2020 Life On The Ice Photo Contest Entries

This is our 6 month old daughters first time on the ice! She loves being in the Ice Castle! We were just getting set up and just put the line down in the water when this fish was caught on Mille Lacs. What a great way to spend time with family!

My wife and I most memorable ice fishing trip was when we were on early ice in December with my sister and brother-in-law on Lake of the Woods. We both were in portable houses. We had a Otter Lodge. My brother-in-law had a pop-up style house. While fishing, my brother-in-law stepped out of their house to check on our success when the wind came up, and picked up their house and it started gliding across the ice with my sister inside, when we heard all the commotion we looked out only to find my sister sailing across Lake of the Woods with my brother-in-law running after her. Fortunately, there was a small patch of snow that slowed her and the house down long enough for my brother-in-law to catch up and hold down until we arrived.

Our 2nd annual relatives ice fishing excursion. This year we fished Lake Minnetonka. We grilled lunch right on the lake. Good time had by all.

This is a annual event we started last year. We are all related to each other. This year we fished Lake Minnetonka. As you can see we grilled out for lunch right on the ice. We have a lot of fun and always look forward to the next year.

I broke my leg earlier this winter on a snowmobile. Lucky I had got myself a fish house. Spending most of the winter in the fish house with friends and family has been a blast. Way better than sitting at home to recover.

You can see Ryan Marut peeking out of the shanty during the snow storm.A lot of good conversation was had that day. It was fun being the only ones on the lake that day

This was Nates first time ice fishing ever. We were on Wahl Lake in northern Michigan. It was a fun day. We caught a few crappie, grilled burgers on the ice with a cast iron skillet. A lot of good conversation was had that day

This was Ryan’s first fish ever caught through the ice on Wahl Lake in northern Michigan. It was a decent Crappie.

My most memorable experience is getting out to remote areas of the lake with no one else around us and enjoying nature with friends and family. If we happen to find a couple a fish along the way that’s an added bonus!

This photo represents one of the most memorable ice fishing trips. We were up in grand rapids for new years and I was the lucky one who was sick all weekend. I wasn't gonna let me being sick stop me from ice fishing. As I went out i could tell i was just getting sicker with all this cold air, but i didnt care. That weekend I caught more walleyes than i have ever caught before. That weekend was a special weekend not only was I sick but my buddy's shack flew away and the one thing that pops up in my head is my buddy just running down the lake after his shack.

On this particular fishing day for the lake Sherwood fisheree, my husband took the kids with the atv to the kids activities across the lake. As we have a propane heater inside the shanty, i was getting ready to take a nap as the fish were not biting. All of a sudden, the wind lifted the shanty up over my head and flew across the lake. I went running after it. A group of guys next to us has to help me flip it back over all of our stuff and ice holes. The shanty was prior tied down to the atv that my husband took and had the stakes. The guys ended up hanging on to it while we packed the sides down with slush. Meanwhile, my tip ups are going off and I have no clue what to do. The one guy who could be my dads age ended up helping me reset and bait the tip up after we missed the fish. 5 minutes later, same tip up went off. This time the guy tried to set the hook and we missed. Reset and bait the tip up. Before we even got off our knees the tip up went off again. Needless to say - we missed that one too. 5 minutes later my husband shows up with the kids on the atv. We never had any other action the rest of the day but boy did he miss out on the excitement!

I'm ice fishing Yellow Lake, in Burnett County, by combining two of my favorite hobbies; ice fishing in my 2012 Otter T600 flip-over, and towing my Otter with my 2002 Ski Doo Legend, right down the Gandy Dancer snowmobile trail to Yellow Lake from my house - what a great way to combine 2 legendary Wisconsin winter activities into 1, especially with thinner ice conditions this season.

This was our shack on the ice in high school on Lake Beulah. Notice the fish hanging on the side. We had a perfect freeze that year where the ice was approximately 4” to hold our big shack but was perfectly clear allowing us to spear dogfish through the ice in the dark. We would cut a hole above or just in front of dogfish and spear them. They were a conversation piece for all.

first fishing trip of the year!

Nothing better than blending time with your friends and loved ones with your favorite hobby!

I must say my catching this nice 20” Walleye topped off our day after catching 20 nice big Perch!

Night walleye tip up fishing with friends and family while sitting around a blazing campfire

Waiting for the big one to bite!!!

