Ice Fishing Archives - Outdoornews

Trashing Minnesota’s lakes: COs seeing ‘fallout’ from hard-water season

April 5, 2019

With fish-house removal deadlines in the rearview mirror and melting snow revealing what once was hidden, conservation officers throughout the state are finding the trash people left behind, the Minnesota DNR noted in a Facebook post recently. A reminder from the DNR: Anything but an impression left on the ice is litter and will be investigated. Categories: Ice Fishing Tags:…

In Michigan, spring arrives from south to north

March 22, 2019

Tom Pink

Spring arrived on March 20, but you wouldn’t know it if you live in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula.

Late ice can offer rewards, but use caution

March 20, 2019

Bill Hilts

As winter slowly starts to fade away, so does some of the winter fishing opportunities – like ice fishing. Don’t abandon your winter gear just yet, though. Some of the best hard-water fishing is yet to come. Just make sure to take the necessary precautions. Dave Lefebre, of Erie, Pa., is a professional bass fisherman. This year he is part…

Dozens of ice anglers rescued after being trapped on Lake Erie ice floe

March 12, 2019

Associated Press

Forty-six people were rescued, including two fishermen who were hoisted by helicopter and medically examined. It ended up that no one was injured, authorities said.

Modern technology saves the day on recent ice-fishing trip

March 11, 2019

Bill Parker

It can have a positive impact on your ice fishing outing, and sometimes it has nothing to do with catching fish.

Use caution on late ice – fishing can be productive, but hard-water conditions can be iffy

March 7, 2019

Dan Ladd

As the March sun gets higher in the sky and the days get longer, ice anglers anywhere there’s still ice will be trying to get that one last outing in. But they should approach these outings with caution. Late-season ice fishing can be fantastic. Panfish and perch fishing can really heat up for the angler who knows and understands their…

You say ice shanty, I say ice shack

March 6, 2019

Tom Pink

It took a while, but the writer finally got his ice shack dug out of the woods and set up on the ice. (Photos by Tom Pink)Several weeks into this year’s ice fishing season, we were still trying to get our ice shack out on the river and were having a tough time of it. Well, in spite of the…

Amid difficult, snowy conditions, fish-house removal deadlines loom

February 28, 2019

Minnesota DNR Reports

The March 4 deadline applies to lakes south of an east-west line formed by U.S. Highway 10, east along Highway 34 to Minnesota Highway 200, east along Highway 200 to U.S. Highway 2, and east along Highway 2 to the Minnesota-Wisconsin border. The deadline north of that line is the end of the day Monday, March 18.

Rescue efforts continue for anglers stranded on Lake of the Woods

February 26, 2019

Staff and News Reports

Resort owners and workers have been working since Sunday morning to rescue anglers that were left stranded on the lake after 30- to 50-mph winds left ice roads blocked with drifted snow, keeping anglers from exiting the lake – more than 100 anglers were originally reported as being stranded, some approximately 25 miles out on the lake.

2019 Black Lake sturgeon season over in less than 80 minutes

February 5, 2019

Michigan DNR

According to the DNR, the first four sturgeon harvested were males ranging from 52 to 60 inches and 25 to 47 pounds. The final two fish were females ranging from 61 to 72 inches and 54 to 80 pounds.

Tips for using spoons to entice the wary walleyes of winter

February 5, 2019

Terry Tuma

There are definitely times when fish demand an increase in vibration and flash. But just the opposite can be the attractor, so bring an assortment of colors.

Though later than usual, Erie welcomes ice fishing season

January 31, 2019

Associated Press

A week of sub-freezing temperatures – and a deep freeze due – were expected to rescue the ice fishing season.

Ice fishing tip: Pay attention to detail during a tough walleye bite. Part 1: Set-lines

January 29, 2019

Jason Revermann

There’s been a hot bite but when you finally hit the ice, the weather changes and the action tanks. Pay attention to tiny details, and you’ll salvage your trip by tricking a few fish into biting.

Southeast Wisconsin ice conditions improving, but caution is needed

January 24, 2019

Dan Durbin

Walleye and bluegill action has been decent on some lakes.

Walleye Wars: A friendly ‘competition’ – but they did keep score

January 9, 2019

Associated Press

In the ice-fishing “fish-off” meant to help showcase the two fisheries, 71 of the 85 fish caught between Lake of the Woods and Devils Lake reps were caught by LOTW types.

Pursuing toothy predators in the urban jungle [video]

December 31, 2018

Ron Hustvedt

Chasing monster northern pike across the Twin Cities metro area produces prime New Year’s hard-water action.

The technological marvel of underwater cameras in modern ice fishing

December 31, 2018

Tim Lesmeister

Seeing is believing when viewing the subterranean world through the hard water.

Do expensive ice rods catch more fish?

December 28, 2018

Jason Revermann

Species- and technique-specific rods can give you a real advantage out on the ice.

Fishing drought ends in Upper Peninsula

December 28, 2018

Tom Pink

With early ice forming on the St. Mary’s River’s Munuscong Bay, the author and friends enjoyed a good day of fishing.

A winter ice fishing tactical Q&A with ‘Tackle’ Terry Tuma

December 27, 2018

Terry Tuma

As the heart of hard water arrives across the great North American ice belt, “T3” answers your questions to help improve your angling skills this cold-weather season.

On the ice, dial up common sense, personal responsibility over 911

December 26, 2018

Mike Schoonveld

Cell phones and 911 service have, no doubt, saved countless lives since they were invented. But they don’t take the place of personal responsibility and common sense. It often seems that as we rely more on technology, it’s at the expense of responsibility and common sense.

Two neighbors die ice-fishing on central Minnesota lake

December 12, 2018

Associated Press

(Photo courtesy of Vexilar)CUSHING, Minn. — Crews have recovered the bodies of two neighbors who died while ice-fishing on a lake in central Minnesota. Morrison County Sheriff Shawn Larsen says the fishermen were reported overdue Sunday evening on Fish Trap Lake north of Cushing. The sheriff’s office also learned that a side-by-side ATV was missing. Responders first found the body…

Walleye War: Lake of the Woods, Devils Lake spokesmen to fish off on Facebook

December 11, 2018

Associated Press

Joe Henry of Lake of the Woods Tourism will represent the premier walleye fishery in Walleye War. (Lake of the Woods Tourism)When tourism spokesmen for two top ice fishing destinations in the Upper Midwest go head to head in January, there could be a lot on the line – their fishing lines, anyway. Tanner Cherney at North Dakota’s Devils Lake…