How to Keep Warm While Ice Fishing

Instructions

1

Invest in cold weather gear. If you are planning to take up the sport as a hobby or have been ice fishing for a while, it is wise to have the right clothing. There are several outfitters that you can purchase cold weather gear from. One such company is Red Rock Wilderness Store, which features several choices of cold weather clothing. If you do not wish to spring for such an outfit then you can still stay warm on the ice. Dress in layers so that you can take clothing off when you get warm and put it back on when you get chilly. Long underwear is a must in any case.

2

Keep your hands and feet dry. Gloves that fit and are water resistant and boots that will keep your feet warm and dry are absolute necessities. Your hands will be exposed to the cold more than any part of your body, as they will often be getting wet. Bring with you an extra pair of gloves in case the first get wet. When playing fish through the ice and putting shiners on hooks, as well as deploying and picking up tip-ups, you will need to take your gloves off to accomplish the task and keep them dry for later on. Your boots need to fit without hurting your feet and be warm enough to keep your toes from feeling the cold. Extra pairs of socks never hurt.

3

Buy hand and foot warmers. These are lightweight and inexpensive chemical packets that can be opened, shaken and placed into your gloves or the bottom of your boots. They last for hours and are well worth the cost.

4

Start a fire. If it is legal on the pond or lake you are ice fishing, gather some wood and start a fire on the shore. Bring a lighter with you and some newspaper to get the fire started. Make sure you keep watch on the fire if there is no snow cover. Set up your base around the fire and put someone in charge of keeping it going.

5

Keep moving. Once your tip-ups are in, you should check the shiners periodically to make sure they are active and still alive. The exercise will do you good and by walking around from tip-up to tip-up, you will stay warmer than if you just sat around waiting for a flag to go up.

6

Stay out of the wind. Check your local forecast the night before your ice fishing outing. If the wind is going to howl, then you either need to have a plan or the sense not to go. There are several brands of ice fishing shelters available that are lightweight and can be quickly set up or taken down. They will provide a place to keep out of the wind. If you have no shelter, then fish in a spot where trees can give you some protection from the breeze.