Ice Fishing

I have several memories from my rookie years as an ice angler. One that remains vivid is the time I saw a lobster.

Let me explain.

Through the many years of pursuing northern pike through the ice, one aspect that stands out from the rest about their ice-time habits – and one that most folks overlook – is that these toothy critters almost always can be found usi

With ice fishing season being in full swing, many fly tiers are feeling the crux of not being able to get out and play with their most recent creations, but this doesn't need to be the case. Although most of the fun with fly fishing is in the presentation of flies to fish, ice fishing with your homemade flies can be rewarding and very effective. 

One of the best ways to catch big gills is through the ice.

When the going gets tough, ice anglers break out live bait. Minnows are a reliable standby for many species. There are several ways to rig them, depending on the presentation. Here is a run-down of some methods.

If you live in the northern Midwest, then the opportunities for ice fishing on Lake Superior and the surrounding inland lakes are endless. Walleye, salmon, bass and northern pike can all easily be targeted and caught by the novice and experienced ice angler alike, making this area one of the true great ice fisheries found throughout the US.

The time between the first snowfall and the first good ice is never long enough for sportsmen who transition from late-season hunting to ice fishing. It seems you barely have time to put away your rifle before hearing reports of fish being pulled through the ice. 

Since ice fishing is one of those special sports where preparation is everything, hav

Snow-covered landscapes and frozen bodies of water have a deliberate way of changing a pike anglers' methods and routines. Gone are the oversized spinnerbaits, cranks and spoons — the familiar tools of warm weather fishing — and out come the tip-ups and quick-strike rigs.

Well folks it's mid-winter. Most lakes and rivers I've fished have a good amount of snow on them, but recently I was on a lake that had merely a dusting of the white stuff. It was as slippery as Teflon. It's been my practice to always carry boot cleats and this trip was another scenario where they enhanced my day on the ice.

Right now, there's a hidden hot spot in your favorite lake, and most years it never gets touched. "There's this lake I've fished my whole life," says legendary ice angler and guide, Brian "Bro" Brosdahl. "Thought I knew it pretty well.