One of my biggest outdoors pet peeves is trash. Empty cans along the river bank or discarded chip bags floating near the dock, even if it’s just one, seem to steal away the peaceful serenity that draws most of us outdoors.

The shorelines of Devils Lake are a prime example of how many slob fishermen their are and how bad it can get after they don't pick up their own trash.

Maybe to a fault, I carry extra trash bags along to make sure I leave an area cleaner than I found it. I guess it’s a hope that maybe my outdoors house-cleaning will save others from experiencing similar disgust. Actually, if everyone else was equally as disappointed with those outdoors litter bugs, we’d not have a problem.

My kids don’t have a choice when we find litter and trash as we spend time fishing and hunting. We pick it up, even if it’s not ours. If we’re seen leaving an area I don’t want the next person blame us, even if we didn’t make the mess. So rather than risk the accusation, we pick it up.

And it’s not just during the summer months either. It’s anytime, because what’s bad in summer can be even worse in winter.
In summer, bags float away and cans drift into cattails or over to another shore. The litter gets caught in trees, and dust and dirt over time camouflage the refuse.

Winter provides its own unique situation. Whether ice fishing, predator calling, cross-country skiing or just enjoying a brisk winter walk across the tundra, the white snowy canvas is indeed a special experience. Littered with fish guts or cigarette butts, however, the fluffy white backdrop makes the trash look even worse in my eyes.

Since we’re into the heart of ice fishing, it’s a good time to ask winter anglers to make sure to clean up the ice after fishing, and respect private property rights when traveling to and from a favorite fishery. It doesn’t happen very often, but it shouldn’t happen at all. Not only is on-ice litter unsightly, but it is also illegal to leave fish behind on the ice. According to the fishing proclamation, when a fish is caught, anglers must either immediately release the fish back into the water unharmed, or reduce them to their daily possession.

“It has also become common practice for some anglers to fillet fish on the ice,” said Robert Timian, chief warden for the North Dakota Game and Fish Department. “If you are going to do this, don’t leave the entrails and sides of filleted fish on the ice. Clean up after yourself. Put the carcass in a trash bag and properly dispose of it when you get home.”
Beyond the litter aspect, on lakes with size restrictions for certain fish, filleting those species on the ice is not allowed.

Another issue that sometimes surfaces in the winter is people sometimes driving out into private land to get around blocked section lines or other public access roads to reach a lake shore. When access roads are not passable because of snow, travelers cannot just navigate through a field in order to circumvent the blocked roadway without first talking to the landowner. While you want find a route onto the ice, others may follow and create an unwanted trail. It’s just not the neighborly thing to do.

“Private property rights are the same year-around,” Timian said. “Regardless of the time of year, if there is not a drivable trail, you should talk to the landowner; if the land is signed no trespassing, you need to seek permission.”

The bottom line is, courtesy and responsibility don’t take the winter off. It’s our job to leave places a little better than we found them no matter what time of year.

Leier is a biologist with the Game and Fish Department. He can be reached by email: dleier@nd.gov

Some opportunities on the ice are just too enjoyable to miss

As I put together the powerhead and the shaft of my auger, I took note of the extension that was still securely bolted into place from the previous season. And by “securely bolted” I mean rusted solid.

I figured it was best to just leave the set-up as is, considering last year’s 40 inches of ice on some area lakes put the full length of the auger and the extension to use, bumping the bottom of the powerhead on the frozen surface multiple times last March before I packed everything away. Thus far it has been a cold winter, even though the season hasn’t technically started, and I expect now, with eight to ten inches of ice already on area waters, a full 40 inches of ice or more is likely this season.

In fact, while sitting in my shack on a solid formation of eight inches of clear ice and watching the non-biting walleyes and perch slink along the bottom of my depth finder without so much as a nudge toward my jigging spoon, I heard a strange humming drown out the whir of the Marcum. It wasn’t a four-wheeler or the jet-ski like buzz of a snowmobile whizzing by. The subsequent “slam-slam” of driver’s and passenger-side doors coupled with a “this looks like a good spot” comment from the passengers confirmed that on December 6, the first ON-road vehicles were making their way on to the ice. Despite the apparent “safety” of the ice, it seemed a bit early for my budget, factoring in EPA fines, towing expenses, repairs, cleaning and fish removal costs – not to mention the stress of finding a way to the surface and swimming through near-freezing waters that go with an early-ice breakthrough. I’m not one to rush on to the ice, but it seems that this winter is meeting me halfway, and in all likelihood, I will join the brave souls this first December weekend in their cars and small trucks parking around my shack sometime at the end of the month…but most likely in January.

A long, and apparently thick winter lays ahead, the thrill of first ice initially with a good layer as solid as the beginning bite usually is available to many anglers, thanks to the rapid freeze. Then comes the waning action of late January and February, which tests the mettle and the fortitude of all who challenge the negative fish and negative-zero high temperatures. For those who do, a prosperous and prolonged bite well into March and maybe even April awaits as panfish and predators prepare for the spring spawn.

