Ice fishing provides much needed 'fishing fix'

Get the auger, go to lake; just because weather is getting colder doesn't mean fishing tackles get put away

BY KELLY BINGHAM The Signpost correspondent

Ice fishing is a sport enjoyed by outdoor enthusiasts who don't let a little snow and ice chill on their winter fun.

"I go at least two or three times during the winter," said Tracy Johnson, a Weber State University sophomore. "It's fun to get out on the ice and spend the day with your friends."

The ice fishing season begins in late December and runs into the spring when the frozen lakes begin to thaw.

According to the Weber County Fishing Report, anglers - people who fish with hooks - have access to several ice fisheries.

Pineview Reservoir, located 15 minutes east of WSU campus, is stocked with bass, catfish and tiger muskie; Causey Dam, located in the South Fork of Ogden Canyon, is a popular place for rainbow and cutthroat trout; and Willard Bay, located 20 miles north of campus, is home to walleye and crappie.

Julia Kettle, WSU freshman, used to go ice fishing with her dad.

"It's weird the first time you walk onto the ice," Kettle said. "You feel the snow crunching beneath your feet and you worry you're going to fall through the ice or something."

The Utah Division of Wildlife recommends ice fishing on lakes or ponds with at least 4 inches of clear ice on the surface. When going early or late in the season, state wildlife division advises using a stick to check the stability of the ice before walking on to it.

The equipment needed is an ice fishing rod, which is half the length of a regular pole; an auger to cut a hole in the ice; a scoop to keep the hole from icing over; bait and tackle; and a creel or cooler to hold the catch of the day.

Ice fishing has an appeal that differentiates it from traditional fishing.

"It's better than regular shore fishing," Johnson said. "You can move freely around the lake, plus you can prop your pole up over the hole in the ice and do other stuff while you wait to catch something."

Anglers will multi-task outdoor activities while ice fishing. When the ice is at its thickest, people will bring sleds, snowmobiles or 4-wheelers.

"Me and some friends went ice fishing at Pineview once," said Derek McCloy, WSU junior. "I'm not a big fisherman so it was kinda boring, but we had a lot of fun with the sleds we brought."

There is a fine line between a fisherman and an idiot standing on a frozen lake freezing his or her tail off, so here are some ideas when planning an ice fishing trip: wear multiple layers of clothing and wear snow boots when ice fishing, since temperatures can drop below freezing. The state wildlife division recommends at least one layer of wool clothing. Also bring hot beverages like coffee, hot chocolate or soup to drink to help maintain body heat.

"When we went, my friends caught a few fish," McCloy said. "But the only thing I caught was a cold."

Some frosty fishermen will spend their day on the ice in style, setting up tents and space heaters to keep warm.

Check out local fishing reports on the Internet to find which lakes anglers are having success, what kinds of fish are being caught and what time of day is best, since fish activity varies at different times.

Go in groups of three or more. It makes the experience more enjoyable, it's safer in case of emergency and someone can scout better locations on the ice if fish aren't biting at the current spot.

There are different styles and techniques for ice fishing. Some anglers will do the traditional worm on a hook and let the line sit still. Others put mealworms, salmon eggs or Powerbait on a jig or lure and bobble the line up and down to attract the fish. Have several rods pre-rigged for different types of bait so time is not wasted changing gear.

"Fishing is about 10 percent skill and 90 percent luck," Johnson said. "Sometimes you have a great time catching your limit; other times, you just spend a day getting your toes frostbitten."

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