A Facebook memory popped up today, with a photo of an ice fishing graph as an airplane carry-on, and I can’t deny I’m a little envious of myself that year.
I’m a BIG fan of ice fishing. Walking across the top of a lake is true Fishing on Foot! Living in Georgia and having other fishing priorities for work, I don’t find my way to ice country nearly as often as I’d like.
Odd for a Georgia angler, I suppose, I do own ice rods, electronics, lures and clothes, and even an auger and simple sled for dragging stuff across the ice. I just don’t find enough opportunities to use my ice gear.
Simple Ice Fishing
My favorite ice excursions are the simplest sorts — when fish are close enough to the shore or a lake is small enough that you can simply walk to a fishing spot, carrying gear in a bucket or pulling a small shed.
I’m not opposed to fishing from a shelter when it’s needed. If it’s bearable, though, I’d rather fish in the open and stay mobile, carrying only a rod or two and hopping from hole to hole to search for fish.
Trout are my favorite winter targets — maybe because they are cold oriented and tend to be turbo charged when other species are a bit slower than normal. That said, I really like catching bluegill and crappie through the ice, and there’s no species I wouldn’t enjoy catching.
No ice plans for this winter, as of now, which I guess is why the picture makes me jealous of myself. I certainly wouldn’t pass on the right opportunity, though, so I’m not yet ready to give up on this winter!
Fishing on Foot 