The calendar is marked by highs, doldrums, rough weather, January thaws and a lion-and-lamb finish. Each weather system that blasts through on the sails of an Alberta clipper changes the luck of anglers. Propane tanks are filled, burned up, refueled and again converted into BTUs through a Mr. Heater sunflower or cooker. Deer sausages sizzle, augers hum, rattle-reel bells ring and drags occasionally scream. Snowmachines zip across barren surfaces, GPS screens flicker, and propane lanterns burn in after-work panfish marathons on Friday night into Saturday morning.

It’s a great time, with a barrage of experiences. Sometimes you eat the fish, and sometimes the elements – snow, ice, and wind – that protect them, bite through your ice-crusted bib overalls and jackets chewing through the layers of sweatshirts, turtlenecks and long johns sending you whimpering, face covered in frozen tears and a snot mustache. It’s not for the weak, it’s not for the faint of heart, and it isn’t for those from south of the Mason-Dixon line. Believe me, having spent four winters away from home in sunny Florida, one day of ice fishing had me whimpering with bare feet dangling over the flame of a propane heater while back on winter break. Meanwhile my friends had blackmail material for the next decade with the pictures that were taken.

Memories with friends, family and a few fantastic fish come with all the ups and downs. It’s only here and only at this time of year that we can make them. Only in this place where woods meet water and prairie meets pond, does everything happen when the temperatures start dipping near zero.

Get out there. String up a rod, and string up some fish. Experience ice fishing the way God intended it, or the way man has, in some instances, made it a second home. From the shacks and shanties, to the pop-down trailers and the turrets of veritable ice castles rigged with Dish TV, Satellite Radio and the NFL Sunday Ticket, take in every moment of it, in every way imaginable, because it will be the only way to fish for the next few months…in our outdoors.

Marcum sonar and Marcum cameras are taking ice fishing to the next level

Through years of studying, fishing, and testing by engineers rooted in the heart of the ice-belt, a new leader emerges on the forefront of the ice fishing electronics market.  The result is the MarCum line of high-power sonar flashers that were designed from the ground-up, relying on modern principles of sonar and science. MarCum’s approach has always been the most performance for the money, period.  It would follow then, that every single feature on any of the MarCum flashers and cameras results from years of continuous innovation and study.  There’s alot of terminology here, but in the end, it’s all about features that translate into fishing success.  Ultimately, all the features in the world mean nothing unless they allow you to accurately gather more critical information about what’s below you.  Here’s a quick rundown of the many reasons that a MarCum will put more fish on the ice for you this winter. 

More Power – MarCum flashers transmit the highest power in the industry, which directly effects the unit’s ability to effectively detect its own return signal

Most efficient – MarCum manufactures its own transducers to ensure quality, balance, and efficiency when paired with the flasher’s other components. 

Increased sensitivity – Better transducers, paired with more power and efficiency translates into the best target separation in the business.  The gain sensitivity on a MarCum flasher is nearly surgical, with the lowest signal/noise ratio in the industry.  This translates into finer detail with less distortion. 

Better Resolution – TrueColor razor thin display (not blended like competitors).  MarCum never distorts any of its display segments by widening the signal, ultimately resulting in the best resolution, most crisp display, and finest detail in the industry. 

“Total system performance” is what MarCum calls it.  All the features in the world can’t help you if they’re independent of one another, not working in concert.  A unit with more power, better efficiency, increased sensitivity, and better resolution is the complete package.  The net result for the angler is a better understanding of what’s going on below them; something that can’t help but put more fish on the ice this winter.

In addition to those standard performance traits, below are features exclusive ONLY to MarCum, and why they’re engineered to be the best:

Adjustable, Optical Zoom – While many folks know that MarCum has the only zoom feature that’s adjustable anywhere in the water column, few are aware that the zoom on a MarCum is a true, optical zoom.  Unlike competitors, whose resolution never increases and whose display is merely “blown-up”, the MarCum optical zoom feature actually increases your ability to discern distance and size between targets.  Rather than a larger display of the same data, you’re getting better information through a true optical zoom.  This is the same principal that applies to digital photography.

Patented Interference Rejection (IR) Technology – Due to the very positive signal/noise ratio put out by the MarCum units, the IR in-turn performs better allowing the receiver to better separate noise and clutter from true signal. 

Super Fine Line – This patented feature reduces the width of target display to increase the target separation and give you more information, especially in weeds/cover or amongst schooling fish.

True-Color – Marcum makes the only flasher that utilizes 3 separate, distinct colors; Red, Green, and Yellow. True color offers the most crisp, distinct display, giving the user the best accuracy in distinguishing targets. No more fuzzy blending.

Ice – arm – Rather than a float which moves about the hole and bobs with increased pressure on the ice or currents under it, the ice-arm allows the transducer to be placed anywhere in the hole.  This includes up against the edge, hiding most of the transducer under the ice to the far edge of the hole.  This results in fewer tangles, and less confusion from a changing bottom depth.