I may not have caught any fish like the other guys but the trip wasn't all about catching fish as it was the memories and good times with friends where we all can unwind, share stories and have a few laughs and the memories that were made and planning next years trip

Three generations of ice fishing for walleyes on the Wisconsin River. Dad, Elle and I have been jigging walleyes together since she was 2 years old. Memories we all share forever.

Last weekend my dad, fiancé and I went out ice fishing on Chisago Lake. It was my fiancé and I’s first time ice fishing and we had a blast! We helped set up my Dad’s Clam Hub 5000 portable ice shelter and it was super easy, spacious and kept us nice and warm. We weren’t sure what to expect, but wow were we surprised when we caught over 200 fish that day! Luckily my dad has gear for us to use, but now we may have fallen in love with this sport and would love to get some gear of our own. We caught tons of crappies and blue gills and we now have plenty to eat for dinner. It was such a fun experience and we can’t wait to get better at it! Ice fishing makes living in MN bearable in these cold winter months!

This was my first adventure with my new wheelhouse on mille lacs and my first walleye caught on a rattle reel,i worked countless hours of overtime and weekends to be able to buy a wheelhouse to spend more time with my family,it’s worth every penny we will create many memories on the ice I found out real quick that sleep was not a guarantee staying overnight with bells ringing.it was a blast and I can’t wait to take my daughter out next weekend with her boyfriend to experience the rush you get waking up to that glorious sound! My daughter loves catching panfish so I can’t wait to see her face for the first time while pulling a walleye up through the hole. It’s addiction we both can share together in the new house.my daughter Hanna is sending you a pic of a crappie she got last weekend and I told her she needs her own rod now she always uses mine ! Her friend had a tuned up rod and we used it on chisago lake and we both fell in love with the commander I told her we have to set her and I up with a couple so we’ll see you guys soon! She was out fishing me with your custom rod so maybe I should rethink that. Ha !

I wored led lights in my flip over best thing I have done no need for the coleman lanterns anymore it lights it up like it is day time.

Are house is holey moldy second hand quick flip 2. My most memorable trip was my first trip with my son when he was 8 and started are addiction.

Catching walleyes at Mille Lacs.

My most memorable ice fishing experience happened back in February of 2011 when I just started getting into ice fishing. I did not have a lot of gear other than a couple poles and some lures as I was just starting out. My friend was nice enough to keep taking me and caught a 16 inch crappie that day. We were stunned as we had never seen one that big in our area ever. Little did I know a half-hour later I got a bite on my 17 inch, ultra-light rod, that I had just purchased a few weeks earlier and pulled a 17.5 inch crappie out of the pond. That new pole got a workout! Not only one trophy crappie in a day but two, made for an unforgettable experience and memory that I will cherish forever with one of my best friends as we still talk about it to this day. A day like that seems like a dream, and keeps my love for ice fishing going!

This is the ice shanty I caught my biggest Pike out of.

Just enjoy spending time with my dad!!

He got his first ice sonar for Christmas we went out the next morning and got on some nice perch.

Even when the fish aren't biting, I still enjoy the beauty of the outdoors and the gracious gifts it has to offer. I enjoy being out on the ice and spending time with friends. This picture was taken on a slow weekend but I was still glad to be able to take in breathe taking views like this. Lake Sarah near Slayton, MN.

Chasing the giant crappies on Upper Red in the early 2000’s.

Our Ice Castle fish house allows us to all fish together and enjoy time together as a family.

Hard to think of the most memorable experience because there has been so many. I have always loved the sunset and sunrises on the lake.

The most memorable time is spent out on the lake with my family and my dog

We joined 50 plus other women on the for the Women on Ice event on Lake Minnetonka. It was a very successful event. Women came from all walks of life from all over the country with all skill levels. We learned a lot and took pride in every fish we caught weather it was tiny lol like the one pictured or the bigger ones that were caught. We felt accomplished working together as a team and landing our own northerns. We put over a 100 fish topside with a nice mixed bag of crappies, gillys, bass, and northern. We had a blast strengthening our independenc of all skills needed for a day on the Ice of fishing solo or with girlfriends when we can't always fish with our husbands or family. What an amazing feeling it is to drill your own holes, set up your shelter, and fish with girl power.

Love taking my daughter out on the ice. She has been fishing since about 6 months old and BEGS to go!

This fish was caught while staying in a rental on Zipple Bay on LOTW. We were stranded on the lake for 2 days while it snowed and the wind whipped up to 40mph. This big girl made the entire trip and the storm seem like a blessing.

