice anglers is the ice pick. The tool, simply a piece of rope and a large nail or spike, is used to pull yourself out of water in the event the ice breaks and you fall through.
The most important issue for ice anglers is ice thickness. The quality of ice determines the safety of fishing waters. Depending on location, a mere two inches is enough to support the weight of a fisher and her basic equipment. Just an inch more can support a small group of fishers. Ice that reaches twenty inches in thickness can support upwards twenty-five tons of weight. The most durable ice tends to be colored clear to blue over a lake. Slushy ice tends to support half the weight of solid ice. Erring on the side of caution is the best advice one can give an ice fisherman.
Depending on location, ice fishermen, especially in the United States and Canada, can net fish including panfish like bluegill and crappie, burbot, perch, walleye, lake trout, white fish, lake sturgeon and musky and northern pike.
Strides are being made to bring the credibility of saltwater and freshwater fishing to ice fishing. Long time stereotyped as an activity requiring little participation from its participants, mostly a lot of waiting and alcohol consumption, more and more sportsmen clubs are including ice fishers in their ranks. Worldwide, more and more tourneys are being held specifically for ice fishing.
Ice Safety. 2005. UPIceFishing.com. 6 Oct 2006. www.upicefishing.com
Fish and Methods. 2005. UPIceFishing.com. 6 Oct 2006. www.upicefishing.com
Lakes/ Bays. .2005. UPIceFishing.com. 6 Oct 2006. uwww.upicefishing.com
Ice Fishing Equipment. 2006. Ice Fishing World. 6 Oct 2006. www.icefishingworld.com
Gearing Up for Ice Fishing. 2006. Justin Hoffman/ Bass Pro Outdoors LLC. 6 Oct 2006. www.basspro.com
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