Ice fishing is not something that everyone can appreciate. I mean, who in their right mind would want to sit in the middle of a frozen lake and freeze their butt off for some stinking fish? Well, I do, for one, and there are thousands of other people who can’t wait for the lakes to freeze every winter so they can get their fish on!
What is it about ice fishing in particular that drives people to keep doing it? Well, for some, it is truly a way of survival. You have to eat to live.
For most people, it is a way to relax with their buddies and catch some fish at the same time. Ice fishing is one thing that you either “get” or don’t, and that’s okay.
If you are reading this article, then you are most likely one of the great crazy people in the world like us who enjoys this sort of activity, and the following list of handy items may help to enhance your ice fishing experience.
7 Items to Keep Your Fishing Holes Open for Business
The following seven items are curated for an ice fishing enthusiast like yourself. These products will surely help keep your ice fishing holes from freezing up before pulling in your big catch!
Portable Ice Fishing Skimmer
Additional features of this product include:
- Made with premium materials that are designed to last
- The best part of this particular skimmer is the serrated edge on one side that allows you to scoop out the slush and break up the ice if it starts to freeze over, so you don’t have to use another tool.
ThermaSeat Insulated Ice Fishing Hole Cover
Additional features of this product include:
- It comes in a variety of colors for easy identification
- It floats, so you don’t have to worry about it falling in and sinking
- It keeps ice holes from freezing over
- Reduces the amount of skimming you will need to do
- Small and easy to store, so you are not carrying additional bulky gear
- These insulated hole covers are 12” in diameter to cover a standard-sized ice hole
Lakco Ripple Puck Hole Opener
Another handy tool for those who don’t want to skim their ice holes every 15 – 20 minutes. Just drop it in the hole and let it do its job while you sit back and enjoy the scenery.
- It keeps the water moving, which will prevent the water from freezing
- Takes 3AAA batteries (not included)
- It Will last for around 10 hours
Frabill 1600 Pro Thermal Insulated Tip-Up Trap
The Frabill 1600 Tip-Up is probably one of the coolest things since sliced bread! If you are a serious fisherman who has many ice holes going at the same time, you are probably sick and tired of running around to keep them from freezing up. This product will reduce the amount of running you will have to do.
- Designed to be reliable for ice fishing in extreme temperatures
- Special lubrication is used to ensure that your traps won’t freeze up when you need them the most and can be re-lubricated as needed
- These traps can easily be carried in a five-gallon bucket or something of equal size
- They can cover up to a 10” hole
- They keep the hole from freezing underneath the trap.
Cold Nation Ice Defense Pro Series
Additional features of this product include:
- It easily mounts to any flasher or camera system
- It uses minimal battery power to allow more time for fishing
- This product includes the necessary fittings, connectors, and straps that you will need to get it mounted and ready
- This product works by slowly circulating the water to keep it from freezing so you can fish longer and run less
Eskimo FatFish Pop-Up Portable Ice Fishing Shelter
Additional features of this product include:
- It comes with a handy oversized duffel bag for easy storage
- Convenient mesh storage compartments for keeping your dry gear off the ice
- Designed to keep you warm and safe from the icy wind
- Made with premium materials for ultimate durability
- Self-tapping anchors to keep your hut firmly attached to the ice
- Super strong tie-down straps to go with the self-tapping anchors
- The wide bottom design gives you more room to move around and fish
Mr. Heater Indoor-Safe Portable Propane Heater
Additional features of this product include:
- Made with high-quality materials that are made to last
- Safe for indoor use
- It shuts off automatically if it gets tipped over
- It will run for approximately three hours while on the maximum setting.
Additional Ways to Keep Your Hole From Freezing
Boiling Water
Some say to use hot water, which can be achieved in various ways while on the ice. Whether or not this is truly a time-saving and effective way to keep your holes from freezing is still a matter of opinion.
How can you get boiling water while on the ice?
One way to get hot water is to heat it on a portable camping stove.
- Once you have boiled your water on the camping stove, you can keep it in a thermos.
- Then you can apply the hot water to your ice fishing holes every 30 minutes or so, depending on how cold it is outside.
Another way to obtain hot water while ice fishing is to keep a small coal fire going in a can-style ensemble with a large coffee tin.
- Begin by drilling a few inches away from your central fishing hole slightly smaller than the coffee can.
- Then use a chisel or whatever tool you have available to “dig” a small trench to the central fishing hole.
- Once your can is lit and burning well, it will warm the surface of the ice enough to allow the warm water to run through the trench and into the fishing hole to prevent freezing.
Cooking Spray
Another great trick for slowing the freeze on your ice fishing holes is to spray them with the cooking spray every 30 minutes or so. The cooking spray will not freeze as fast as water and will not harm the fish with any dangerous chemicals.
New School Methods for an Old School Pastime
While all these new-fangled gadgets are pretty handy, they can make any man or woman soft and lazy. Don’t forget the original reason you began ice fishing. Aside from the obvious benefit of getting something to eat, there is a certain peace obtained from communing with nature during its harshest time of the year. Disconnect from the world and let your mind roam.
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