This photo was the first time on the ice with our new to us, ice house wheel house of the 2019/2020 ice season. This was also my wife’s and the dogs first ever overnight on the ice. We went to red lake Mn and ,oh boy was it a trip of a lifetime. Fish after fish after fish. My wife Martha was so excited to get her first walleye and 2nd , 3rd, 4th, ... and many more. The dog was usually super intrigued by the fish also. We didn’t sleep much that night and that trip is by far not only the best day fishing that I’ve ever had but also the most memorable. Life on the ice is like nothing else.

It's great ice fishing with my wife and our kids and seeing the excitement when they get a bite, hook & play fish in.

Favorite part: Slaying walleyes!

I have LED lights in my shack so I can tie on jigs easier and see better when jigging for walleyes in the early morning and tip up fishing late at night. I also made shelves which slide in between the uprights to set snacks and jigs on.

This was the shack that I first started ice fishing in. My pops bought this when I was 7, and when I went to college, he let me take it with me. Years after college, I still use this shack and now take my kids out in it.

I was fishing on lake Minnetonka on some clear ice it’s Been about 2 hours and I’m looking at my jig and I see a flash and this pike took my jig and starting taking slack.About 2 hours later our neighbor who is Turkish was asking me about ice fishing because he had never been.I told him it can take all day to catch a few or it can take a few minutes.within one minute of me saying that a 40inch pike slams my jig and I’m in the fight of my life on the ice.i get him about 1 foot from the hole and he throws the hook.even though I didn’t catch him it was the experience and the thrill of booking onto a big fish and also just being out on the ice.

On this outing in the Otter Resort hub a 27in eye was caught. along with a few keepers. it was a great night.

Ice fishing has been a true passion in my life. It can be a super simple past time that doesn't require the latest and greatest. The simplicity of this photo executes that well.

There’s nothing special about my pop up. I bought it because it was large enough to take the whole family fishing. It’s heavy, Awkward and a pain in the butt to set up! But it’s all worth it to see my kids pulling fish though the ice!

Catching a big northern in front of my kids

Otter shanty is absolutely awesome. You can put it up/down so fast and easy. Holds all my friends and keeps us super warm. Best investment ever.

I have owned two otters over the years, started with a green canvas. Both shacks i customize the sleds for the type of fishing we do in mid/northern maine.

This was his first ever ice fishing trip, first ever time using a graph etc. Small walleye were an accomplishment for him

First time fishing Mille Lacs. Already getting good use out of the lifetime fishing licenses!

This was my dad’s tent. His health doesn’t allow him to hit the ice anymore. My late uncle had one as well. I love the fact that these are manufactured in the UP and love even more that I can carry on some family tradition. Just have to love “The Original Jacquart!”

Personal Best 2#7oz 15 1/8” on a tuned up custom PN and a slayer jig

The fish in this picture is my sons very first fish caught through the ice. He was absolutely ecstatic. I have a diesel fired bunk heater installed in the tub of the fish house that is thermostatically controlled so the kids are always comfortable while ice fishing. I believe its important to keep the sport moving forward by getting future generations hooked on fishing just like we are.

Had the opportunity to take my fraternity brothers out for their first time ice fishing. They loved it and asked to go many more times! Although they didn't like the cold haha.

Caught this monster 16" black crappie will fishing out of my otter shanty. A Fish of a lifetime!!!!

This picture was my first night out on the ice in the 2019-20 season. I was fishing on my hometown body of water, Madison Lake. I was catching crappies and bluegills off of the access and noticed the beautiful sunset so I decided to take a picture to commemorate the moment. Such a relaxing and rewarding evening on the ice!

First time on the ice with my little one!

This picture was taken right after I caught a 20 inch 2.56 walleye with 30 minutes left in an ice fishing tournament with my son and fishing buddy. It’s a memory I will keep forever and I believe my son Gavin will always remember as well. Great day on the ice.

I love getting out the lake early in the morning before anyone else. Love using my tuned up custom rod in the hunt for big crappie!!!

Using our tuned up custom rods to get on some bull gills fishing a community hole. I love fishing with my brother.

Weekends on the ice like these are what we live for; these are OUR family fun days! Teaching them right from the start!

One of my most memorable ice fishing trip is when I walked 5 miles in to the bwca and I ended up catching my first lake trout. It wasn't much more than 13" long but the experience of all of the hard work paying off made it fun.

