By Julie Geiser
Even in a one-person ice shelter, there is room for essential ice-fishing items that you should never leave home without.
Gear Checklist
- Tip-ups and ice fishing rods/reels
- Ice shelter (anything to keep out of the wind)
- Propane heater for cold days
- Spud bar (for checking ice thickness)
- Ice auger
- Sled to carry auger and supplies
- Five-gallon bucket to carry fishing equipment and sit on
- Tackle: lures, jigs and bait, extra line, hook sharpener, bobbers, split shot, needle-nose pliers for hook removal and line cutting
- Hand warmers and ice cleats
- Flashlight and matches or lighter
- Phone
- GPS or fish locator
- Ice picks (to pull yourself out if you fall through)
- Compass
- Ice scoop for removing slush from holes
- Fishing license
- 50 feet of rope and life vests for safety
More Tips
- If you take your kids with you, also consider bringing snacks, extra clothing and gloves, tissues or a hanky, and extra sleds or ice skates to play with.
- Don’t forget to protect everyone’s eyes with sunglasses, as the sun and wind can burn them. Sunscreen and lip protection is a good idea to bring along as well.
- Lastly, no outing is complete without water to drink, some sandwiches or even soup, which is easily warmed on a cooker/heater or brought inside a thermos.