Ice fishing essentials: Everything you need to fish through the ice this winter
Ice fishing, like lots of outdoor sports, can be a bit intimidating for the newcomer. There’s a wide variety of gear to choose from and some of it is pretty darn expensive. A simple jig can run you less than a dollar, whereas an ice shelter or powered ice auger can easily run in the hundreds of dollars. Fortunately, there’s just a few must-haves and those key items don’t have to break the bank. Here’s a look at the stuff you just gotta have to fish through the ice …
Tip-ups and rods: These are the tools of the trade and without them you just aren’t fishing. The question is, which tool for the job?
Many fisheries in the Bozeman area, such as the East Gallatin Recreation Area and Hyalite Reservoir, allow an angler to fish two lines at a time. Tended rods are best for these situations.
Other Montana waters, like Canyon Ferry Lake and Fort Peck Lake, allow up to six lines in the water through the ice. That’s when tip-ups come into play.
“With the tip-ups the flag will indicate when a fish hits,” said Frank Benestante at the Bob Wards fishing department. “Basically, the difference between rods and tip-ups is if you want to get a little action on it or you just want to sit and watch.”
Jigs and lures: Jigs are the go-to lure choice for a lot of ice fishermen. The movement of a jig attracts fish and keeps the action constant during long days on the ice. Jigs come in a variety of colors and sizes — some even glow in the dark — and are best fished under the frequent motion of a bobbing rod tip.
“Jigs are real popular,” Benestante said. “Little ones are best, you don’t want anything that is too big for trout and perch.”
Don’t forget the bait: Jig are great and they’ll catch you quite a few fish on their own, but adding a small piece of bait can make all the difference in the world, especially if you are fishing with tip-ups rather than a rod.
“If I’m running tip-ups, I’ll usually use some bait to get down in on some of those bigger fish,” ice fisherman Brandon Teters of Belgrade said while fishing at East Gallatin Recreation Center on Tuesday. “If I’m going for cruising rainbows, I might just tip it with a worm or maggot.”
Montana fishing license: Still the sweetest piece of paper in my wallet, a Montana resident fishing license can be had for $26. Nonresidents will have to fork over $70, and that’s still a bargain. Even better, kids 11 and under fish for free.
A Montana fishing license grants the bearer the right to fish waters across the state throughout the year. Make sure to pick up a copy of the state fishing regulations with your license purchase to make sure you’ve got the right number of lines in the water.
Ice auger: It looks like a giant corkscrew and is capable of popping the top on more fun than your favorite bottle of wine. An ice auger is the biggest investment for the beginning ice angler. A hand-crank model can be had from local outdoors retailers for around $45, but motorized units can run several hundred.
If you’re new to ice fishing, buy a hand-crank auger. It’ll get you started for the cheapest amount of money and provide some much needed exercise while ice fishing. If you fall in love with the sport, a motorized unit will make your life a lot easier.
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- Bozeman’s Jon Yousko wins Jackson Hole fishing tournament with Team Worldcast
- Madison River Foundation receives grant from Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks
- Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks ups ante on fight against aquatic invasive species
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