My most memorable ice fishing experience was catching my first largemouth bass through the ice with my brother

My most memorable ice fishing experience is going up to Canada for a annual lake trout fishing trip in February. Always go up with a group of 12 guys including my dad, brother and I. It’s always fun pulling lake trout through the ice. Especially always fun to be fishing with the family and bunch of friends!!

My most memorable ice fishing experience was catching a 37 inch pike on 4lb test line and a ultralight rod.

Caught my first pike on a tip down while targeting crappie!

Great times spearing northerns and catching fish

This is the limited edition Eskimo legacy tent. We took it out for our first night on the ice. We thought we were going to be catching fish all night long. We ended up only catching one splake, and freezing our butts off that night. It was a beautiful night though.

best experience this year so far is when my dad and I went after some walleyes. we easily caught 60 walleyes that day

Love catching fish and just being on the ice in general! In this photo, using tucr bull whip and marcum lx7 is my favorite combo

At the age of 5 she got a 26" walleye on a tip up that she bought herself from money that her greatgrandmother And Great grandfather sent her from Canada at the age of 10 she caught another 26 in on the same tipup On her great grandfather's birthday the year after he passed away

First time using my new otter pro lodge x over was on lake of the woods. Sunrise, crisp clean air, good friends and lots of fish caught over a great weekend.

Favorite Memory: My youngest boy reeling in a fish for the first time

It’s not about how many fish we caught( none) it’s about the trip we went on together. No safe ice here in northern Indiana so we made a 4 hour trip to Cadillac, MI. Little to no sleep this guy trekked miles across the ice, caught zero fish and he had the best attitude of any of us. He was just happy to be with his dad and his friends and he didn’t even know he was the life of the entire trip for us. Love spending time on the ice with my buddy.

Getting my son on his first northern pike with a tip up. Sat in the shanty with snacks and chocolate milk. He iced this pike by himself and i was able to catch it on video. He's caught some slab gills and some 15 inch crappie. But there was just something about this that i love. My favorite ice fishing memory.

Photo Taken in Michigan - First time on Saginaw Bay and we killed it! This was one of the best trips ever! Also got to watch one of our guys land a massive lake trout in a 6 inch hole using a panfish setup hahaha. We has to cut another hole just 2 get the fish up.

Favorite part is being on the ice during the evening sunset.

Avilee caught the biggest walleye and her first on a recent ice fishing trip. She out fished her dad a Mn fishing guide.

This was a beautiful sunrise on Burt Lk in N Mi, and we had to wear ice creepers because it was as slippery as it looked.

When my two sons were 9&10 yrs old they wanted to stay in N MI and fish last ice instead of going south for spring break

It was a beautiful day in late April with ice yet and we didn't need our shack up! Just fun in the sun putting them top side!

Special night with my daughter on the ice. Monster eel pout!

Most memorable ice fishing experience is every morning I fish in it before the sun even rises. Very peaceful and quiet, this also goes for sunset experiences as well!

Love our Otter Pro Lodge with the bucket seats, cause it feels more comfy than sitting in the truck! Propane heater and hot chocolate, we use the Otter is temps as low as -40 on our lake in northern Minnesota. We pull it out on 11th Crow Wing Lake from our front yard with a snowmobile and hitch. Takes only a few minutes to set it up. We can sit in there all evening with the LED lights. Plenty of room inside for us "Big Boys."

Not a fancy ice shack, just simple and small, that’s all you need to catch the Big Guys...so exciting being on the hard water......

Sunrise on the hard water never gets old! Every sunrise is memorable with friends and family!

Home made can be moved faster then most portables. 42 inch pike coming through a 8 inch hole

Saturday 1/25 I caught my biggest pike through the ice, and first one on Mille Lacs. 37.5” and 16-18 pounds

We have a simple portable pop up house to make it quick and easy to take out our 3 kids who love to ice fish! Seeing their excitement and smiles when pulling a fish through the ice makes it a great time every time!

I just love watching the grandkids getting excited about fishing and leaving everything else behind in this busy world!

My most memorable ice fishing experience was tip-up fishing for pike with the kids. We were using hot dogs as bait and had 3 holes drilled. The flags started going up before I even had the last one set and the look on the kids faces as we ran from hole to hole yelling "flag!" Was priceless.

It was Finley’s first time, at 2 months old, being out on the ice watching her brother Mason and daddy ice fishing!

Nothing better then fishing with family and kids

Tell us what's unique about your fish house or describe your most memorable ice fishing experience. It is my very first fish house that I have bought my self. Most memorable there are so many. The main thing is spending time with my dad and girl friend in the fish house.

