With today’s ice-fishing technology, accessing new areas and identifying fish locations has never been easier

Technology, in general, continues to change and evolve at a rapid pace.

These advancements not only make things easier, but arguably more enjoyable in many aspects of our lives.

In the ice-fishing industry, technologies have changed immensely. Just a mere decade ago, things were dramatically different. The tools of that period seem rather rudimentary compared with what’s available today. New anglers will likely never understand the struggles we battled.

Things such as rods, augers, shelters, and clothing have evolved to levels that seemed somewhat unimaginable not all that long ago. Perhaps the best example of such innovation lies in the electronics arena. Take forward-facing sonar, for instance. The ability to locate fish so efficiently is something quite remarkable.

I’d argue it’s easier to find fish now than ever before. The amount of data readily available to anglers is at an all-time high. Technology has eliminated a lot of guesswork.

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onX Fish

One unique piece of technology to hit the market recently is the onX Fish app. For those familiar with onX Hunt, the “Fish” version offers many of the same features, in addition to several tailored specifically to fishermen.

As an ice fisherman, angling data is a must-have, particularly when it comes to finding new bodies of water. It allows us to make educated decisions about where we want to fish.

While such data was historically available in Minnesota, the format required anglers to comb through information on a lake-by-lake basis. Wisconsin anglers had an even taller task, and the data was seemingly impossible to obtain.

The Fish app lets anglers from both states query based on species types, abundance levels, and size structure – all of which make it increasingly easier to find the right lake. You can search from the comforts of home or while in the field. Access to historical surveys provides an understanding of a lake’s ability to produce specific calibers of fish.

For lakes off the beaten path, legal access is a topic worth considering. Built-in landowner data, access information, and boat landing location are extremely important to all anglers.

Early ice is one of my favorite times to explore new areas, particularly before snowpack is too deep. Knowing how I can legally access the lakes I want to fish is beyond useful. With CarPlay capabilities, I can get directions to a landing with the touch of a button.

Ice coverage is always a concern at first ice, especially for larger bodies of water. With recent imagery, users can get an idea of how a lake is a freezing and if there are any areas to be concerned about. The satellite imagery is updated every two weeks, offering fishermen a snapshot of current conditions.

onX also includes detailed weather data from a network of sources across the United States. Current conditions, precipitation, wind, barometric pressure, sunrise and sunset, and moon phases are all beneficial for planning time on the ice.

Other features include fishing hot spots, which offer general recommendations for catching a number of popular species throughout the course of a year. Direct links to fishing regulations leave no questions regarding length limitations, limits, and more.

onX Fish is a remarkable tool for finding a place to fish, planning your trip, locating access routes, and for actually fishing. It’s the most comprehensive fishing tool on the market.

Technology in ice fishing has truly been revolutionized. The tools of today have drastically increased our ability to find and catch fish. Anglers, as a whole, are more effective than they’ve ever been. That being said, too much information can sometime prove to be a little dangerous.

A reminder to anglers everywhere: With great knowledge comes great responsibility.