3 Stage Digital “Smart” Charging System – An accurate, digital battery life display, along with a single plug 3 stage charging system maintains the electrical performance of the units.  The single plug prevents reversing the polarity and burning up your battery, and promotes reduced corrosion on the battery charging posts themselves.  Even if you only have an hour to charge your MarCum, the initial charging stage loads heavily at first, and backs down to top the battery off.  No other charging system can claim this!

Standard Soft Pack – Rather than an add-on feature, a padded soft pack anchors and protects your investment in electronics.  

This year is not without surprises. NEW for 2008, all MarCum flashers will get a boost in power, as described below.  Furthermore, Nature Vision has announced the inception of Auto-Tune Technology for their full line of 2008 Marcum flashers. Since all transducers have a frequency tolerance of plus or minus 4% (192-208kz) there exist a small mismatch between power head and transducer.  This variance, depending on how extreme it is from ‘ducer to ‘ducer, creates increased noise and essentially decreases the sensitivity and performance of the sonar unit.  Marcum engineers have developed Auto-Tune Technology to automatically adjust the frequency of the transmitter/receiver to the frequency of the transducer, thus eliminating additional noise and sensitivity concerns.  As if MarCum’s technological feats weren’t impressive enough, this innovation is essentially a “sonar technician in a can” and available in every new 2008 Marcum flasher. 

Power Boosts

Marcum LX-5 – 2000 watts peak-to-peak to 2500 watts peak-to-peak
Marcum LX-3 – 1500 watts peak-to-peak to 2000 watts peak-to-peak
Marcum VX-1 Pro – 600 watts peak-to-peak to 1000 watts peak-to-peak

That is why MarCum leads the industry in innovation and performance.  It’s a fact that MarCum engineers can and are willing to test and prove.  A full suite of mechanical and electrical sonar tests have been run on all flashers currently on the market, and MarCum’s technology exceeds the competition often by orders of magnitude. 

Also, stay tuned for this winter’s MarCum On-Ice Challenges.  MarCum openly invites all to come and take a look at their flashers, and compare the competition on the ice where it matters most.  View for yourself the power, sensitivity, and display; along with the features exclusive only to MarCum, and compare them to the competition. 

In the lab or on the ice – MarCum leads the way.

The gaping mouth and sucking powers of a crappie make vacuuming up freshwater shrimp child's play. Bro's Scud Bug from Northland Fishing Tackle is just as easily inhaled.

A system is only as good as the weakest link. That’s a profound statement and applies to everything from a football team to stereo systems. Think about it. Well, in fishing, it also pertains to the freshwater shrimp – or scud as they’re referred to on the ice.

They’ll never make it into a shrimp cocktail or even grow to scampi size, but they certainly fill a niche in the freshwater food chain. Scuds are a staple dietary item on many bodies of water, and a more important food source than you might realize.

Lakes that do contain scuds tend to produce tape-measure bluegills, crappies and perch. The key is availability. Baitfish are scarce at times. Aquatic invertebrates (immature insects) aren’t always out in the open. Shrimp snacks, on the other hand, are always being served. Panfish might have to search-out the mother lode, but there’s always a cloud of scud somewhere out there.

One sign of a lake being shrimp-free is finding empty stomachs while cleaning fish. Again, shrimp are the slow moving, easy to catch, fail-safe food. Panfish will literally go hungry at times, on some lakes, when shrimp aren’t available. In fact, the absence of shrimp can diminish the overall size structure of panfish on a given lake. Scuds are a stop-gap in the food chain, ensuring that there’s always food on the table.

Freshly found shrimp indicate that panfish are likely nearby. To first find shrimp, though, you need to know a little about their required habitat and dietary needs. Shrimp love vegetation. Large mats of weeds covering largely soft bottoms make for ideal habitat. Shrimp are omnivorous, dining on both detritus (decaying organic matter) and live critters, such as bloodworms (mayfly larvae) and daphnia (zooplankton), all of which share parallel surroundings.

Shrimp, like panfish, will also wait for zooplankton to rise in the water column, which generally occurs during low-light periods and into nightfall. I’ve seen this happen on open water, too. The Humminbird shows a cloud of bigger marks (shrimp) tracking smaller marks (zooplankton).

The volume of scuds in a lake also affects actual fishing success. If a lake is wall-to-wall with scuds, the fish are scattered and hungry less often. I prefer lakes with sizable but isolated populations of scuds. This keeps panfish on the prowl.

Fish recognize forage based on their profiles. Not always is a scud’s color and pattern obvious, but its silhouette is omnipresent. That curled shape; those dangling legs; that flexing tail. It’s hard to reproduce with a lure, though. With that inspiration, I designed Bro’s Scud Bug, part of Bro’s Bug Collection from Northland Fishing Tackle.