1st time fishing Leech Lake Mn and 1st time catching a huge fish on my rod and reel. Took 15 mins to land this fish, it was one of the best trips I have ever taken ice fishing. We spent 3 days up on Leech, my Husband, our 2 dogs and myself. We still laugh about my commentary while I was reeling in this beast.

Ice fishing has always been a family affair. As kids, we would skate while my dad fished. Now I take my son. Sometimes we spend more time sledding or making snow angels than we do fishing. We don't always catch fish, but we always make memories.

My most memorable fishing experience was this past winter. I was on a mission to catch a lake trout. For 4 days straight I battled the elements. Finally, I saw a big mark on my LiveScope about 60 feet down (40 feet from the bottom where I had been jigging) and reeled up quick. He took the bait, and after a hard fight, I landed this beautiful late trout

6lb make rainbow caught on 3lbs mono with a 32oz tungsten jig tipped with a wax worm

This day was cold, -13 real feel -20 something with the wind chill. Me and my brother took our mother out fishing for her first tournament. We got to the spot first and set up. We all three just sat in amazement as sun came up, non of us spoke just watched the sun came up. It was surreal, seemed to take forever, I will never forget this day! I just wonder how many angles were looking back at us...

Most memorable is once fishing tip ups in backwaters of the black river had a huge muskelunge get stuck part way up the hole and snapped me off and slid back under the ice. 7 inch hole by the way

I love spending time with my children teaching them about hunting and fishing and having fun doing it!

This is early ice fishing walleye in the bemidji area. I was using my tubes up custom bullwhip for those soft sidle bites. I also had my vexilar which made depicting the fish from the bottom very easy and efficient.

This was my first ever sight fished trout in norther Minnesota through the ice. It is so beautiful and the way these fish react to the baits is quiet incredible. Upload Photo

My son and I don't get to spend much time together so when we get a chance, a day fishing with my best friend is something I cherish.

This is my girlfriends first fish in our new ice castle!

My son Nate caught this dandy northern while on a walleye fishing trip on Red Lake.

Love the Harley Davidson Black, and orange!

Fished on a new lake and caught a nice walleye shortly after setup

First Tulibee catch! We were in my husband's brand new Otter portable. The most memorable ice fishing experience thus far is my first overnight on the ice. It was our first in the new permanent and Minnesota was in a cold spell. The ice popped all night!! Each pop threw me into panic mode!

Fishing with my first born son Cale. Watching him catch and reel in his first walleye at age 3. He is hooked on Ice fishing!

This was the first time I had the house out. Was for the Brainerd Jaycees tournament on gull, 2019. -25 to -30 Actual temps. Furnace quit twice. Still had a blast and will be back every year.

Taking people who don’t ice fish out to enjoy the experience, and add more people to our amazing sport. With Bob Maxwell, Jack Daniels, Jim Malone, & Chris Novak

Fish house can also be used to keep air compressors warm in the freezing temps.

Tell us what's unique about your fish house or describe your most memorable ice fishing experience. First time having the whole family on a ice fishing trip. The start of a Ekstrom tradition.

Taking my kids is always memorable, especially when they're new to walking on ice and haven't figured it out yet. They end up needing a tow.

My most memorable ice fishing experience was seeing the smile on my 14 year olds face when he finally caught his first large mouth bass thru the ice. It is is favorite fish to catch and release.

Beautiful day on the Mississippi

Spending time with my kids enjoying MN winters and Eating walleye!

This was their first time out on the ice. And they had a blast!

I have modified my 600 renegade ACE with an Otter Monster box, front auger carrier, and rear hitch for my Otter XT Pro. The Pro is outfitted with LED lights, battery, coat hooks, front and rear hitches. My group has been going to LOTW for 15 years and this is by far our best rig. Now moved into taking our Sons with us and love passing on the experience. This photo is from the last day of our trip in Jan 2019, it was about -20 and was a fantastic day of fishing.

Father & Son time - Precious

First time out in the new to us toy hauler. Lake of the Woods, sure to become an annual trip. Six of us went and we picked up a first time snowmobile owners ride on the road up to be able to ride together. Whooo!

My most memorable experience on the ice is every time I’m out with my kids. I have a 10yr old boy and 3yr old girl and watching them giggle and laugh brings a new experience everytime. There is nothing better than the outdoors

Watching my 2 year old catch her first fish.

