By Dallin Saurey

On warm summer days, my favorite lakes remind me of another season when I can walk on the white crystal Ice. The whole lake is dotted with tents and drilled fishing holes. So that you can enjoy ice fishing as much as I have, I have compiled a few tips that keep the sport alive and will, hopefully, make you and your friends want to return for the good times, the beauty of the scenery, and a few freshwater fish.

It’s really important to have the right gear for ice fishing. Short ice fishing poles, tip-ups, a bucket or camp chair to sit on, fishing bait, tackle (extra line, something to cut the line, extra hooks, pliers to remove hooks safely, sinkers, jigs, etc.) a fish finder, a heater, and a tent are just the beginning of my equipment list. Warm hats, gloves, snow pants, and layers of clothes will be necessary to keep warm.  You can get an ice fishing sled from Cal Ranch or Cabela’s Bass Pro to help you transport all this equipment onto the ice, and your buckets of fish back to shore.

Plan on foods that taste best cold and don’t forget extra fluids to drink, because these trips last through at least one meal time.

Another important tip is to always check ahead with your local fish and game department on how thick the ice is. If the ice isn’t very thick, you could fall in. Rivers are usually not iced over or stable unless there is an area where the water is not moving so the ice can thicken.

Ice fishing can be wonderful, whether you have family and friends with you and are catching fish or not. Out on the lake you can ask people for general knowledge on what their fish are biting on.

Did you know you’re only allowed four fishing poles per person? So the more people you have, the more you can bring home. Perch is mild tasting and you have a better chance of catching them with little chunks of fresh perch on the hook. It is essential to know how to use a gas auger. (I only say this because some of us like to be tough and skip reading the directions and warnings. Gas augers make life easier but learn the safety directions first!) Using a hand auger can help you keep warm, but I end up sweating and you want to avoid too much of that. The most important tip I can give is to stay warm while ice fishing so you can enjoy the wonders and beauty of this outdoor activity.

I wish I were more like my Dad who would invite all his children and grandkids to go ice fishing. It didn’t matter if we got fish or not.

One favorite ice fishing memory was when I went with my friend and my dad to Mud Lake. My friend was pulling a bunch of perch. He was kind enough to let me sink a line in the same ice fishing hole. We were both pulling perch left and right. I believe we caught 120 Perch in a single fishing trip.  Mud Lake was one of the best perch fishing spots in eastern Idaho that day.

Another memory: When I went ice fishing at Jackson Lake, my father’s snowmobile broke down, so we decided to set up right there. I was catching lake trout like crazy with a glow-in-the-dark jig that my father made. I miss those days when we went ice fishing with family or friends.

If you ever want to go ice fishing, I will take you out. It doesn’t matter what skill level you have. I will bring a heater and the above listed items, if you make sure you have your fishing license.