Tag Archives: Ice Fishing

Finally!  We finally are having some cold weather, some ice-making weather! Those of you who think mild winters are great may want to turn your heads while I turn some cartwheels! However, you hard-core ice anglers are going to notice some changes in the coming days; changes that affect the number of fish you are catching. I have spent a lot of time messing with a digital thermometer under the ice.  You would be surprised at what the water temperatures …

If you have been ice-fishing for any amount of time, you probably have a story or three about an ice shack blowing away.  It goes something like this: If you want to watch another one follow this LINK . Of course those remind me of some stories. . . . I watched a couple of guys try to pop-up a shelter on the ice during one gale.  They spread it out on the ice and the skinny, little guy got …

Unfortunately, it has been a relatively warm winter.  Yes, since the first of January, I have been on the ice a number of times; however I would not say ice conditions have been great.  From what I am hearing, that is still the case in much of Nebraska. The high winds we had a couple weeks ago killed us.  Nothing “eats” ice like wind.  The ice can withstand some days of warm temperatures, can even withstand some rain and snow-melt.  …

If you have been reading my blog for a while, you have probably heard me talk about big baits for big fish.  I particularly return to that theme in the fall, one of the best times of year to catch big fish, big fish of a variety of species. Now, it is all relative.  Yes, I tend to fish smaller baits through a hole in the ice–smaller than I do in open water.  However, the last few ice seasons I …

I blog about this topic every winter.  Going to again.  Tired of hearing it from me?  Listen to what some of the best ice-anglers have to say.  Oh, I am frequently told all the good biologist work in some other state; there is one in this video, listen to him! Now, this is my blog, let me offer some comments. . . . First of all, “Right on!, What they said!”  My career as a fisheries biologist has spanned a …

Folks are always interested in tips that will help them catch more fish.  I stumbled onto this video and there are a whole bunch of great tips here.  I completely agree with several of these, picked up a new idea or three from others: Unfortunately, ice conditions from one corner of Nebraska to the other are very mixed.  Yes, there has been some safe ice, but even then I am hearing of thin or even open spots.  And this stinkin’ …

This is the final installment in a four-part series of articles on ice-fishing for beginners. By Daryl Bauer Nebraska Game and Parks Commission LINCOLN, Neb. – Venture to a tackle shop where ice-fishing gear is on display and you will see aisles filled with ice-fishing rods and reels. The first thing you will notice about that equipment is the length. The rods are short. They are short to allow anglers to fish closer to their hole. However, if you are …

Some of you that fish ice tournaments may need a way to beat your competition to the hot hole. Or maybe you just want to get a jump on the weekend warriors? Could be you just need to beat your buddy to the tip-up? Well, I got an idea for you. . . . Notice “safety first”–make sure the ice is safe and wear your helmet. Not sure about the language in the subheadings, but I am guessing it says …

Spent some time with family over the holidays, not much family and not much time, but some.  One thing I know for sure during this whole coronavirus thing, I am safe in the field or on the water! So, I spent some time chasing roosters.  No, I did not see many, but some.  I did see a lot in a few spots where I could not hunt, naturally, but it is great knowing they are there!  Anyway, I finally was …

Yes, the stinkin’ coronavirus is still around, but we are planning to have ice-fishing workshops anyway! Virtual Discover Ice-Fishing events scheduled in January LINCOLN, Neb. – Anglers can learn the basics of ice-fishing or pick up a few new tips from experienced anglers at virtual Discover Ice-Fishing clinics in January. The Nebraska Game and Parks Commission and the Nebraska Fish and Game Association will host classroom clinics via Zoom on Jan. 16 and Jan. 19. Due to COVID-19 concerns, there …