2024/2025 Ice Fishing Season Preparation

Ice Fishing Preparation for the Upcoming Season

There are many types of ice anglers. Some are ice fishing warriors with all the latest and greatest gear while others get out on warm winter days to mainly get outside and try their luck. I am more of a warrior but not to extent that I own all the latest and greatest. Let’s say warrior 2.0. Personally I take a great deal of time preparing for each ice fishing season. Good preparation will make the ice fishing season more effective in terms of time, planning and fish catching. Below is the list and I take the list a few steps further so I am as ready as can be before I begin the ice fishing season.

1. Gather all the gear in a single space. For many of us it’s the garage.

2. Organize the gear. Rods, line, ice fishing lures and tackle together. Augers, ice scoops, heaters, fishfinders and shelters in a group. Gather all the clothing too. You don’t want to be searching for hats, gloves, base layers and the like.  Safety items, ice picks, ropes and spud bars. Ice anglers who test questionable ice conditions should have a life jacket or floating ice suit. Organizing this will give you a good idea of what items need to be replaced, maintained or purchased.

I have a list of priorities and it goes as follows.

1. Augers. Start the auger. If it’s electric make sure the battery is fully charged and operational. Gas augers need fresh high octane gas mixed correctly. If there’s an issue find out now. Also, do the blades need to be changed? Some blades are tough to find so checking this out early is a serious advantage. If you punched many holes thru the ice last winter your blades may be dull. You don’t want to find this out on the ice. I like to start the season with new blades.

2. Shelters and what’s in them. I’m speaking from the portable shelter ice angler point of view. Set up your shelter. Air it out on the lawn. Look for defects like holes, fix them if they exist. What about the cover? Do the lights work? Do you have runners? What condition are they in? Are the seats ok? Do you have a shovel in it? Are all the tent spikes handy? Some ice fisherman use floors. Are they in the house? Are you a 5 gallon bucket ice angler? Heaters, are they operational and do you have the needed fuel? Think of what you typically bring and stage it accordingly. When all is deemed right with shelter place the gear back in the shelter.

3. Rods and reels. Inspect your ice fishing rods and reels. Are the reels smooth? How is the drag? Change the line on all of your reels to match the intended use of the rod. For me this is a process that’s well worth it.

4. Rod and gear bags. Inspect your rod/gear bags. Do you have the right stuff for they way you fish?

5. Tip ups. Check them to make sure they operate as intended and change any mono or flouro leaders. Are the correct hooks on each tip up?

6. Lures, tackle, line, fishfinder, bait keeper. I like to organize lure/jigs by species. I carry a panfish box and walleye box. If I’m going to fish pike or lake trout I make a box for them as well. Some ice anglers use ice gear during open water season. Get it out of your boat and add it back to the ice fishing gear. Untangle any lures so you can get at them quickly when on the ice. Toss anything that’s rusted or replace those items. Make a list of what you need? Make sure to have the line you need. Try to envision the ice fishing trips you’ll be taking this winter and prepare accordingly. You’ll need tools to remove hooks. Forcepts and needle nose pliers. Jaw spreaders are always a good idea and so is a bolt cutter. Charge up your fishfinder batteries make sure they are in good condition. It’s my opinion these batteries only last 2-3 seasons. Don’t have your unit die on the ice. Fire up your fishfinder ensure it’s operating. Do you have a If you have any doubt to whether or not it will get you thru the season get it checked out now. Check the Engle bait box and make sure all is well.

7. Snowmobile/ATV. Start your vehicle and run it for a bit. Make sure you’re ready to get your vehicle on the ice. And double check the trailer.

I like to have my gear pretty much visible so I can grab what I need for a particular ice fishing trip with ease. I stage what I want the night before. If you have space have your gear at the ready. This way I’m fast out the door and I can ID anything I might need to purchase before the ice fishing commences.

I’m sure I’ve missed some stuff but I’m hoping to get you in an ice fishing frame of mind to get your brain focused on the coming ice fishing season well ahead of the ice. Feel free to add to the list in the comments.

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