The emphasis is on realism. Not only does the Scud Bug physically resemble a freshwater shrimp; it swims like one. The hinged tail straightens and returns to its curled posture with every pull. Shrimp propel with a compound action. So does the Scud Bug.

From a technique standpoint, whether you’re fishing a Scud Bug or some other plastic, there are key strokes that aim to mimic the real thing. Freshwater shrimp move in short bursts, kicking with their tails. Between motions they pause and gently fall, making up for the drop with the next kick. The action is easy to replicate. Make 2 inch or so pulls with the rod tip, following each jig with a limp-line freefall. Maintain the cadence while gradually working your way up the water column. Strikes typically come on the pause. And if you mark fish but they’re uncooperative, go to a modest quiver. Maintain the action for 5 to 10 seconds between bursts.

You’ll want a rod with a soft tip as well; something that promotes the soft stroke. I’m partial to longer, strike-signaling rods like the 24-inch quick tip Bro’s Series Combo from Frabill. Spring bobbers are also effective for indicating strikes and making a smooth-moving, natural presentation.

Modern soft plastics nail the fluid motion of native forage, but not the scent. Only live bait can achieve that. My solution is threading a single waxworm or maggot up the hook shank and hiding it under the belly of the Scud Bug. This adds seductive scent while not jeopardizing the desired action.

Okay, so scud isn’t the most flattering 4-letter word, but neither are the street names for burbot (lawyer), dogfish (bowfin) or junk fish (carp and other bottom feeders). “Scud,” however, is music to the ears (lateral lines) of crappies, bluegills and perch.

Ice fishing can be as expensive as you want to make it. In reality it's probaly the cheapest outdoor sport to get into

The “Dog Days” of summer reference the hot, backside, waiting-for-autumn kind feeling we slip into about the middle of August. Doesn’t seem so bad right about now, does it?

I associate August attitudes with under-appreciating the beauty of living in the Midwest.

We have about three months of every season, providing a distinct opportunity for anticipating, experiencing and repeating the pleasure of all the unique possibilities.

Once the beginning of February is on the radar, I think we slip into similar pattern, wishing winter would hurry up and lose its grip, even in the mildest of winters. For some reason we long for the promise of spring, and the thawing of snow in our lawns and no more ice on the driveway.

While some look at winter as the longest of seasons, I’ve always tried to view each season as too short. In my mind, winter doesn’t begin until after Christmas. Since I grew up in Valley City, I associated the end of winter with the North Dakota Winter Show, which is held each year in early March. So winter was a mere nine or 10 weeks long.

Some will argue that winter begins in November and can last until May, but I’m not buying it. The power of suggestion long ago convinced me otherwise.

But until February is washed out, you can combat the dog days of winter with mid-winter – in my eyes, late winter – ice fishing.

First and foremost, it’s never too late to give ice fishing a try, even if you lack some of the equipment. Don’t get hung up thinking you need to spend thousands of dollars to get started. You don’t even need a shed or shack.

One of these days the mercury will creep past 20 above and you’ll have a couple of options. Either dress to withstand winter weather for a few hours, or once you get set up, warm yourself periodically in the car. Bright sun bouncing off the snow and ice has a warming tendency, and a fish on the end of the hook creates an adrenaline rush that makes your body feel like you’ve been sitting in a boat on a 95-degree August afternoon.

Well, okay, maybe not quite that much.

But the adrenaline of a hot fishing bite can warm you up, or at least divert your attention from the cold for awhile.

If you have a neighbor, coworker or friend equipped for ice fishing, I’d be surprised if after expressing a bit of interest they wouldn’t help get you started. Do a little checking to find a hot, late winter bite and set the plans in motion.

No need to assume a three-hour trip one way. Check with local anglers or the Game and Fish website for a local winter fishery and give it a try. One key is to seek out areas with activity. In many instances, a lake exhibiting obvious signs of winter fishing activity, such as houses, tracks and drilled holes, relates a degree of fishing success or at least ice fishing effort.

Recently drilled holes are even better. A simple ice pick or chisel may be all you need to clear the hole for your line. And while a dedicated ice fishing rod and reel is nice, it’s not mandatory. All you really need is a line, a hook and some bait.

A wax worm or minnow is a good start for bait, depending on what type of fish you are after. A short visit with other anglers might yield a few tips or suggestions on what has been most effective. On the same note, if you want to get right down to fishing, use a weight to find the bottom and set the lure a few inches off the bottom for walleye or panfish.

Some anglers targeting pike will simply bait a hook with smelt and send it down.

Ice fishing can be as simple or as complicated as you make it, which is a lot like other great outdoor activities. You don’t have to sit around and wait for winter to leave before you get out and enjoy our great outdoors.

