Why do people ice fish?

[densa44]

I've wondered about this for a very long time so to-day I'm asking people who know. In the summer you can drive your boat around and fish all parts of the lake, and it's not cold. When ice fishing you have one spot and there is no casting so the fish have to find you.

Did I mention drilling holes through ice thick enough to support trucks.

The cold that will freeze a man solid in 30 minutes.

I never really heard about ice fishing until I was an adult, a fellow used to rent ice huts on lake Erie, they were very nice, stoves, T.V's and carpet over the floor (it covered the hole in the ice. So the experience wouldn't have been anything like what I read here.

I'm sure there are lots of good reasons, I just don't know what they are.

[The Reel Deal]

For those without boats this is the only time they can explore a lake.
Fishing is fun 365 days a year
Some of the biggest fish get caught through the ice

There’s a lot of reasons!

[TylerThomson]

Originally Posted by densa44

I've wondered about this for a very long time so to-day I'm asking people who know. In the summer you can drive your boat around and fish all parts of the lake, and it's not cold. When ice fishing you have one spot and there is no casting so the fish have to find you.

Did I mention drilling holes through ice thick enough to support trucks.

The cold that will freeze a man solid in 30 minutes.

I never really heard about ice fishing until I was an adult, a fellow used to rent ice huts on lake Erie, they were very nice, stoves, T.V's and carpet over the floor (it covered the hole in the ice. So the experience wouldn't have been anything like what I read here.

I'm sure there are lots of good reasons, I just don't know what they are.

If you have to ask you'll never understand. I look forward to hard water season more than I do open water.

[Jawjacker]

Ice fishing is therapeutic for the mind and sole. Its a great time to get together with family and friends on the ice and have fun. Cook some hot dogs and catch fish .

[Wilson2017]

Found them on utube and trying to find a store that carries these lures!!! Anyone can help? Calgary area

[Scott N]

Originally Posted by Jawjacker

Ice fishing is therapeutic for the mind and sole. Its a great time to get together with family and friends on the ice and have fun. Cook some hot dogs and catch fish .

I agree. Sitting in a warm tent with the white noise of a heater and flasher is very meditational for me. Want to clear your mind from the cra[ of the outside world? Try ice fishing. It's a great way to enjoy the outdoors during the short days of winter.

[Teamprotz]

It’s a good break from the stress of kids hockey. Lol

[Sundancefisher]

Nothing beats a warm winter day...sun on your face...kids catching their first fish all around you. Moving to fish another spot just involves a walk and a new hole. You can wander and chat with anyone. Advice is usually freely given. One can share their jerky while counting fish. It can be competitive or helping all at the same time. I have helped a group of women from China catch fish for the first time...an online buddies mom from Texas walk on ice for the first time. A kid in a wheel chair catch tons of perch. Or if you want...close the tent flap...remove the world from though and just fish with a blank mind.

[Sooner]

If I go after whitefish, it's a family outing lol. Nothing like staring down a hole and having fish slide in(especially a big pike head). Game on. I much prefer sight fishing vs going deeper and not seeing your hook. Tents and tip ups, a fun day. Unless it's White fish, most frustrating fish for me, come in, tap my hook, come in, swallow hook, swim away....me

[NSR_RAT]

Originally Posted by TylerThomson

If you have to ask you'll never understand. I look forward to hard water season more than I do open water.

X2

[slough shark]

Well there are 2 kinds of ice fishing really, there is the kind where you set up tip ups and hang out with your friends and family, BBQ some food or cook over a fire, play on the ice and wait for a flag to go up. It's a great way of getting together. The other kind is fishing in a shack, you're more focused on the fishing aspect there and in many instances you have the same appeal of flyfishing as you see the fish come into view of your hole and take your hook. You can still hang out with friends but fishing is the focus at least when you're fishing. I guess there is one more that I generally don't go for but hang out in the shack and drink, heavily.

[3blade]

Less crap to haul out. Auger, ice spoon, rods, maybe tent/sled. Lot easier than dealing with a boat.

Best time to catch perch as you can easily fish ultra light gear straight down.

In the end, its something to do outside. I don't get why guys drive hundreds of miles for birds, especially ones that don't taste as good as a head shot ruffie. But to each their own, outside is always better than inside.

[ROA]

Because I'd go crazy during the winter if I didn't have something to do

[CMichaud]

Originally Posted by ROA

Because I'd go crazy during the winter if I didn't have something to do

Same here

[hellitsme]

Originally Posted by TylerThomson

If you have to ask you'll never understand. I look forward to hard water season more than I do open water.

