Ice fishing opportunities abound in and around Lake Winnipesaukee, New Hampshire. Winter anglers catch a variety of fish; primarily White and Yellow Perch, Pickerel, Lake Trout, Rainbow Trout and Cusk
.
Fishing through the ice requires skill and knowledge as does open water angling. But, anyone can ice fish successfully if he/she does the homework. Learning about the water to be fished, the equipment and its capabilities, proper clothing and safety precautions are all part of a successful, enjoyable winter fishing experience.
The Annual Great Rotary Fishing Derby held in February each year and centered in Meredith, New Hampshire is a great place to get a taste of Ice Fishing Meredith Rotary
A good idea is to visit a tackle shop in a popular ice fishing area. The proprietors are interested in seeing that you have a successful and enjoyable trip and will provide you with all of the necessary equipment. You may also watch for announcements of local ice fishing contests or tournaments run by local sportsmen's clubs -- ice fishermen tend to be a highly social group, eager to share tips, techniques and stories.
For a first trip, try to pick an opportune weather day -- remember those blustery January days will soon fade into mild February and spring-like March days which often provide some of the most productive ice fishing of the season. Whatever the day you decide to go ice fishing, be sure to check the ice for safety.
The Waters . . .
Most all ponds and lakes offer ice fishing potential. Their characteristics define the kinds of fish that may be caught.
Large, shallower ponds and lakes favor species such as chain pickerel,, yellow perch and sunfish.
Deepwater lakes need to be fished selectively to get good catches of Lake trout. rainbow trout and cusk
Cutting the Ice...
Getting through the ice is not as hard as it might seem. There are a variety of tools available that make this "essential task" fairly simple. Perhaps the simplest is an old-fashioned "spud" bar which your grandfather may have used on his ice fishing trips. Spuds are often the cheapest way to cut a hole in the ice and work reasonably well on ice up to about a foot thick. Hand-powered augers, which are slightly more expensive than spud bars, are easy to operate and offer the best all-around compromise for moderate ice conditions. Try to purchase an auger appropriate to the species of fish that you are seeking.
Anglers who fish for yellow perch, sunfish and other pan fish frequently favor ice augers 4", 5" or 6" in diameter because of their light weight and the speed that they bore through the ice.
Anglers who fish for larger fish, such as trout, lake trout, frequently prefer an ice auger which will make a larger hole -- an appreciated feature during the often-tricky landing of these large fish. But remember, cutting an 8" hole requires the removal of almost twice as much ice as a 6" hole, so don't buy an ice auger much bigger than you will need.
For the avid ice angler or for thicker, more extreme ice conditions, more expensive, gas-powered augers provide the ultimate in speed and convenience, albeit at a sacrifice in weight and portability. Power augers come in diameters up to 10" and the size of the hole makes little difference in the speed or difficulty of cutting the hole.
Ice Fishing Methods...
Ice fishing methods include "jigging" with short, light fishing rods and using tip-ups. There are many different kinds of jigging poles and tip-ups. Much of the equipment is easy to make.
Jigging involves the use of a jigging rod or hand line and a small jigging spoon or lure which is often "sweetened" with a piece of bait. The jig is designed to dart around in different directions when it is jerked up and down by the angler.
The tip-up is basically a spool on a stick holding a baited line suspended through a hole in the ice. When the bait — usually a minnow — is taken by a fish, the pull on the line releases a signal, such as a red flag.
Clothing...
For safe ice fishing outings, anglers need to be well prepared. Proper clothing is critical because most people do not move around much while ice fishing. Dress warmly, paying extra attention to your head, feet and hands — dressing in layers is essential.
Remember, use the buddy system while ice fishing — it saves lives.
View the 2006 Freshwater Fishing Digest
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Published on: 2005-12-13 (8301 reads)
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