Tag Archives: ice-fish

Ice Fishing: Tip Ups

Ice Fishing: Tip Ups

Tip-ups is an ice fishing technique as well as a piece of ice fishing equipment. Tip ups are devices that are set on the ice above your hole that dangle bait beneath it. They feature a flag attached that acts as a strike indicator. When a fish takes the bait, the reel turns and releases the line and flag at the same time. The flag “tips up” alerting the angler that a fish is on the line. Tip ups work best with heavier braided line and a larger lure, and typically attract larger game fish.

How to Ice Fish Using Tip Ups

  • Set your tip-up on the surface of the ice above your hole, drop your line in the water until it hits the lake bottom.
  • Raise the line slightly above the lake-bed.
  • The line can  remain still or if you are not in a shelter, you can use the wind to provide a natural jigging-type of movement.

 

Many ice-anglers try all of these techniques at the same time to see which works best for that particular body of water, the species available and the conditions that season. If you use multiple fishing rods or tip-ups, be sure to check the regulations as there may be limits on the numbers of rods an ice angler can use.

Both New York State and Vermont regulations for Lake Champlain allow no more than 15 lines per angler. Be aware that limits on other bodies of water in each state may restrict the number of lines significantly. Check the regulations for the specific body of water that you fish at the sites below!

 

Other Lake Champlain Ice Fishing Articles:

 

Anglers: Put Safety First When Ice Fishing

Anglers: Put Safety First When Ice Fishing

A Minimum of Four Inches of Clear Ice is Safe for Anglers on Foot!

Anglers: Put Safety First When Ice Fishing

Lake Champlain Ice Fishing Perch and Panfish

The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) reminds ice anglers to use caution and common sense during ice fishing season.Four inches or more of solid ice is considered to be safe for anglers accessing ice on foot. Ice anglers should note that ice thickness can vary on every body of water and even on the same body of water.

“Ice fishing is a popular sport in New York and interest in it increases every year,” said DEC Commissioner Basil Seggos. “Safety is the first thing to consider when taking part in the sport, and we remind people to use good judgement when venturing onto the ice. Ice fishing is great for families looking to try something new, and parents can mix in skating, snowshoeing, cross country skiing, or other activities during ice fishing trips to keep everyone interested and happy.”

Anglers should be particularly wary of areas of moving water and around boat docks and houses where bubblers may be installed to reduce ice buildup. The presence of snowmobile tracks or footprints on the ice should not be considered as evidence of safe ice conditions. Individuals are strongly encouraged to check ice conditions and avoid situations that appear to present even a remote risk. Testing the thickness of ice can be done easily with an auger or ice spud at various spots.

 

Anglers: Put Safety First When Ice Fishing
Lake Champlain Ice Fishing: Northern Pike

 

As part of New York Governor Cuomo’s “NY Open for Fishing and Hunting Initiative”, Feb. 18 and 19 have been designated as a free fishing weekend. The requirement for a fishing license is waived during this period. The free fishing weekend is a great opportunity to try ice fishing for the first time and for experienced anglers to introduce their friends to the sport. Beginning ice anglers are encouraged to download the Ice Fishing Chapter of DEC’s new I FISH NY Beginners’ Guide to Freshwater Fishing for information on how to get started ice fishing.

Additional information, including a list of waters open to ice fishing, can found on the DEC ice fishing web page and the Public Lakes and Ponds map.

The use of fish for bait is popular when ice fishing, and bait fish may be used in most, but not all, waters open to ice fishing. Visit the DEC website for a list of Special Regulations by County to find out where bait fish can and cannot be used, and for other regulations that apply to baitfish available on DEC’s website.

Anglers are reminded to take these important steps when using baitfish while ice fishing:

  • Follow the bait fish regulations to prevent the spread of harmful fish diseases and invasive species (please see: Special Regulations by County).
  • Use only certified disease-free bait fish purchased at a local tackle store, or use only personally collected bait fish for use in the same water body in which they were caught.
  • Do not reuse baitfish in another water-body if the water the fish were purchased in has not been replaced.
  • Dump unused baitfish and water in an appropriate location on dry land.

Anglers are reminded to make sure that they have a valid fishing license before heading out on the ice during non-free fishing weekends. Fishing licenses are valid for 365 days from the date of purchase. To learn more, visit DEC’s Sporting Licenses webpage.

 

Other Lake Champlain Ice Fishing Articles:

 

 

Ice Fishing – Jigging

Lake Champlain Ice Fishing – Jigging

 

Jigging is using an ice fishing rod and hook-and-line to fish and then moving the bait up-and-down or side-to-side. Jigging works best for smaller fish like panfish. You can use lures or live bait while jigging.

