In order to legally go ice fishing, a standard, state issued, fishing license is all you need In most states, the same annual license you used in the spring will work this winter as well
What do you need to ice fish?
Ice Fishing Rod, Line, and Reel If you’ve been fishing in warmer climates, you’re probably used to the longer fishing pole with the spinning reel Lures and Bait The only way to get a fish to bite is with bait, a lure, or a combination of both Tackle Box Ice Auger Ice Shelter Warm Clothing Find Your Ice Fishing Gear
When can I ice fish in Michigan?
Michigan gets 4-5 months of weather cold enough to support ice fishing each year Depending on the lake, safe ice can start as early as the beginning of December and last through April When local lakes freeze over, anglers have access to areas that they can’t normally reach during open water season
Can you still ice fish in Ontario?
We do not have ice fishing seasons in Ontario – only fishing seasons Whether you are fishing on the ice, boat or shore depends on the local conditions during the open/closed season for a particular species For more information on fishing seasons, refer to the Recreational Fishing Regulations Summary
Is it safe to ice fish in Michigan?
With over 11,000 lakes in Michigan, ice fishing offers a lot of opportunities to catch a variety of different species during the winter Bluegill, perch, walleye, northern pike, and crappie are all popular fish species during Michigan’s Winter season and are sure to hold you over until the ice melts away in the Spring
Do worms work for ice fishing?
Can you use worms for ice fishing? Although worms are not the best live bait option for ice fishing, an earthworm on a jig can catch crappie, yellow perch, bluegill, trout, whitefish, and even small bass If worms are what you have for bait, you can absolutely catch some fish using them
What time of day is best for ice fishing?
Many experienced ice anglers agree that ice fishing is best during the first couple hours after sunrise and for about two hours before and after sunset Every lake is different and each type of fish has unique habits that could make the bite good all day
How many rods can you ice fish with in Michigan?
An individual shall not use more than 3 single lines or 3 single rods and lines, or a single line and a single rod and line, and shall not attach more than 6 hooks on all lines
Is there any safe ice in Michigan?
For the safest ice conditions and some good fishing, the place to go is the Upper Peninsula At Lake Gogebic, several walleye and perch have been caught lately along the north end of the lake However, some of the lakes in the Upper Peninsula do have slush, so travel on the ice could be difficult in places
Where can I go ice fishing in lake Michigan?
Top 7 Ice Fishing Spots in Michigan Hamlin Lake Cadillac and Mitchell Saginaw Bay Lake Gogebic Crystal Lake Cass Lake
How many rods can you ice fish with in Ontario?
Ice fishing In most waters, you can ice fish with 2 lines as long as: you stay within 60 metres at all times of any line or tip-up
How many lines can you have ice fishing?
Everyone has access to the regulations It Is Unlawful To: Use more than one line when angling into open water Use more than two lines when angling into ice-covered water
Can you ice fish in Toronto?
Ice fishing might be the ultimate winter activity in Ontario Lake Simcoe is one of the most popular destinations for ice fishing near Toronto with an array of operators offering heated ice hut rentals
How thick is Lake Michigan ice?
The ice forms where the water is most shallow, so on normal winter seasons, the entire shoreline is frozen over, with the ice going as thick as six inches This is, however, an average as actual ice thickness can wildly vary
Where is the best place to ice fish in Michigan?
Michigan’s Best Bets For Ice-Fishing PERE MARQUETTE LAKE Mason County MUSKEGON LAKE Muskegon County INTERMEDIATE LAKE Antrim County SOUTH LAKE LEELANAU Leelanau County FLETCHER’S FLOODWATERS Alpena County HIGGINS LAKE Roscommon County BREVOORT LAKE Mackinaw County RICE LAKE Houghton County Like catching plenty of pike?
How deep is the ice on Lake Michigan?
Great Lakes Ice Coverage Decline 1973-2010 All Great Lakes 71% Lake Huron 62% Lake Erie 50% Lake St Clair 37%
How deep should you ice fish?
For many lakes, the best depth to start ice fishing is in the 8 to 20 foot zone However, depending on the species, time of year and underwater structure, depths less than 5 feet or more than 20 feet might hold more fish
What is the best bait for ice fishing?
For ice fishing live bait, try wax worms (bee moth larva), maggots, spikes (fly larvae), wigglers (mayfly larvae) or minnows You can drop your bait and leave it alone, or you can slowly jig to attract the fish Ice fishing jigging also works with artificial ice fishing bait
Do people use Nightcrawlers for ice fishing?
Nightcrawlers can be an excellent bait for ice fishing, depending on the fish species you want to catch They are one of the best ice fishing baits for all kinds of trout, and also work well for crappie and other panfish Perch and bass like them on some days, but they hardly ever work for walleye during the winter
How do you attract fish when ice fishing?
Other ways to attract fish while ice fishing Switch from a vertical jig to a horizontal one Sometimes all you need is a little variety in your lures Twist your line Most ice anglers move their line up and down Cover the hole Another trick to attracting fish is to cover your fishing hole with ice shavings
Is Low Pressure good for ice fishing?
In general, stable low to medium pressure conditions result in fair ice fishing success, while very low pressure conditions result in poor fishing success The best ice fishing conditions arise when barometric pressure rapidly drops just before a storm front arrives
Does weather affect ice fishing?
Yes Weather does affect ice fishing Generally, ice fishing is best before bad weather and when barometric pressure quickly drops On the other hand, fishing can be tough during clear, sunny skies when air pressure is high