When taking big groups out I pull the Otter train out. Very cool to watch clients and other ice anglers face when we go by..

A great time for 3 generations to spend the day together!

I use hub style portable ice shelters mainly because of the ease and available space inside of them. I love taking the grandkids out fishing!

Our most memorable trip was the first time we went to holter reservoir and limited out in 3 hours!

Well so far its spending time fishing with my 12 year old son and watching him with just a huge smile every time he catches a fish and gets better at ice fishing.

My most memorable ice fishing experience is. Every time I fish with my mom amd brother !

It has a view station to the bottom of the lake

The ice was so clear the day this picture was taken that you could see the fish as they hit the tip-ups. It was rainy & windy, but one of the coolest days on the ice. My wife snapped this picture from inside the shanty while I was resetting.

It’s me and grandpas get away for the day a place to stay warm and enjoy the outdoor.

Teaching my son about the Joy's of hardware fishing like my dad did with myself as a child.

Enjoyed a day fishing crappies with my son Ethan! Love my Otter!

When I took this picture it was -28 degrees out on lake poygan in Central Wisconsin fishing the party on poygan tournament. It was our place to warm up for the day

This is my ice fishing wind breaker that a dear friend left to me to enjoy! It's one of a kind but there is alot of memories and stories told from this little shanty !

Best memories are everytime I get to go ice fishing with friends and family and enjoy the beautiful fish that we catch.

My most memorable was when my daughter caught 2 northern over 40” in the same afternoon.

My daughter's first time crappie fishing

Love spending time hunting and fishing with my boy. Soon he won't need my guidance anymore

Most memorable moment was when I got the whole family to go ice fishing for first time and I got out fished by my wife and 6 year old son.

This was the first time I went fishing with my cousins and I was able to help them land there fish and taught them special techniques. I took this picture right before my flag went up for a nice 30” northern.

Getting my sons out fishing and having a fun Life on the ice!! Keep the tradition alive!!

Taking my boys out ice fishing. They love it!

This is my best hunting and fishing buddy...my son. Every time we go out together it's memorable.

This is the largest sunfish I've ever caught on my backyard lake! I fish it many, many hours, year after year and never catch them this big! I had a great feeling on this day heading out solo to my favorite spot... It was 5 degrees and windy, but absolutely beautiful, and the fish bite was crazy awesome! It's been a great winter season thus far!

My most memorable fishing moment was tip-up fishing with my nephew on Mille Lacs. We scrounged up all the tip-ups we could muster and set up. Every fisherperson has that one least favorite tip-up thats been in a bucket in the back of a garage for ten years untouched. Well that was the one that hooked into a 43" pike that we worked as a team to catch. Felt like it took a half hour to bring in but we did it.

Great open floor plan to help me land monster sturgeon all season

Beautiful sunset on West Okoboji in Northwest Iowa

Most memorable Ice fishing Experience was Catching the fish on the left while jigging and seeing my Deadstick get hit and landing them Both back to back!

This was a very fun and one of the best days I've spent on the ice. We didn't take many home that day but it was worth the memories with my son. The bite wasn't to activate at first but we could tell a school was near by or underneath us. It was one bobber after another going down. Infact, i think we spent more time unhooking fish and baiting hooks than we did anything else. Their was a time where one fish managed to get tangled up in all four lines we had down. My son thought is was so much fun watching me attempting to catch two different rods sliding to their open holes that all he could do was jump in place and laughed so hard i really didnt care if we lost a rod because the look on his face and how much fun he was having was worth more than a little rod and reel. It is definetly a day I will never forget.

I use an old 85 Honda big red 250, and ended up catching a few nice 20" walleye the day I went out with the old girl.

A mid winter thaw made for a foggy reflective outing with my pup

This what I love to do is fish with my kids

Taking our daughters fishing

I love getting my family out on the ice for some winter camping. Our favorite lake to go to is Mille lacs, decent ice year to year and there’s always the potential of pulling a huge fish through the hole.

Spending time with my children fishing is amazing and he is 3 years old and just sits there patiently waiting for that bobber to go down! And this picture is the beginning of a lifetime fishing partner!

Fishing alone one man flip, catching nice blue gills through the ice nothing better.

I love chasing lake trout, it's my favorite species to catch through the ice. This is my personal best lake trout it was 35" I got the picture and let her swim away to fight another day

Fishing with my family and getting them excited about the outdoors.

