Holiday Ice Fishing Gear

~ This article appears in the The Iowa Sportsman Magazine, December 2023~

Soon, the entire state of Iowa will be covered with snow and ice, at least that is what Ice Fishermen are hoping for.  Ice anglers from across the state are hoping for colder weather every day so they can explore their favorite lake or river during the winter fishing season.  Whether you have been ice fishing for decades or are new to the game, your equipment is as valuable to your success as the ice you are walking on.  Having an appropriate lineup of ice fishing gear will make your day on the ice easier and have you catching more fish.  Let’s break down the must-have equipment of all anglers heading out on the ice. 

Clothing: In the summer we must endure the heat, while ice fishing we must brave frigid temperatures to chase down fish.  Your clothing choices are your first line of defense against the harsh Iowa winters.  While many anglers like to sit in an ice shack while ice fishing, you still need to get onto the ice, prepare your fishing area and get back off the ice safely too.  Having an insulated pair of boots that are waterproof is your first concern.  Drilling holes and walking through snow will show how an ordinary pair of boots will ruin a trip before you even get to fishing.  Insulated coveralls that are also waterproof should be at the top of your list as well.  Many companies make bibs and coats specifically for ice fishing, these typically are waterproof and will keep you nice and warm.  Many anglers use hunting bibs and coats that serve the same purpose as well.  Underneath your shell covering you will always want to layer your clothing.  If you sit in a heated shack or move around all day drilling 100 holes, you will get hot, this isn’t good either.  The sweat you produce will linger and send chills to your body when you cool down.  Layering will help you maintain your body heat as you remove and put the clothing back on during your fishing day.  Another great article of clothing to help maintain your body temperature is a stocking cap.  They keep in the warmth but are easy to take on/off as you get warm and cold throughout the day.  Lastly, a good pair of gloves that slide on and off easily are an ice angler's best friend.  Working with the small tackle, rods, reels, and electronics, you will need to take off and put on the gloves numerous times in a day.

Baits:  Ice anglers have so many choices these days, it is hard to even keep up.  Most baits can be split into two groups to help simplify things.  Ice jigs and spoons are favorites all over the state for all kinds of species.  Tungsten jigs have taken over the jig boxes of ice anglers in the last decade, and for a good reason.  They are smaller in profile due to their higher density than lead, making them perfect for panfish.  They come in many sizes, however if you are just getting started, I would recommend the 3mm or 4mm size for panfish.  Like any fishing lure, these small jigs come in more colors than Crayola has ever invented.  Have a variety of colors on hand, from whites to darker colors as well as some glow-in-the-dark varieties.  Spoons and horizontal baits, like the Tikka Mino and Z-Viber, have become popular for larger species like walleye and the different varieties of bass.  They are great for crappies and perch as well.  Again, have a variety of a few colors, and don’t forget the ones that glow.  Visit your local tackle dealer to check out all the great companies that make these specialized ice fishing baits. 

Rods/Reels/Line: Ice fishing rods and reels are specifically designed for ice anglers.  There are so many to choose from these days, it really comes down to how much you want to invest in your hobby.  There are great rod/reel combos on the market for about $60, and there are specialty rods out there for sale for $120 or more.  The more important thing to know about selecting rods and reels is the taper of the rod, or sensitivity.  Like mentioned above, you will be using very tiny jigs while out on the ice, as well as spoons, which weigh a lot more than the jigs.  At minimum you need a rod for jigs and a rod for spoons, several for each is ideal.  When using the tiny jigs, you will want to use a spring bobber or a rod that is super sensitive at the tip.  That tip needs to “load” when your jig is tied on.  If your rod tip is not bending while the jigs hang freely in the air, then that rod will not be a good jig rod.  You need to be able to detect the smallest bites, and if the rod you are using is not showing you the weight of your jig, it certainly will not show you a soft bite.  A spring bobber is the best way to go if you are starting out in the hobby or have not had the best success.  There are many spring bobber rods on the market, Clam Outdoors, a leader in the ice fishing world has several at different price points.  A spring bobber is a small wire that extends out from the rod tip adding the ultimate sensitivity to your rod.  They can be a bit cumbersome when transporting them, but they are well worth it when using small jigs.  If you want to chase crappies, walleyes, yellow or white bass then a spooning combo is what you will need.  The same physics apply when choosing a rod for a spoon, it needs to “load” the rod when you have it tied on.  My favorite spoon rod is the Jason Mitchell Series, Dead Meat Combo from Clam Outdoors.  This combo is ideal for any spoon and comes with a nice compact reel which stays smooth during the winter months.  The reels on the rods are not quite as important as a fine-tuned rod, but a reel without a good drag system is useless.  When purchasing a combo from different companies like Clam or Scheels it will most likely have a size “10” reel.  These are a good all-around fit for most anglers, however if you are purchasing the rod and reel separately, I would encourage you to try a size “15” reel.  The larger size is nice to hold in cold weather and the spool allows your line to fall off a bit easier than a size “10” reel.  This is a switch I have been going through for the past five years or so and it has really simplified things for me.  Although not a rod/reel combo, a tip up or tip down are very good tools for an ice angler as well.  These are live bait rigs, the tip up is typically a large fish rig, northern pike and walleye are the target fish to catch on these rigs with a live chub or bait fish.  A tip down is a simple rig used to present a live minnow to crappies or perch.  These do count towards your limit of 2 lines per licensed angler, so if you are jigging, you may only have one of these devices out.  Check your DNR regulations, as the Mississippi River has its own set of rules on these rigs.    

Auger: Ice fishing is full of choices these days, there are so many good companies out there that produce nice equipment to help us catch fish on the ice.  Augers are no different, there are several varieties of augers on the market, gas powered, propane powered, and electric powered.  In the state of Iowa, an electric powered auger is probably your best bet, and it is the best choice economically also.  Gas and propane augers are best when the ice is two feet or thicker, when drilling dozens and dozens of holes is not practical with electric augers.  However, most lakes in the states do not reach that thick of ice.  An electric auger, either powered by the manufacturer drill or your own personal work drill is a reliable choice.  Eskimo and Strikemaster both make great eclectic augers, but both will cost around $500.  Most ice anglers are turning to their drills in their garages and attaching an auger bit to them.  Using your own drill and batteries with a purchased auger bit is by far the cheapest way to go.  Again, there are many good choices of auger bits out there, some made of metal, some made mostly of plastic.  I really like the K-Drill for most of the ice fishing season.  It is very light, and the blades have a lifetime of free sharpening, that’s right, buy one auger and you have sharp blades for the rest of your life for free.  If you ice fish a lot you will probably go through at least one set of blades per year, if not two.  My advice, try a few different ones to see which one you prefer, and which one fits your style.

Ice fishing is finally in sight for most of the state, something I have been looking forward to since Labor Day.  I love the fall season of fishing, but there is something magical about walking on frozen water and catching fish.  Next month we will tackle all the electronic side of ice fishing, until then, stay safe and good luck.