Ben catches a laker.
We are often asked for ice fishing tips and tricks. Now we could refer folks to a number of books, magazines and web sites, but actually one of the best teachers we know for the fine hardwater sport is Ben Franklin—that pithy, potbellied poet and inventor from our country’s past. Among his many achievements, he was well known for his Poor Richard insights into life. Those insights just happen to be perfect rules to live by when ice fishing.
“By failing to prepare, you are preparing to fail.”
Ice fishing requires special equipment and those who aren’t prepared will suffer. Critical tools include an auger or spud to cut a hole in the ice and a skimmer to remove the ice chunks left in the hole. Traditionally, N.H. anglers have favored traps, also called tip-ups, that can be found at any good tackle store in the region. These contraptions suspend a baited hook under the ice and when a bass or pickerel takes the bait, a flag pops up. It’s an exciting way to fish, if the fish are biting. More recently, jigging with short poles has become popular, especially for schooling fish like black crappie or white perch. Small lures and bait are key in this kind of fishing. Other fun tools include an electronic fish finder, GPS devices for remembering the good spots, underwater video cameras to watch the fish take the bait and a Thermos of hot coffee to warm your belly. Don’t forget the warm layers of clothes and invest in good boots. One final necessity is a big sled to haul your other necessities out onto the ice.
“He that’s secure is not safe.”
Wow, ol’ Ben got this one right! The oldest and wisest ice anglers never feel completely safe on the ice. Ice thickness varies across a lake and can be thinned by springs, feeder creeks or wind. Even holes left by other angles can be treacherous. At any time, an ice angler should expect that he or she could break through. If you do go in, don’t panic. Experts say the best thing to do is float for a minute until you get used to the shock of the cold water and the situation. Once you are calm, face back the way you came and get as much of your upper body on the ice as possible. Float or kick yourself into a horizontal position and try to crawl out. Many people carry ice picks that they can cram into the ice to improve leverage. Once out, roll away from the hole and get to a warm, dry place. Other safety guidelines from N.H. Fish and Game include never driving a vehicle on the ice and checking the ice thickness every few feet with an auger or spud. A minimum of six inches is recommended to go fishing (more if you are built like Ben).
“Rebellion against tyrants is obedience to God.”
Ice fishing is a great way to get back at all those rich waterfront property owners who think they own the lake. When the water freezes you can be the neighbor of Mitt Romney or the heirs to the Marriott Hotel fortune. Just drag a shanty out onto the ice and homestead on that acre of ice with the million dollar views (without paying a dime in property taxes). Clay used to have a shanty on Lake Chocorua in Tamworth. It may be the most photographed lake in the world, and for an entire winter, Clay’s ugly shanty constructed of scrap wood and painted three shades of green and orange was in every tourist picture. We couldn’t be more proud.
“Guests, like fish, begin to smell after three days.”
In our opinion, ice fishing is the friendliest type of fishing. Since people are just standing around on the ice, it is perfectly acceptable to saunter over and ask how they are doing. Most anglers are happy to chat. There are some key rules of etiquette, though. Approach in full view, but quietly. Don’t fish in their ice hole without asking first. Talk about gear and share your fishing stories. Be a visitor but not a guest. If you stay too long, anglers may give you some hints to move on, like “Try fishing way over there,” or “Did you just feel the ice crack?” Or, “You stink.”
“Diligence is the mother of good luck.”
You may have met the “guy” who drills one hole in the ice and catches fish after fish, while you are 20 feet away catching squat. You may have even wanted to throttle that “guy.” Before you do, understand that he has probably paid his dues. There are few shortcuts to becoming a good ice angler. It simply takes time on the ice and many trips to figure out the secrets of the fish below your feet. Watching and chatting with people can speed the process, but we suggest fishing the same lake at least a dozen times to begin to learn the waterbody. Once you do, you will be able to zero in on the fish after considering the weather, moon phase, and time of year. Then you can be that “guy” that everyone wants to throttle.
“One today is worth two tomorrows.”
If you get a chance to go fishing, go! If you hesitate, a household chore will appear or an excuse will form. We are usually blessed with a nice long winter in New Hampshire, however as the climate changes, our ice fishing season will get shorter and shorter. Even in a normal year, ice conditions can change from day to day. Dave went fishing for crappie a few years ago on a reservoir one Saturday morning and caught a nice mess of fish while standing on a solid 5 inches of late season ice. That evening he returned to try his luck, but was greeted by open water. A strong wind blew in during the afternoon and the entire ice sheet broke away from shore and crumbled on the far bank.
“Tricks and treachery are the practice of fools, that don’t have brains enough to be honest.”
New Hampshire Fish and Game have made fishing rules and regulations for a reason. They protect the resource and help ensure that we all have fish to catch now and in the future. Ice fishing has its own set of rules that are different than those for open water. For example, on most ponds and lakes you are allowed up to six fishing devices. That could be five traps and one jigging rod, or all traps. Anglers who cheat by fishing an extra rod or hiding a trap behind the shanty are fools. When they get caught, their fine will remind them to be honest. Another rule, especially on the big lake, is that salmon must be let free without taking them out of the water. That means cut the line and let the fish go. There are loads of other rules, and it’s your responsibility as an honest angler to research them.
—Dave Kellam and Clay Groves, The Fish Nerds
Plan on spending some time on the ice this winter. If you need more pointers you can ask the Fish Nerds at www.fishnerds.com.