Minnesota Ice Fishing

Enjoy Winter Fishing Through the
Ice on Minnesota Lakes and Rivers

Did you catch the "big one" on your Minnesota ice fishing trip? **Scroll down to add your own ice fishing story and photos or news about ice fishing contests and events to this page!

Minnesota Ice Fishing on Lake of the Woods

Minnesota ice fishing is one of our favorite winter pastimes. Men, women and children all find that ice fishing is both easy and exciting. It’s not as difficult or as cold as you might imagine. Keep a few things in mind, keep it simple and you can catch fish with little effort.

At the most basic level, ice fishing only requires a lake with ice that is thick enough to be safe, an auger to cut a hole in the ice, an ice fishing rod, some bait and a five gallon pail to sit on. And, oh yes, your fishing license! Most Minnesota ice fishermen (and women) prefer to add to this list. Every year my family adds to their stash of ice fishing gear.

Here is a short list of what we consider to be basic ice fishing gear:

• Ice auger
• Sled for auger or 4-wheeler or other vehicle if the ice is thick enough.
• Ice scoop
• Ice fishing rods, reels and tip-ups
• Jigs and spoons and hooks,bobbers
• Needle nose pliers
• Small knife or fingernail clipper (to cut line)
• Bait bucket and bait
• A portable chair or stool

Ice fishing in Minnesota is often a family sport. Even quite young children can go ice fishing with proper safety precautions, warm clothing and supervision. Be sure to include snacks for them in your provisions and be ready to take them to a warm place as soon as they begin to get cold.

Here is a link to a wonderful article titled Let's Go Ice Fishing that offers lots of tips about ice fishing in general and also with a child as a companion.

Minnesota Ice Fishing Starts Young!

Have A Great Fish Story?

Do you have a great story about a favorite fishing spot? How about a story about the one that got away? Or a story about the one that didn't get away? Share it! And post a photo as well if you want to.

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More Winter Sports Links:

Minnesota Cross-Country Skiing

Cross-Country Skiing Basics

How to Ice Skate

More About Learning to Ice Skate

Snowmobiling in Minnesota

Skijoring in Minnesota

Minnesota Winter Activities

List of Winter Sports

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