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Fishing action can be fast and furious when winter seals the lakes under ice. Best of all, there are no bugs to pester you! Read on for some tips to help you get started fishing safely, then load your gear onto your sled and head for the nearest shanty town!

Catch and Release

Protect the future of fishing; practice catch and release. A fish's body slows down in the winter reducing its need for oxygen. This helps make catch and release during ice fishing highly successful.

Ice auger - used to drill holes in the ice.
Bait bucket - holds live bait such as minnows.
Skimmer - used to keep the hole clear of ice and slush.
Additional equipment could include an ice chisel to widen auger holes.

Here are some things you can follow while ice fishing to increase your safety while you are on and around the ice.

Stay warm.

Dress in layers. Wear wool hats, mittens and waterproof boots. Ice shanties keep the wind and blowing snow from chilling you to the bone.

Don't get lost.

To avoid getting lost on a large lake, be aware of daylight and weather conditions. Learn to use a map and compass to stay oriented.

A Simple Tool.

You can make a simple tool that could help save your life if you fall through. Drive nails in one end of two stubby dowels, drill a hole in each of the other ends and tie a rope through the holes. Keep this around your neck so it's handy. Use it to dig into the ice and quickly claw your way out if you fall through. Once on the ice surface, head back to shore the way you came.

Stay on top of the ice.

The DNR does not monitor ice conditions or the thickness of the ice. Check ice conditions before heading out. Make sure the ice is at least four inches thick before walking out onto it. If taking a snowmobile, ATV or other vehicle, at least five (5) inches is needed to safely travel onto the ice. Because thickness can vary across an area, check more than one spot. Remember this rule of thumb: "Thick and blue, tried and true. Thin and crispy, way too risky."

Don't go out alone.

Head out with fishing friends. Take a cell phone if available and make sure someone knows where you are and when you are expected to return.

Tip-ups - Used for game fish; a flag "tips up" when a fish strikes.
Lures - Ice flies and teardrop lures with live bait are recommended for panfish.
Hooks - Small No. 10 or 12 hooks are recommended for panfish. Short shank No. 3 hooks work well for walleye, while northern pike require large No. 2/0 to 6/0 hooks.
Jigging Rods - Light and flexible rods used primarily for panfish and walleye.
Jigs - Walleyes can be caught on minnow imitation jigs.

Line for panfish for small No. 10 or 12 hooks - light, monofilament, 2 to 4-pound test is all that is needed.
Game fish - require a stronger line - for the short shank No. 3 hooks for walleye, and large No. 2/0 to 6/0 hooks for northern pike require at least a 10-pound test is advised.

In Wisconsin, bluegill, perch, walleye and northern pike are the most sought after species in winter. Bluegill and perch are the most commonly caught.

Minnows are preferred bait for many of the fish listed below. When fishing minnows, remember there are restrictions designed to prevent spread of VHS.

Bluegill: Try fishing in shallow bays where the water is about four to eight feet deep. For bait, try a teardrop lure tipped with live insect larvae. Gently jig the lure up and down.

Perch: Jig for perch at 35 feet. For bait, try small, live minnows or weighted ice flies and insect larvae. (Minnows are illegal on some lakes -- check the fishing regulations for a summary of Wisconsin fishing laws and fishing regulations.)

Walleye: This schooling fish is found along the shorelines and in shallow bays. As with northern pike, tip-ups rigged with minnows are the best technique. (Minnows are illegal on some lakes -- check the fishing regulations for a summary of Wisconsin fishing laws and fishing regulations.)

Northern Pike: Fish shallow bays with large live minnows on a tip-up in four to 12 feet of water. (Minnows are illegal on some lakes -- check the fishing regulations for a summary of Wisconsin fishing laws and fishing regulations.)

For more great articles about ice fishing in Wisconsin, see the following links:

Deerskin Gloves vs Cowskin Gloves

Deerskin is one of the most difficult leathers to work with, both in it's tanning process, and in the making of leather goods. This, and limited availability, prevents it from being a leather that can be stamped out and sewn into products by the millions using inexperienced labor and many common mass production methods. When done properly however, it produces one of the strongest, softest, most durable, and comfortable gloves you can wear.

A properly cut deerskin glove has stretch widthwise and very little stretch lengthwise. This means a snug fitting glove that will expand with your hand when you make a fist or grip something,but the fingers won't stretch or become floppy.

The physical structure of deerskin leather is different than other types of skins. It's elongated interwoven fibers give it an extremely high shear strength and abrasion resistance. The spaces between the fibers make the leather soft and comfortable over a wider range of temperatures than others. In other words: cooler in the warm weather and warmer in the cold weather.

The combination of a naturally superior leather,tanned, cut and sewn by Experienced crafts people using age old processes, results in a product that truly "fits like a glove".

Unlike man-made materials that appear flawless, any skin has surface scratches and scars, etc., and contain Subtle variations in color and texture resulting in natural markings which add to the uniqueness of each item. These variations in no way affect the durability or performance of the glove. Normal use will enhance the character of this leather.

Just in time for the cold season, Pep's Taxidermy is offering to exchange hides for deerkin gloves. These gloves are constructed of top-grade deerskin for an unbeatable combination of softness and durability. The traditional feel of deerskin or elkskin can't be equaled.

Deerskin can be safely washed using warm water and mild soap. This removes accumulated dirt, oils and stains and will help gloves last longer and feel nicer. After rinsing to remove residual soap, gloves should be gently wrung damp and allowed to dry gradually at room temperature. Do not apply direct heat when drying. They shrink slightly but will stretch to fit during wear.

The gloves are fashioned from Natural USA Deerskin, Elkskin and sometimes even Bison leather. A Remarkably strong and durable, yet soft and flexible material.

You will notice color variations and natural grain etchings and scratches in the leather. This means that it's own "Natural Beauty" is preserved in the tanning process.

....Taxidermy.net - One stop taxidermy resource, including schools, suppliers, associations, latest news, shows, and more.

Wisconsin Taxidermy Association, taxidermist, wisconsin

...Wisconsin Taxidermist Association - Members receive a membership card, quarterly newsletters and an annual report. WTA also keeps its members up-to-date on state and national policies that are directed at our profession. They host annual competitions and seminars put on by some of the best international, national and state taxidermists today.

The Silent Rooster of Wonewoc, WI - They carry country, rustic and primitive decorations and collectibles, and you can even purchase some of our lamps and mounts there as well!

Identicard Company Fishing, Hunting, Wildlife Products and Information. Fishing and hunting videos and dvds, wildlife art prints, great gift ideas, tips and techniques and thousands of links to hunting and fishing sites.

Buy Hunting Crossbows - www.xbowsplus.com carries TenPoint, Horton, and Excalibur, crossbow parts and hunting accessories, including Leatherman, Gerber Knives, Bushnell Binoculars & Laser Rangefinders.

To print the coupon below, click on the image to open it in a new page, then select print, or right mouse click and select "Print Image."

Linking Criteria:

If you have a website that is related to trade schools, education, taxidermy, hunting, fishing, wildlife or Wisconsin, please email us if you would like to have your link on this page. We will accept links under the following conditions:

1.We will expect a link in return and will give you the necessary info when you contact us.
2 Our link must appear on a page within your site that is only one click away from your home page.
3.Your site must be useful to our visitors, (see above). We do not link to unrelated sites.

Please feel free to contact us if you feel you meet the above criteria. Thank you.