Here are some simple steps to practice this technique:

  • Drop your line into the hole and let your jig hook sink to the bottom.
  • Very slowly raise your bait up about a foot off the bottom.
  • Jig your bait or lure up and down, side to side, or up and down and sideways.
  • Don’t move the bait too much or too quickly or the fish might not think it’s worth the effort to bite it.

 

Here are some locations to test your new technique: Lake Champlain Ice Fishing Opportunities.

 

 

Frabill Ice Fishing Safety Kit

Other Lake Champlain Ice Fishing Articles:

 

What is Ice Fishing On Lake Champlain?

Ice Fishing on Lake Champlain

You’ve seen them… sitting on a plastic bucket, huddled over a hole in the ice for hours. Or perhaps in a colony of colorful makeshift shanties. Ice anglers – are they crazy? While the sanity of any angler is often questioned, that’s a different matter.

 

What is Ice Fishing On Lake Champlain? shanties

 

If you’re not already an ice fishing fan, you may wonder – just what is ice fishing anyway?  Some think its one big party, like a tailgate party, with food and drink. In some ways they’re right; ice fishing can be a very social sport.

 

What is Ice Fishing On Lake Champlain? walleyeFor many anglers around the Lake Champlain valley, snow and freezing temperatures mean the start of their favorite fishing season.  Ice fishermen sharpen their auger blades, lube reels on jigging rods and on tip ups, and head out to catch fish.

 

Primarily it is fishing, and there are different levels, just as in like other types fishing.  Some ice fishermen use electronics to find the water temperatures and drop-off structure of the lake bed to find fish and catch them up.  Some use live bait like minnows on tip ups and others jig for bass, panfish, trout, or walleye.  Some anglers sit on a bucket, while others lounge in shanties that feature couches, heaters, cook-stoves, tv’s and bunks.

 

Ice fishing is a celebration of winter, but it is fun, and the camaraderie is infectious.  You might find yourself day-dreaming about cold days and frozen surfaces.  And when a tip up flag flies or a fish slams a jig you’ll be reminded why you’re here.  Fish are what it’s all about – just like any other time of the year.

 

What is Ice Fishing On Lake Champlain?

 

Lake Champlain features outstanding ice fishing opportunities for lake trout, salmon, northern pike, walleye and panfish. For a list of top locations for each type of fish and tips to catch them, check out: Lake Champlain Ice Fishing.

Make sure you’re properly licensed, and have all the right safety gear before you hit the ice this winter. Always practice safety on the ice (see: 12 Ice Safety Tips). Enjoy!
 

Other Lake Champlain Ice Fishing Articles:

Vermont Free Ice Fishing Day 2017

Vermont Free Ice Fishing Day 2017

vermont-free-ice-fishing-day 2017

 

If you’ve always wanted to try ice fishing but never got around to it, Vermont Fish & Wildlife is offering a “FREE ICE FISHING DAY” on the last Saturday in January.

Saturday, January 28, 2017 is Vermont’s free ice fishing day – a day when anyone, resident or nonresident, may go fishing in Vermont without a fishing license.

Vermont Ice Fishing Festival

To celebrate the Vermont Free Ice Fishing Day the Department is holding a FREE Ice Fishing Festival! Vermont Fish & Wildlife staff will be there to help everyone, young and old, learn how to enjoy this unique and popular type of fishing.

WHERE: Hoyts Landing, Springfield, VT get directions

WHEN: Saturday, January 28, 2017 – 11:00 am to 3:00 pm

EVENT SCHEDULE:

11:00 am – Registration Opens

11:00 am to 3:00 pm – Fun Family Activities

This year, Fish & Wildlife staff and Let’s Go Fishing volunteers will help new ice anglers learn the basics of winter ice fishing with stations including:

 

Ice Fishing Gear Explained
Tip-up Techniques
Using a Rod and Jig
Fish Identification Game
Knot-tying Know-how and tackle craft

Plus enjoy a fish fry and cocoa (bring your own mug if you can)! Warming huts will be available to keep you comfortable.

Bring your own ice fishing equipment or you can borrow ours.

Pre-register now to avoid long lines at registration and get in the “fast pass” lane for ice fishing!​

pre-register now

For more information, contact Nicole Meier (Nicole.Meier@vermont.gov) by email or call 802-318-1347.

 

Frabill Ice Fishing Safety Kit

Other Lake Champlain Ice Fishing Articles: