Taking Kids Ice Fishing

• There is no such thing as safe ice. Find out why you can never be too careful at the MNDNR Ice Safety Website.
• You've never been ice fishing? Don't fret. Sit down with your young anglers and learn together with this guide. (6 pages | 2 MB)
• Here's a helpful video by the MNDNR called Danger, Thin Ice! on how to do an ice self-rescue and how to rescue someone who has fallen through the ice.
• Want a guide to take with you this winter expedition? Print out MinnAqua's Ice Fishing and Winter Safety information. (30 pages | 2.2 MB)
• Need gear? Make your own ice fishing jiggle stick with help from MinnAqua! (20 pages | 2.8 MB)
• Want to sure the kids stay busy on the way there? Give them their own copy of MinnAqua's Ice Fishing Frenzy. (10 pages | 3.2 MB)
• So you're ready to venture out on the ice but you're not sure what to do or how to do it? Get some excellent advice from the experts from our DNR podcasts on ice fishing.

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• Hot chocolate & snacks: Keep anglers happy.
• Band-aids: Patch hook pricks or minor cuts.
• Hand warmers: Warm hands and feet.
• Personal flotation device on rope (seat cushion-type): To rescue someone if they fall in the water.
• Sled with attached rope: Carry gear and/or a person, if necessary.
• Wool blanket or sleeping bag: Warm anyone who gets wet or cold.
• Cell phone: Make calls for help.
• Ice rescue claws: One set per person for self-rescue in case of falling through the ice. You can even make your own.
• Sunscreen & Sunglasses: Sunburn is caused from sunlight not heat, glare from the ice and snow intensifies the sunlight and the potential for sunburn.

• Auger: Without this, you can't drill a hole through the ice. Sharp hand augers work well ... you don't need a power auger unless you're drilling many holes for many anglers.
• Tip-Ups: Special fishing "poles" for ice fishing. There are several types but basically one stick holds the device above the hole and the second stick has the line and hook/weight or jig attached to it.

• Jiggle Stick: Nothing more than a really short fishing pole used to move (jig) the bait up and down to attract fish. This is a technique usually used for panfish such as crappie and bluegill but can work with other species.
• Tackle: Don't pull out your summer tackle box. For tip-ups, heavyweight braided line and jigs with different colored heads work well. Leaders are seldom needed, even for northern pike. For jiggle sticks (or those really short fishing poles), use clear ice fishing line of 2 to 4 pound test. Generally speaking, lighter line is better – it'll be easier to recognize when a fish bites.
• Bait: Live minnows work well for walleye and northern. Use smaller minnows for crappie. Waxworms and nightcrawlers/worms can entice sunfish. Panfish also like spikes and eurolarvae, which look like small colored waxworms.
• Scoop: A big ladle with holes in it. Use it to scoop a minnow out of the bait bucket and keep your holes clear of ice.
• Sled: Almost always a necessity for hauling gear to your spot. Use a stable, wide sled with edges to keep things from falling off.
• Bucket: The five-gallon kind. In fact, bring several. They can be used as seats (with or without special "lids" you can find at many sporting good stores) and are a great place to stow your catch.
• Shelter: If you've got one, bring it. Kids like to get in out of the cold. If you use any sort of heater inside the shelter, know what you're doing and be careful of carbon monoxide.

Slipping on the ice

Wear boots with rubber soles. Don't run on the ice.

Sunburn

Wear sunscreen.

Frostbite

Remain alert. Are you getting too cold? Wiggle fingers and toes. Tell someone that you are getting cold.