X2 Hard water is better then open water.

[NSR Fisher]

While I won't go as far as saying ice fishing is "better" than open water fishing (I think both are awesome), it is definitely good therapy. Something about the solitude gives you time to think and reflect if you're alone. You can clear up a troubled consciousness pretty easily out there, and its even better when you are able to spend time with others. Just talk about what ever, warm your hands on some fresh hot chocolate. Great bonding time.

Sitting in water less than 20 feet deep and sight fishing is also another nice benefit, most lakes around here get pretty cloudy in the summer so its difficult to sight fish. There's something really exciting about watching how a fish reacts to your lure, and trying to tease it into biting.

[Alberta Bigbore]

I normally ice fish the early to mid season.. get really board and stop for the rest of the season. Forcing myself to go all season this year. I heard late season is Burbotpolloza

[elkdump]

This

[Bigwoodsman]

Originally Posted by densa44

I've wondered about this for a very long time so to-day I'm asking people who know. In the summer you can drive your boat around and fish all parts of the lake, and it's not cold. When ice fishing you have one spot and there is no casting so the fish have to find you.

Did I mention drilling holes through ice thick enough to support trucks.

The cold that will freeze a man solid in 30 minutes.

I never really heard about ice fishing until I was an adult, a fellow used to rent ice huts on lake Erie, they were very nice, stoves, T.V's and carpet over the floor (it covered the hole in the ice. So the experience wouldn't have been anything like what I read here.

I'm sure there are lots of good reasons, I just don't know what they are.

Why do people hunt pheasants?

Why do people hunt ducks?

Why do people hunt big game?

We do it because we enjoy it! We do it because we are sportsmen and sports women. We do it because we are conservationists. We do it because we enjoy the outdoors, the sport of fishing and the people we meet or just the solitude.

BW

[Evil69]

1. it gets me out of the house in the winter
2. I can explore parts of the lake without the expense of a boat
3. fish taste better in the winter IMO
4. greater chance of being alone on the lake
5. I work shutdowns March to October

[SamSteele]

Because hunting season is over and you can’t open water fish.

If I had my druthers I would be open water fishing instead. But something needs to scratch the itch!

[TylerThomson]

Originally Posted by SamSteele

Because hunting season is over and you can’t open water fish.

If I had my druthers I would be open water fishing instead. But something needs to scratch the itch!

Im so glad there is a spring goose hunt now info Alberta. I won't be at home driving my wife crazy for 2 months now between fishing seasons lol.

[thumper]

Ice fishing : Making the best of a bad situation (winter)

[Hunter4ever12]

I look forward to ice fishing as soon as the ice melts. Something about sitting there on the ice just does it for me. Since I bought a camera I have learnt so much about different specifies of fish,there attitude with lures and all these times I thought these lakes were all dried up or I was never in the right spot....nope the fish just sit there and watch is usually what was happening lol.

[The Flint&Fly Guy]

I go ice fishing to catch fish, it's that simple.

[338Bluff]

After today I'm starting to wonder myself. 2 hour drive. Burned up 3 bottles of propane. Ears and nose are still tingling/burning. Complete skunk out on whitefish. I'm an idiot lol!

Sent from my SM-G903W using Tapatalk

[58thecat]

Because.

[ssyd]

1. I don't own a boat.
2. I drive a car.
3. I can use an underwater camera.
4. While technically not allowed, in my experience if you're fishing legal the CO won't dump your booze and charge you with drunk boating.
5. Nothing beats warm days late season with minimal snow on the ice. Tip: Bring a frisbee.

[Red Bullets]

Ice anglers can say all these reasons for ice fishing but secretly inside they all are patiently waiting to hook into the fish that is so big that it won't fit into the hole... and the fish that got away becomes campfire legendary. Eventually the local history book has a folklore story written about the old angler and the lake.

I have ice fished over the years for the peaceful zen and protein. Nothing better than a fresh willow smoked whitefish or pickled pike. Fish chowder with perch, pike, walleye, whitefish and lingcod in one pot is divine. Food for living long....in cold winters.

[fallen1817]

Originally Posted by 338Bluff

After today I'm starting to wonder myself. 2 hour drive. Burned up 3 bottles of propane. Ears and nose are still tingling/burning. Complete skunk out on whitefish. I'm an idiot lol!

Sent from my SM-G903W using Tapatalk

And you know what? I'd bet money you'll do it all over again next chance you have!