Ice Fishing Equipment: Gear, Lures, Lake Trout And Fishing In Alaska

At first, ice fishing equipment may not be thought to play a large role in the sport. The concept of ice fishing seems easy enough, just bait the hook, drop it into a hole in the ice, and wait for the lake trout to start biting. But to make such an assumption would be a very big mistake, as strategy and ice fishing equipment can play a major role in whether or not a fishing trip is successful.

Some of the most essential ice fishing equipment also happens to be very basic tools of the trade. A map of the lake where fishing is a great thing to have, as this can show the contours and depths of a lake. Another good piece of ice fishing gear is a depth finder, though a substitute can be made by tying knots every five feet along a piece of fishing line. By weighting the end, the line can be lowered into the waters for a relatively easy way to measure depth without increasing an ice fishing equipment budget.

Another fancy piece of ice fishing equipment is an underwater camera, which allows the fisherman to see their quarry and ideally, lure them in more effectively. Underwater cameras for ice fishing tend to have a screen attached to a long cord which is dangled into the water. Of course, ice fishing equipment such as an underwater camera is not always a great idea. A camera can only help so much, and with all the other ice fishing equipment that is absolutely needed, a camera might be just extra weight to lug around.

As for ice fishing lures, a simple jig or minnow should do the trick, though other fishing lures can be successful at times as well. The ice fishing lure is one piece of ice fishing equipment someone might not want to over invest in. Since different lures can produce different results, it is good to have a nice sampling of lures to choose from. This seems to hold true no matter where you are, as ice fishing in Minnesota and Alaska is generally successful by using similar bait and lures. However, too many of one kind of lure is a bit of a waste, and barring a snap in the line, a lure is one piece of ice fishing equipment that can be re-used.

While new ice fishing equipment can be exciting and useful, always remember all the ice fishing gear brought on a trip will also have to brought back; hopefully with the added weight of a few heavy lake trout. Imagine ice fishing in Alaska, miles from anywhere, and finding a prize catch is too heavy to take back because too much was packed. So pack light, but pack smart, and bring the ice fishing equipment that is going to be the most beneficial. Whether trying some luck with brand new ice fishing equipment nearby, or trying some luck ice fishing in Alaska, Minnesota or the frozen tundra of Canada, there is no fun in fishing if there is not a little challenge.

Sources:
"New Age of Ice Fishing Is Here." The Times-Tribune.com. 22 Jan. 2006. The Times-Tribune. 15 Aug. 2007. Alaska Fish and Wildlife News. 2007. Alaska Fish and Game Department. 15 Aug. 2007. http://www.wildlifenews.alaska.gov/index.cfm?adfg= wildlife_news.view_article&articles_id=119& />
Peck, Darren. "Ice Fishing With Captain Darren Peck." Tofte Charters. 2007. Tofte Charters. 15 Aug. 2007. http://www.toftecharters.com/icefishing.html.