Ice Fishing Tips

Ice Fishing Tips for Walleye, Crappie, Perch, Pike, Trout & More

Different fish behave differently under the ice. This guide explains how to ice fish for popular species like walleye, crappie, perch, pike, trout, and bass, with practical tips to help you fish more effectively.
December 15, 2025 — Cynthia
ce Fishing Techniques

Ice Fishing Techniques: Jigging, Tip-Ups & Deadsticking

Ice fishing techniques determine how effectively you attract and catch fish under the ice. This guide explains jigging, tip-ups, and deadsticking, and when to use each method for better results.
November 30, 2025 — Cynthia
Ice Fishing

Ice Fishing Gear Checklist: Rods, Reels, Line, Baits & Must-Haves

Ice fishing requires specialized gear designed for cold conditions and vertical fishing. This gear checklist explains what rods, reels, line, and bait. To get started, plus essential safety items every ice angler should carry.
November 30, 2025 — Cynthia
Ice Fishing

Ice Fishing Safety: How Thick Is Safe Ice and How to Check It

This ice thickness chart shows how thick ice must be for safe ice fishing and common winter activities.
October 31, 2025 — Cynthia
Author shows off his steelhead and smiles

Tips for steelhead and brown trout

Steelhead and brown trout aficionados will certainly agree. These popular gamefish species present a good news/bad news scenario. The good news is both can found coast to coast here in...
May 28, 2025 — M.D. Johnson
A man shows a huge walleye

Summer fishing tips for panfish, walleye, and bass

Ah, the summer duldrums. Heat. Humidity. Mosquitoes. Warm water. These conditions all make for tough…well, fill-in-the-blank. But if you’re an angler, this time of year is especially challenging. The fish...
May 20, 2025 — M.D. Johnson
Author holding a bass in front of the camera

Spring Bass Tactics

After a long cold winter, especially here in the Midwest, those sunny warm days brings out anglers of all ages. The spring can be a very rewarding time of the...
May 15, 2025 — Ken “Husker” O’Malley
adult bluegill

Spring Slip Bobber Fishing

For rod recommendations, I prefer a 7’ light action blank with a fast tip so that I can present the hair jig or plastic with the right cadence. For reel...
May 12, 2025 — Jay Elmquist Magyar
Ken holds a fish on hook

Panfish Migration Throughout the Ice Season

Ice anglers are certainly a different breed. We anxiously wait for first ice much like a 10-point buck does nearing the rut. The gear is ready, the anxiety levels are...
February 13, 2025 — Ken “Husker” O’Malley
Ben Leal holds the fish

Late Winter Walleyes

Let's talk about the Fish itself for a moment. Walleye are walleye, year round! They are no different in January with one exception; cold January water temps slow them down;...
February 07, 2025 — Ben Leal
Scott Olson holds a panfish in front of the forest

Early Ice Season Panfish Breakdown

With most of the Ice Belt areas of the country literally on the ice now, let’s go over the targeting of the type of fish a majority of ice fishermen...
December 25, 2024 — Scott Olson
Fish on hook, ice fishing scenario

What Bait Takes the Cake: A Guide to Ice Fishing Success

If you’re a spring bobber person, the spring doesn’t flinch. Sometimes, the take is so subtle that an eye on the line is the only way. But just because your...
December 19, 2024 — Teeg Stouffer