Veteran advice for getting your kids into fishing on the ice!
Seeing a tripped flag standing up in the winter’s breeze is a feeling unlike any other when it comes to fishing. There is a childlike wonder and excitement at what might have taken your bait and now waits at the end of your line. Being the first to call out a flag, or the first to race to it is as much fun as you can have in fishing and adding a group of kids to the mix really enhances the celebratory nature of the sport.
Ice fishing holds its own place in the angling world. While there are many familiar aspects to it, pulling a fish out from a hole in the ice is as unique as is the culture that surrounds it. There is a camaraderie and community tied to ice fishing that makes a perfect family friendly activity. Getting outside together to enjoy the season and share a hot bite or beverage with family and friends really encapsulates what makes our ice season here in New England so special.
Rounding up the kids to get them outside can sometimes be a chore during the winter months, so what better motivation is there to bundle them up, and get out to chase some flags?
Safety First
Anyone who has any knowledge of ice fishing understands that ice safety is the most important part of a trip. How to be safe around frozen bodies of water is the first thing we can teach our kids when it comes to enjoying a day on the hardwater. If your kids, or the ones you’re bringing out are new to the ice, an age-appropriate primer about what to do and what not to do is good practice. Another good discussion to have is about the safety gear we bring, why we bring it and how to use it should the need ever arise. Whether your crew of little ice fishermen is made up of newbies or burgeoning diehards it’s always a good idea to talk about areas that are safe and which ones might be off-limits.
Safety in this context doesn’t just apply to ice thickness or the typical safety equipment like spud bars or ropes. Things like appropriate outerwear and studs or grips for their boots can make the difference in a day. Finding the right size grips for small boots can be a challenge so I like to drill hex head sheet metal screws into their boots before a trip and remove them after. This simple process only takes a few minutes and on days with glare ice, improves mobility and means greatly reducing chances of slips and falls (at least, of the accidental variety).
Pick Your Spots
One thing I had to learn when I first started to take my kids on the ice was to change my mindset in where I wanted to fish. While not universal for everyone, depending the on the age of the kids, long drives or walks aren’t necessarily the best way to maximize your fishing time. Choosing lakes and ponds that are relatively close to home with good parking and access can make for a much better experience for our little ones. When my kids were very small, I liked to stay within sight of our vehicle. As they get older and can handle more time and responsibility on the ice, I still like to keep walks as short as possible so that should we need to get back to the car for any reason, or, just to warm up… we can do so pretty quickly.
Similarly, picking a spot that offers a good chance at actually catching fish makes things a lot more interesting and fun. If you’re just introducing young anglers to the sport, finding a place that offers good action rather than your favorite trophy lake is probably a good choice. In my experience bringing my own kids, nieces, nephews or friends who are new to the sport, a solid day of multi-species action can be all it takes to spark a new interest and get them to want to come back again. Flying flags make for lots of activity and excitement and getting that positive feedback in the form of a bass, bluegill, pickerel or perch is just as much fun as landing a lunker.
‘Target rich environments’ with lots of willing fish – regardless of size – can be a challenge. Take some time to consider the repertoire of likely spots in your area. Or, pick the brain of a local tackle shop owner and try to find places where you’re most likely to have lots of flags popping. Another benefit of a good panfish, bass, or even stocked trout pond is that they provide lots of chances for kids to learn the ropes of getting to a flag, setting the hook and handlining a fish so everyone can enjoy some hands-on experience.
Preparation Is Key
Anyone already familiar with ice fishing knows the amount of preparation it takes to get a trip together. Packing your sled full of the right gear for a day on the ice includes not just your bait and fishing equipment but enough clothes, food and other essentials to stay warm and fed on a winter day. If you’re looking to enjoy a successful day with the kids on the ice, the “warm and fed” part of this equation are magnified and multiplied many times over.
When it comes to bundling up, dressing properly can mean the difference between a memorable day and short trip or worse, one that ends in tears. If you can, getting some good quality base layers for the kids is good idea. The outerwear, boots, hats and gloves they use to go sledding will suffice out on the ice, but have extras of everything on hand. Hand warmers are key. I buy a big box of them at the start of each season to be sure we never run out.
I knew snacks would be important when I first started bringing my family out on the ice, but I still managed to underestimate just how important they are. Whether it’s a box of donuts, a bag of Doritos, a pack of cookies or any other favorite snack, bringing enough for them to munch on through the day keeps everyone happy and occupied from setup through pickup. And it is simply impossible to understate the importance of hot chocolate.
If you’re an ice veteran, bringing the whole kit including a shack, heater, chairs and grill is the play. Simple, hot food is not only good to warm up, or feed hungry little bellies, it’s part of the experience and part of what makes a day on the ice enjoyable and unique regardless of the weather or the quality of the fishing. Grilled cheese, hot dogs, kielbasa and pierogies have all been top shelf fare for the groups I’ve fished with and having the kids help cook is all part of the fun. The same goes for bringing enough gear or wood along to start a fire. Besides, the warmth it provides, keeping an outdoor fire going on a winter day gives kids something to do and creates a gathering place until the next flag pops.
The More The Merrier
Ice fishing lends itself to communal fun more than any other type of angling I’ve experienced. This could not be truer than when it comes to bringing out the family. In the few years I’ve done it, my observation has been the more kids that come, the more fun we have. Whether it’s getting together with longtime fishing buddies and their families, or inviting first timers to come out and visit for a little while, making a day on the ice into a party is what makes ice fishing fundamentally enjoyable.
| POWER MOVES |
Every parent knows that an uncomfortable kid is a recipe for a short and frustrating day, no matter what the activity. Here’s a short list of comfort essentials to keep the little ones happy and warm on the ice!
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A group of kids and adults gathered around a hole in the ice cheering on a little ice angler as they battle a fish is a memorable experience for all involved. Taking the time to teach kids about how ice fishing works, why we use the tools and contraptions that we do, and how to use them is all part of the experience. Setting a tip-up, baiting a hook, keeping holes clear of ice, checking your baits, there’s so much for little ice fisherman to learn and do throughout a day on the ice.
Another plus side of getting together with or bringing along friends on the ice is that even if the fishing is slow, the kids tend to occupy themselves. There is lots to explore on a frozen pond and its shorelines and there’s always lots to learn. I always think back to the late great surfcaster and author Frank Daignault in what he said concerning bringing kids along to fish. I’m paraphrasing but he said kids will always be naturally drawn to the water and fishing. They are little scientists by nature, discovering the world. This is especially true in the winter wonderland that is a frozen pond, a place that is familiar but now changed in a way that allows for a much different experience.
It doesn’t hurt to have a few extra adults along on a trip with kids on the ice either. Beyond the camaraderie and social scene, a trip to the ice can be a bit labor intensive. An extra hand is helpful, as are the extra eyes to make sure everyone is happy and safe. This is especially true in my experience at pickup time. One thing I’ve learned on these trips is that when it’s time to go an expedient pick up is best for all involved. Having a group to share in the task makes things smoother.
Ice fishing is a great way to get outside and take in the winter season. The tradition runs deep here in the northeast and changing weather has made this experience a more of a novelty than the guarantee it once was. Taking advantage of the cold when we get it means we can pass the tradition and good times down to new generations of ice anglers. At its core, ice fishing is a fun experience, and bringing kids along with us reminds us all why we’re really out there in the first place.