This is "her" spot and i cant catch the fish when they bite! "Dad just relax! I got this!" Only she can reel them in she tells me!! And yes she does!! Hahaha

My young son loves hunting (and fishing) and decided to incorporate being a sniper by using a frozen northern that he caught earlier in the day on a tip up as his rifle! I love that he uses his imagination!!

Spending the new year ice fishing on Lake of the Woods with my parents was amazing

Fishing was slow and I had just got my new phone and wanted to try out the night picture function. Turned out great!!

The most memorable thing about ice fishing for me is that me and my parents spend the new year fishing on lake of the woods

This was my 4 year old sons first big walleye caught all on his own on rattle reel.

Catching big walleyes under the full moon!

This is a fish house built by both if us. My Dad and me. He hadn't ice fished in a fish house ever until that day.

Built it myself 7x14 crank down. That’s the best feeling. Can have family and friends make memories ever time I’m it there

The flip-over hut is a standard Frabill Aegis with a few mods which most fisherman have done to theirs - skiis to help it pull easier and has LED lighting and camera charging ports installed (with a 12v battery). The attached photo was from GoPro footage of my son, Jason, setting the hook on a fish with his ultra-light rod. The look on his face is priceless. I enjoy what limited time we get to spend on the hard water (fairly short season in Southern Tier, NY). My son is really taking to ice fishing, and has quickly turned into a tip-up hog. These are moments I hope he remembers for the rest of his life and can share these experiences with his children

Sometimes it’s not all about catching fish. For example, this picture was taken on Lake of the Woods. The sheer beauty of Mother Nature did not go unnoticed as my dad, two brothers and myself hunkered down in a sleeper shack in the -28° temperature. The fish just weren’t active and it lead to great camaraderie, memories made, and this.... amazing sunset

Enjoyment of teaching my children how to fish, and the excitement of seeing them when they're successful.

Spending some quality time in grandpa's wheel house over night with my two boys that absolutely love to fish. These two boys could live on the lake if they could. Tate my oldest caught the biggest crappie of the weekend measuring 14.25".

I really enjoy taking my little girl out on the ice! Even when she chooses to dress up like she's going to the ballet. She's catching on real quick and am happy to teach her to the dog's and dont's. This pick was taken during a very windy day out on the lake but we were very comfortable inside the fishouse.

We love taking our kids ice fishing. We look forward to our mini vacations staying out on the lake in our ice castle. When it’s nice out we get out and fish the ole fashion way, on a bucket. We may not always catch anything, but the memories we create beats catching fish any day!

Nothing like riding in the Bombardiers on Lake of the Woods!

Just the real life ice fishing experience of Lake of the Woods. It's worth it!

Tell us what's unique about your fish house or describe your most memorable ice fishing experience. This day fishing was one of the most memorable days in the ice. First we were out in Devils lake North Dakota. The spot were we’re fishing and caught all these pike was in a flooded corn field! We couldn’t keep the lines in the water fast enough before our tip-ups would go off! We also had our rods going to and had some fun battles getting them in. The best part was spending time with my wife and her family outdoors.

Sometimes the fish aren't biting

My home made bob house had a lot good memories and good times waiting for a nice brown trout. Wheeler made it easy to get house on and off the ice

Cousins and there first top-up nottherns

Most memorable experience...my son telling me there's no better place than with dad in the ice house

Otter cabin,fishing with my brother stacey on Madison lake ,catching crappies and sunnies

This is our dogs Bruce and Marvels 1st ice fishing trip and walleye! 🙂

Newly built this year by Scott,for him and his three kids

My kids love to fish as much as I do and it’s amazing

My biggest walleye through the hard water, 28.5 inches, 9lbs

Our fish house is one of the first basic design of the Ice Castles made. My husbands uncle is the founder of Ice Castle fish houses. The Ice Castle fish houses have come along ways since.

This is my most memorable ice fishing experience! I caught this 45" musky on 4lb test line and a tiny tungsten jig tipped with a waxie while fishing for crappies. I was very fortunate to catch any release this magnificent creature!

Kids enjoying time on the ice with their father

My 9 year olds first brook trout.

Most memorable ice fishing experience? Watching my boy fight his first big walleye.

My sister and I decided to enter a fishing derby, with all of our kids! We had our 5 kids, with 2 under the age of 2 with us! We were fishing in a kids/Veterans fishing derby when we reeled in the monster northern pike! It took all of us to get this in. Each of the older girls reeled up the other lines that were down and cheered my sister and I on as we fought this fish! It ended with me reaching down and gilling the northern. From there we needed to get it to the weigh in station before it died. However, there was a ton of snow on the lake and we almost got stuck multiple times, the northern jumped out of the bucket into my lap. Needless to say, it was an adventure I will cherish forever! And we won the fishing derby!!! Fishing is a place for our families to escape the craziness of life and enjoy the beautiful Minnesota winter!

