In a state known as the "Winter Wonderland," ice fishing opportunities abound. Ice fishing is one way to see nature while enjoying a winter day, and the fish you catch make a nutritious meal without the high fat content of red meats. Ice fishing gets you up and moving in the cold air, and is a winter activity that can boost your health.
Michigan's Waters
In Michigan, ice fishing enthusiasts have a lot of options for ice fishing--as long as the ice is strong enough. New ice is stronger than old, and thick ice may lie next to thin. Still, the farther north you venture, the better the ice gets as a rule. The fish are plentiful in all of Michigan's numerous small lakes, on the giant lakes of Houghton and Higgins in the north, and along the shorelines of the Great Lakes; there are about 146 species of fish in Michigan, according to the Department of Natural Resources (DNR). "There's walleyes on Saginaw Bay, winter trout on Higgins, more walleyes on Little Bay de Noc," lists Lake Michigan Angler, "big perch on Hamlin, Hubbard and Portage lakes," and bluegill, specks and panfish in lakes across the state.
On the Ice
Ice fishing enthusiasts use augers or other sharp objects to determine whether the ice is safe instead of relying on thickness; the Michigan DNR encourages you to test the ice with a sharp object at each step. Fishermen then drill a hole in the ice with an auger or punch it out with a spud. They remove the ice slush with a large slotted spoon, and choose depth and bait. Tip-ups are used mainly for predator fish, so live bait is the preference. Wax worms, minnows and artificial lures may be used on poles. Depths desired vary from lake to lake and from fish to fish; the most efficient method is to drill several holes, adjust depths and learn as much as you can about the lake involved.
Ice Fishing Methods
Ice fishing enthusiasts in Michigan use two distinct styles of ice fishing, alone or together. Some choose to fish with simple rods, 1- to 3-foot rods that are little more than sticks. The line is attached to the rod, with a bobber if desired, and the bait is dropped through the ice. Or, you can ice fish with a device called a tip-up. The tip-up is similar to a tee-pee and is made of inch-high sticks. The bait descends into the icy depths, and when a fish takes the bait, it causes a flag to rise or a bell to ring, letting you know you have a fish.
Ice Fishing Styles
Many fisherman wear snowmobile suits and hike out onto the ice, drill their holes and sit exposed to the elements. This makes it much easier to change positions to find the fish. However, some fishermen drag a structure--often called an ice shanty, fish house or ice hut--out onto the ice behind snowmobiles or ATVs. The shanty usually sets up simply and can even be heated. It might be as simple as a small space with two holes in the floor, or "as elaborate as...satellite TV, bathrooms, stoves and full-size beds," according to Take Me Fishing.
Ice Fishing Techniques
When the fish stop biting, there are techniques to try to entice them, says Steve Ryan with Lake Link. Try changing from vertical to horizontal movement with your bait, or twist the line between your fingers. Change from live to plastic bait, and bounce the bottom with your bait. Change the color or size of bait, or add chum to your hole by grinding some bait and dropping it in. Add more movement--or less--to the line. Get to know the fish; "try staring down the hole and watching as fish take the bait," Ryan says, to learn the habits of the fish you seek.
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