It’s wrong to think about ice fishing right now. Especially since I reeled in two healthy, hard-fighting, late summer smallies from under one of my favorite bridges during lunch today. More so because I spent last night attempting to trace the flight patterns of mourning doves over a cattle pond. And additionally, the day before that, I was out searching cut fields for guffawing grouse, which lauged all the way into the horizon as my shot sprayed over, under and around them. We’re in between summer and fall, a great time to be outdoors enjoying the last few warm days, yet here I am, thinking about ice fishing and the winter months surrounding it.

It happens every year about this time, so I don’t know why I am so surprised. However, I find myself thinking of how fun the upcoming hardwater season will be. But I know by the end of February, I will be absolutely miserable, hunched over my fly tying desk, thinking that each fly I create will make spring come just a few hours earlier. I don’t know why I look forward to it, knowing how it will end, but I do.

One of the big reasons many anglers, including myself, look forward to the ice fishing season is due to the gear associated with ice fishing. I’m not a gear-centered outdoorsman, preferring simple tools on the water and in the field; but I have my share of tackle, rods, guns and equipment. The most expensive pieces of equipment I own pertain to ice fishing – a portable shack, a Vexilar, spring bobber rods an auger and more. And just when I think I have it all, there’s something new. That is why I love getting the first Reed’s catalog, or the new In-Fisherman Ice Fishing Guide for the upcoming winter. I spend October and November viewing the new innovations on every page until the staples fall out and the binding gives way. From ice shacks to depthfinders, the latest tweaks on the old and the brand spankin’ new are on every page. I might as well start drawing up my Christmas wish list now.

As that holiday time of year relates to the region, it is then that the first layer of fishable ice covers the water of smaller lakes. It’s a perfect Christmas present, maybe more so because it comes a few weeks early. The first tenuous steps on a frozen water are an experience only ice anglers and the twelve disciples can relate to. There is the nervousness of sliding out away from shore, trusting an unseen force, but there is also the excitement of incredible rewards. The first part of the season is often the best, and missing out on an early ice bite, as I so often do, is a shame. It is a time of big fish, and they look even bigger when magnified through four inches of clear, fresh ice.

Then there are the various little things that set the ice fishing experience apart from any other in the outdoors. Like when a buddy shows up midday with deer sausage and a frying pan, and starts up lunch on the propane cooker for everyone on the ice. Or when a wolf pack of pike cruise through the area setting up three or four flags and everyone in the group takes off in a different direction in an attempt to haul them in on tip ups. Or those times, after a new fallen snow, driving out onto the planar surface of the lake where the possibility of a successful outing rests, blanketed under a blanket of pre-dawn stars and sheets of white and the scene is nearly surreal.

All of these visions and experiences draw the mind to ice fishing, and despite frigid temperatures waiting around the corner, as sure as a drop on a slow-climbing roller coaster, I look forward to it with mixed emotions. Though I know I shouldn’t be thinking about it right now, with months of hunting and many weeks of openwater fishing still available, I still do, and I probably always will be looking ahead to those adventures on the ice…in our outdoors.

When you go off the beaten path during the winter, you never know what you're getting into

My brother and I set off a couple weeks ago to fish a local lake for perch. I had forgone a trip to Minneapolis due to the impending bad weather and figured we could kill some time before it arrived with some pre-frontal fishing, often recognized to be the best.

We arrived at the 40-acre reservoir in hopes of finding some less-finicky green and gold football sized perch than we had encountered at early ice.

As we veered off the main trail and headed down the path less traveled, the pavement disappeared abruptly under compacted snowmobile tracks. Winding our way on the hills above the lake we looked for signs of recent vehicle travel – there was none. Only the criss-crossing sled treads provided guidance as to where the road should be.

Blazing a path to the last valley before the usual on-and-off point for ice anglers on this small body of water, we stopped. There was no more road. Even the snowmobiles had jumped off the path and headed up into the small drainage valley.

“We can walk down this hill,” I said to my brother, as big flakes of snow began to fall on the windshield.

He agreed, and we loaded the Fish Trap with all of our ice fishing equipment, wedging the auger between the two seats. We stumbled, slid and let gravity do most of the work on the sled house as we made our way to the ice; the snow falling stronger and thicker than before.

We began punching holes over 20 feet of water in a prime point-meets-creek-channel-meets-main-basin area. Some blips showed up on the Vexilar in the first couple of holes and we set up shop. Downsizing to a tiny Genz Worm and a piece of Berkley Power Maggot, I began tempting bites on my spring bobber rod.

My brother, first to hook up, hollered that he had one on, and brought it up, all four inches of a horizontal striped largemouth bass; hardly the 12-inch vertical striped perch we were looking for. I wiped a quarter-inch of fresh snow from the display and dials on my FL-20 and decided to set up the cover on the portable shack.

When the jumbo perch are biting it's easy to overlook the weather

My brother and I settled in and tried to draw more strikes from the red lines that hugged the bottom of the fishfinder’s screen. As we listened to the patter of the gigantic snowflakes on the tarp I managed to ice one bass, the twin brother of the first one. Looking out the mesh window of the sled, my brother voiced concern over the rapidly-decreasing visibility.

“Five more minutes, and we’ll go,” I replied, knowing what the phrase has meant to me historically in terms of fishing trips.

From that point, nothing else bit or even showed up on the three-color graph. We packed it up, looked back toward the truck on top of the nearby hill and considered a new path that was mostly devoid of knee-high grass, thorny shrubs and a 20 degree incline. We chose the old ice fishing landing site, and walked our way back to the truck. The walk was long, and a brutal reminder as to how out-of-shape I am, and the near white-out conditions did not help matters.

Safely at the truck, I expected the lights to be on and the battery dying, but I had enough foresight to prevent that mistake from happening again this season. An hour after we had left the vehicle, three fresh inches of snow were on top of it.

As the blind led the blind, I asked my brother where he thought the road out of the small wildlife area was, the main road now obscured in a blanket of white. He suggested we look for clumps of grass on the edges, and try to go back in the tire tracks we had made on the way in. At a crawl just fast enough to keep the tires turning in the freshly-fallen snow, we made our way out to the gravel road and then the now one-lane highway. From lake to house the trip took an hour where it normally takes about 25 minutes.

It was an every-day escapade, spurred by cabin fever, less-than-ideal conditions and two four-inch largemouth bass. It was stressful at times, hilarious at others, and most certainly a trip I will put up there on the shelf in my mind with some of the other winter adventures I’ve had…in our outdoors.

Bill Mitzel has been helping anglers catch fish for over 2 decades through his work at Dakota Country Magazine

We started out with some strong, quick ice in late November, with several days of below zero weather.

Then, just when it looked like we might enjoy a “normal” winter in the Dakotas, the mild weather returned and ice thickness stabilized over most of the region from 9 to 14 inches. That’s normally good enough for vehicular traffic, but such ice thickness isn’t consistent enough to consider thoroughly safe.

But, ice anglers are still enjoying a good season over most of the region, with a wide variety of fish being caught. With all the advancements in ice fishing tools nowadays, the way we implement our approach to hard water fishing has changed, but the fish themselves remain as they were. They react to the elements, both natural and man-made, and just in case we forgot what that means, here are a few thoughts about it.

• Freshwater shrimp have gained a strong foothold in many Dakota waters, and that seems to have affected ice fishing results on some lakes, as fish seem to have a lot to eat. Devils Lake may be a good example, but the bottom line is that we have to work a little harder to entice them in such situations where natural food is abundant. The rules of mobility on the ice still apply.

• With all of today’s “gadgets” for ice fishing, I wonder how we got along without the depth finder. It shows fish, tells us how deep we are, shows us our bait, and gives us a clue as to whether or not fish are actually biting below the ice or just staring at our baits. A very useful tool, without question.

• On a similar note, the underwater camera is almost equally as exciting. Watching fish in our clear winter lakes via the camera is fun of a unique nature.

• There’s a huge variety of jigging baits for the ice rodder, but in the end, smaller is better than larger, with two exceptions: walleyes and pike. But even for walleyes, we tend to use the smaller baits first. We believe smaller baits and lures are just easier and more attractive for fish, especially on those bait-crowded lakes.

Having an assortment of lures and presentations is crucial when fishing pressured lakes - dont' be afraid to experiment

In line with that, light line is also imperative for more fish. Now, I know fish have no idea what the difference is between 6 lb. test and 12 lb. test, or that they even care what fishing line is. But lighter line will catch more fish. Ask any veteran angler. In addition to the catch rate, you’ll detect light bites easier and enjoy the catching part more.

• Small bobbers are the rule, just enough to keep the bait afloat.

• Light rods, those approximately 24 inches in length, with a fast tip, will give you the most ice fishing enjoyment. A stiff rod is good for pike and big fish, of course, but for panfish, go with the whippy rod. It’ll make catching fish a lot more fun.

• Color of lure or jig simply doesn’t matter.

• If you’re using things like waxworms, keep them fresh. A worm that’s lost its “meat” and has only the skin hanging onto the hook is virtually worthless. Keep those worms fresh. They produce a lot of scent.

• Minnows should be on the smaller side, 1 1/2 to 2 inches, Hook them horizontally just behind the dorsal fin to maintain liveliness.

• Perch will eat both waxworms and minnows, but BIG perch will prefer minnows, unless they’re in a lake that has no food. Then it doesn’t matter. But most of the time, bigger perch will prefer minnows over waxworms.

A general rule of thumb for panfish is to keep the bait, line, and bober as small as possible

• Bluegills prefer waxworms. Period.

• Crappies prefer minnows. Period.

• Pike prefer most anything, from frozen smelt to car bodies.

• You’re going to be a lot less frustrated if you keep that auger sharp and you can drill through thick ice quickly. This will keep you mobile and more willing to move if you need to.

• Stay in touch with baitshops and other anglers to enjoy current fishing hotspots. Fishing news travels faster than the speed of sound. But sometimes, you’ve got to ask more questions. When you hear of a hotspot, it’s also vital to ask how deep, what bait, time of day, areas of the lake and how thick is the ice. Details.

• If you find a crowd of anglers on the ice, fish the fringe area, just outside the activity. All fish react to pressure, which includes noise.

• Mornings and evenings are times of advanced fish feeding, especially during the winter months. This includes all species.

• We’ve often been amazed at how just moving a few yards can make a difference. Maybe a little closer to the weedline, the shoreline, the rocks or the middle. There’s always a need to explore. Don’t set things up until you’re sure there are fish below you.

• It doesn’t hurt, and usually helps, to keep your bait moving. Twitch it often, pick it up, lower it, just move it. Schools of fish are competitive and it can make one of them hit.

• If you fish a particular lake in the summer, make use of that knowledge in the winter. The same areas you found fish during open water are good bets in the winter, too. Nothing beats knowledge of the lake and that comes by fishing it a lot… year around.

• As a general rule, keep the bait about one foot off the bottom at depths up to 15 feet. Deeper than that, move the bait a little higher off the bottom, say up to 18 inches over 20 feet of water. Fish can easily see above, not below themselves.

• Long-shank hooks are more effective for two reasons: First, they will hold more waxworms, and second, it will make unhooking a fish that is to be released much easier.

• Unkink your fishing line by slightly stretching it as you lower it into the hole. Kinked line is a hassle and a deterrent to success.

• Catching fish anytime of year is rewarding, but in the wintertime, through an ice hole, in the warmth of a fish house, with venison sausage on the stove, it’s special. The excitement works for everyone, regardless of age or gender. There’s still plenty of time to get out there.

Below zero temperatures and wind makes it tough to run an ice fishing tournament

“I must be crazy,” I thought, huddled over the rapidly shrinking hole in the ice. The wind howled around me as I confirmed it, “yup, certifiable.” In all directions, 1,500 anglers did the same, burning heaters under their chairs at full blast, scooping their pre-punched holes and doing what they could to keep warm, keep sane, and keep their chances for a whopper at the annual ice fishing tournament alive.

The night before, the usual road crew consisting of my fiancé and our law school friends staked a claim at a central table at the American Legion in Park Rapids, MN. The TV in the corner of the bar above the old couple playing pull tabs didn’t have hockey or basketball on it; rather the big story was the arctic blast that had settled in over the region.

The weather channel gave reports of the low temperatures in New York (18º), Chicago (-4º) and points east before addressing the area lows… “bottoming out around -30º actual temperatures with deadly wind chills down to fifty below…” the hosts stated, going on and on about how crazy we were to be living in this part of the world, while they were freezing somewhere warm in Connecticut.

“Perfecto!” Tory, the electrician from the tropics of southwest Minnesota exclaimed, “That just means less competition for us on the ice.” We smiled, picturing a trailer loaded down with fish houses, four-wheelers and a pile of cash resulting from all of the less-hardy anglers’ fish that we would catch the next day.

Morning broke with clear skies, and the winds already whipping outside the window. I walked to the kitchen and met the host couple, Nick and Erika. They instructed me to look at the thermometer display on the wall.

“Why,” I asked, “is it broken?”

“It might be, I don’t think it is supposed to go that low,” Nick chuckled in response.

“Negative thirty-one, sounds nice…almost sweltering. I bet our competition just got a bit lighter,” I stated, seeing visions of new snowmobiles and ice houses in the steam of my coffee cup. .

Erika agreed the competition would not be as fierce, as she made her early-morning opt-out of the tournament.

At times when it's this cold a guy wants to set down the rod and run to the truck

By noon, everyone was on their toes. Nick, the carpenter/pilot, took us out to his shop to cut windscreens from a cardboard treadmill box. Winds were forecast to be up to 25 miles-per-hour; high for the relatively windless Minnesota lakes country, so we would need them.

We loaded up and headed back. There would be only four. Tory’s wife also took the easy route, and a nap, avoiding the fun the next two hours would hold. Erika helped dress my fiancé in a costume fit for the younger brother in the movie A Christmas Story.

“I hope I don’t fall down,” Angie joked from beneath four layers, two scarves, a hat and her hood, “I probably won’t be able to get back up.

Tory, Nick, Angie and I arrived at the tournament spot – the main area of Fish Hook Lake just outside of Park Rapids. Just like us, everyone else played the weather card, hoping the weak and less hardy would bail on the event. Apparently, when a new truck and a half-dozen ATVs are at stake along with cash and other prizes, it’s tough to turn down those odds.

We settled in and found four holes at the edge of the field of nearly 3,000 evenly-spaced punctures in the 22-inch thick ice. Angie and I paired up on one hole, working a spring bobber and a 1/64 ounce Lindy Fat Boy rigged with spikes. It wasn’t long after the national anthem that the fish began pouring into the registration area.