The most memorable ice fishing experience is when you can relive your youth ice fishing experience by taking your own kids out and then your grand kids. It’s not always about the “catch” it is all about the memories made.

This is our first time up on Lake of the woods with a old camper converted into ice shack.

My best weekend out ice fishing was on a Sunday when my cousin could go. I fished the day before with family and the best part is where I put our shanty down and drilled the holes on Saturday, we used the same holes For Sunday and with in 10 to 15 mins after all set up I landed this beast of a fish. We had to check the ice the entire way do to thaw which you can see in the picture how it was melting. 38 inch northern

It was our 1st time ice fishing. My bff a young busy chef & I being shown by the man I was dating. No, I didn't pull any up through the ice, so you might ask why was it so memorable. My date & bff did catch, but seeing them "bond" teacher & student while figuring out what I appreciated about each of them was the magical part. My young chef friend caught his 1st ever trout, after a summer of fails at learning to fly fish on his own. It was the first time the dude I dated ate a lobster roll, then a homemade hot dog from my bff's home raised pigs. Even that wasn't the most unusual part. I later found out, that he had never hung out, talked to laughed with anyone gay. He admitted to me, before meeting my young bff, he couldn't understand my liking him. No, I don't date him anymore, but seeing them both catch fish together, the satisfaction they shared was priceless. Far more then a crappie or trout, far more then the awesome lunch, far more then I had hoped for.

This was my sons (Jase Welty) first time fishing in the portable I’ve had since I was a kid. He couldn’t believe that it popped up from a sled into a tent. It’s in pretty rough shape, with patches and cracked windows. None of that matters to him, he thinks it’s the coolest thing on earth!

First time we have ever had a fish house bug enough for the family to enjoy.

My sons 1st fishing tournament on Forest lake.

My most memorable ice fishing experience has to be anytime I went ice fishing with my dad while growing up in Minnesota. It was always a blast fishing for crappies and bluegill with him.

Very basic ice house, but warm! Anytime the kids are with are the best memories. Snacks, cards, and fish. They will never forget fishing with their Grandpa John and their Dad.

It’s my first one, It’s not the best brand but there’s been many days of fishing where I can just relax and decompress in my little hub

Favorite Life on the Ice Memory: Taking my marine son-in-law ice fishing for the first time and it’s 25 below zero.

Favorite memory of fishing was pulling my 12.56lb walleye through the hole and have 2 good friends with me to share the moment with

This photo was taken on Christmas Day 2019 my middle child Callan loves fishing and I love the smile he gets when he gets to take pictures with the fish we catch!

I enjoy darkhouse spearing - my most memorable experience was watching my son spear his first pike.

His first crappie through the ice

It was a cold day without much happening when I was fortunate enough to catch this big pike. It was 37" Catch and Release All smiles for me and the pike as it went back home and I got the cool experience and pic

Watching my daughter catch crappies all on her own. She has also won 2 contests already before the age of 7. Super proud dad.

My 3 year old nephews first time ice fishing (that he remembers) and having a blast on the lake! Didn't catch many keepers, but he didn't want to leave! Good memories!

Bringing our daughter out fishing with us since she was a baby melts my heart. She's the 3rd generation that spends most of the winter on the lake!

I call this photo “Sunday morning mass”. I wish I could tell you something unique about my fish house but we don’t have one that’s why I’m trying to win one, but nothing is more memorable than the excitement on my kids faces when they get a bite.

Our future to the outdoors enjoying time together and experiencing the best of the outdoors.

My husband and I love going out for the weekend in our Ice Castle with our pups. I've learned so much over the last few years sitting out there all weekend with him, understanding they types of fish, how to use a graph, different lures and bait to use and all kinds of things. We always have fun whether we catch fish or not. A couple years ago we were out when the MN Vikings Minneapolis Miracle happened, there was a bad storm up on LOTW and not much traffic was still out there Sunday night. We were relaxing watching the game expecting it was about over with a loss when Diggs caught the ball, we both jumped up and started jumping and cheering so loud we figured it was good the night bite wasn't hot up there or we would have probably scared all the fish away anyway! We just love it out on the ice!