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It’s Ice Time!
By Keith Dewars*

Well, it’s hard to believe but ice-fishing season is just around the corner.  Now is the time to make sure all of your tackle is in good working condition.  Here are a few tips for your preseason preparations.

Check your rods and reels for wear and tear.  Rod guides and handles should be checked for cracks, reels need to be in good working order.  You don’t want to be on the ice and find out your equipment isn’t working.

Replace your line; two-pound test is good for pan fish and four to six pound for walleyes.  You need strength in the line but also enough sensitivity to feel those light bites.  Your line should be matched to your rod/reel combo and sized for the species of fish you’ll be going after.  If you are inexperienced your local bait shop should be able to help you with line selection.  Visibility should be a consideration also.  Most lakes have clearer water in the winter and low visibility green or clear fishing line should be used.  You should be careful while out on the ice too.  Hooked fish will drag your line around the bottom edge of your hole and cause abrasions on the line.  Cut off the last few yards and re-tie periodically to avoid line breakage when you finally hook the big one.

Fish finders and other electronics should be checked and batteries replaced if necessary, augers need to be started, filters cleaned and spark plugs changed.

After you have taken care of your ice tackle, do a little scouting if you can.  Get out on the water and find out where the fish are.  It will be a good place to start when ice-over occurs.  Ask around.  The local fishermen and bait shop owners will know where those early season lunkers usually hang out.

I think you get the picture.  Get all of your prep work out of the way now and you won’t have anything to worry about when that water finally gets hard.

Above all, take a kid with you this year.  They are the future of fishing.

*Keith Dewars is a freelance writer, avid outdoorsman and owner/webmaster of Malum Internet Properties. He can be contacted at keithd@maluminternet.com.

Home > Tips and pointers > You are here: It's ice time!