The announcer rattled off the incoming weights and the fish. For 16 below, the fish seemed active. Walleyes, pike, rock bass and perch were prevalent over the intercom. I knew I could only be so lucky. I’ve fished in seven derbies from Devils Lake to Brainerd and never once had a bite. Maybe this time would be different.

I reminded Angie how to watch the spring bobber for bites, and as I instructed her, I saw the tell-tale tap of a nibble. I set the hook and rocketed a four inch-perch from the depths. Beyond surprised, I grabbed it and took off running, telling her to do what I just did, but catch a bigger one.

I arrived at the registration trailer, and to my chagrin, every perch in line was much bigger than the now-frozen four-incher I held in my hand. I went back to the spot, with little more than a personal victory and watched as Angie pulled up a six-inch perch. It wouldn’t be enough for a prize, but our reward was another two hours sitting amidst the swirling winds and the sub-zero temperatures, contemplating which body function would shut down first.

We left before the event ended; by the time we had our lines up, the ice hole had shrunk from a radius of eight inches to about three. The wind ripped our windscreens from us, and worked its way under our layers. My hands were numb, my toes were frozen, but I left with the feeling that the lady on the PA system was right.

“You’re tougher than you thought,” she said, even to those of us shuffling our way of the ice.

“Or crazier,” I mumbled under my frozen face-mask.

Strength, endurance, and sanity are all important traits for those living up in this area of the world, and even more so for ice fishing derbies (lack of sanity, perhaps more important). However, for the rest of the time spent in the deep freeze, I’ll take a good dose of cabin fever to help get me back to the first warm spring day…in our outdoors.

You don't need all the fancy gear to enjoy a day on the ice

I’ve always preferred the simpler means of enjoying fishing. At times you’d think I’m the only one without some kind of electronic depth finder, underwater camera or GPS to mark my hot spots.

I know better than that. There are other low-impact anglers. During summer we call them hook-and-bobber types, which is a generalization that could be applied to just about anyone taking part in outdoor recreation in a less-than-contemporary fashion.

I’ll explain this in more detail. Fishing technology has advanced way past me. I don’t have any of the modern day “must haves.” I grew up ice fishing with my dad, sitting on five-gallon pails, using a big lead weight for a bottom finder and nothing more than a glorified stick with a hook as a fishing pole.

It didn’t bother me that we didn’t have a power auger or some of the other fancy stuff for a number of years. In fact, I remember when dad won an electronic flasher and we wondered how we’d figure out what all those lines and colors meant, and if they’d really help put fish on the hook for us.

For most people, those days are gone. Five-gallon pails were replaced by ice shacks with amenities suited for all day living. GPS devices mark hot spots, and underwater cameras even show the fish – but they still don’t make the fish bite!

Ice fishing is what you make of it - enjoy yourself

For me, a good sack lunch was more important than catching a pail full of perch. That will probably always be the case.

If you agree with some or all of what I’m explaining, count yourself among the hook-and-bobber crowd.

Greg Gullickson, Minot, is a Game and Fish biologist and avid angler who uses the term “bobbers and worms” to explain his more relaxed forays into the outdoors, including ice fishing. “There are thousands of versions of the equipment needed to be an ice angler,” he says. “Now don’t get me wrong. I am a gadget man, but still remember when my ice gear consisted of a five-gallon pail filled with homemade poles made from broken summer rods and sticks with line wrapped around it.”

As Gullickson explains, it all comes down to supplying the basic needs to ice fish. “You need to be able to make a hole in the ice (auger), pole (rods or tip-ups), lures (hooks, weights and bobbers), bait (minnows, smelt, wax worms) and if you desire, some sort of shelter.”

Getting into the ice fishing scene is not as difficult as some would have you believe. Here’s a few tips Gullickson offers that will help even those who’ve never tried ice fishing because they don’t think they have all the equipment advertisers deem necessary.

 “An easy way to make a hole is to ‘magpie,’ or find an old hole that someone had been using and chip it open with a metal bar,” Gullickson recommened. “A pole can be a stick, chunk of 2-by-4 or most anything that can be used to wrap line around. A hook, small weight and a bobber will get the job done as far as tackle is concerned. Bait can be as simple as hot dogs for pike, or minnows for perch and walleye. Shelter can be as simple as a vehicle with the heater on. And sonar can be replaced with a depth weight to check how deep it is and measure it with your arms.”
I’m smiling as I visualize the mental picture of Greg’s plan to minimize ice fishing output, while still providing a means for success. Think of neighboring ice anglers who spend considerable time to get all their electronics set up and situated prior to dropping a line. With Greg’s tips and a little experimenting, you too can get into ice fishing the old fashioned way. And that’s not a bad thing at all.

Don’t get me wrong, I’m not saying the latest and greatest in gear and equipment is bad. The key is to not let your lack of gear and gadgets keep you from trying a little ice fishing, even if it’s the hook-and-bobber type.