Fishing Skills on ice

Follow these tips to keep safe when catching dinner out in the freezing cold.

You Will Need

Freezing cold weather

A fishing license

A towel

A bucket

Warm clothes

Boots

Gloves

A float coat

Ice cleats

A spud bar

An auger

A scooper

A fishing pole with reel

Fishing line

A depth finder

A bobber

Hook

Bait

A lake with fish

Steps

Step 1 Contact the DNR

Contact the appropriate state agency to buy a fishing license and check for any ice warnings.

Step 2 Research fishing spots

Research popular fishing spots on the web or from people at local bait shops.

Step 3 Pack and dress for the weather

Pack all your fishing essentials and a towel in a bucket. Wear warm clothes, boots, gloves, and a float coat.

Dressing in multiple layers will keep you warmer.

Step 4 Walk with a spud bar

Walk onto the ice wearing ice cleats and using a spud bar to spear the ice as you go.

If the bar sticks in the ice, stop and back up slowly -- the ice is not secure.

Step 5 Drill a hole

Drill a hole with an auger and scoop out the ice.

Step 6 Measure the line

Let the line from the fishing pole loose into the water with a depth finder attached until it reaches the bottom of the lake. Reel the line up 2 to 3 feet and attach a bobber where the line hits the water.

Step 7 Attach hook and bait

Pull the line up and attach the hook and bait. Drop the line back into the water and you are now ice fishing.