But there is a lot more that goes into ice fishing than meets the eye. When summer comes to an end and the cold sets in, and we are preparing for a frigid cold winter most anglers are getting excited for subzero temperatures to make ice on our lakes. 

 

So what is the big appeal to ice fishing?  Some of the local fisherman say it is the excitement that comes with continuing the hunt for the big one! Fishing can be a self-taught sport, however most Minnesota natives are introduced at a very young age.

 

Lee Gilyard of Santiago prefers to fish out of his pick-up truck. Sitting out of the driver door with two holes one for fishing and the other occupied by his vexilar. “Eagle Lake is my favorite lake because it is close to home”.  Not a fan of the ice house, fishing out of his truck gives him the mobility to move when he wants without moving a house too.

 

Watching the bobber go under gives Gilyard such a charge. He enjoys how relaxing it is to just get away from everyone and everything. Now retired ,he is getting to go fishing more often.

 

 Mr. Sutton of Becker can remember his first ice fishing trip with his dad when he was only three years old. He remembers playing in the minnow bucket, catching minnows with the scoop. Since then, Sutton has been a dedicated angler of all seasons, cherishing ice fishing. He says it is the adrenaline rush of setting the hook and getting the fish to the surface without losing it.

 

He also goes out every chance he gets, averaging one to three days a week.

 

Keeton and Josewski are longtime friends and fishing buddies. They have both traveled all over Minnesota and into Canada to fish. Both men have fished the local lakes, Briggs Lake Chain and the lakes in Big Lake.

 

Keeton moved to Becker in 1983 from Ohio when he had his first encounter with a frozen lake. It was Eagle Lake. He and a friend were on call at work and Keeton needed to pick him up off the lake. He can remember how scary it was to drive on the lake and hear the ice crack beneath the truck. “I had my seat belt off and the door open if I need to jump out”.

 

 With many stories to tell they both can agree the sport of ice fishing has grown over the last 30 years.  The men have seen the lakes go from a dozen houses on Eagle Lake, located on Co. Rd. 75, to forming a small city on the lake, like this year. Jerry explains he first caught the bug in the winter of 1984 shortly after he moved, when he pulled up a 10-pound northern. The excitement has fueled him to continue to repeat that moment over and over again.

 

Josewski started fishing with his dad at age 12. It wasn’t just the fishing it was playing cribbage and other card games with his family while waiting for the fish to bite. 

 

Ice fishing becomes a very social sport. There is more time to socialize and engage with other people around you, with the same common interests. Josewski is a very proud father who has taken his children out both summer and ice fishing and is now moving on to teaching the next generation of his family to fish, his grandchildren. 

 

Ice fishing has really evolved over the last 30 years in many ways. One obvious way is the technology that has erupted. The most talked about and essential piece of equipment, besides the reels and augers, are the fish finders. Fish finders/Vexilars use sonar waves to send signals of objects below the ice back to the surface.  Which make finding the fish and even better, which type of fish easier to locate.

 

Jeff Nagorski lives on Mitchell Lake, in Big Lake and is also the vice president of the Big Lake Community Lakes Association. He more than agrees with the increase of popularity of the ice fishing sport. Remembering his first ice fishing experience at 10 years old with his older brother, it was cold but was more than excited to kick through the ice holes.

 

Nagorski not only ice fishes but also spears. He likes to watch the fish swim by and watches which type of fish are checking out his bait. “It is less expensive than fishing in the summer and really helps break up the winter months when there are fewer options for outdoor activities”.

 

He can remember when there weren’t any gas powered augers and an ice house was build out of canvas or other materials. Now the ice houses are fully equipped with heaters and insulation. 

 

They are more like small homes with TV’s and anglers can stay out longer in any temperature. When asked about the best fishing hot spots, the golden rule was very apparent. You don’t give out your secrets. Not even when it comes to bait.  All of the fisherman can agree the lakes do have fish in them. You just have to get out there and find them.

 

Josewski has been known to drill 30 holes and walk each and one with his vexilar to find the fish and what depth they are before settling down with one specific hole.

 

With any sport there is always the responsibility of being safe. Conservation Officer Mitch Sladek encourages all anglers and other users of the lakes to be careful. Make sure you know how thick the ice is before driving out or even walking out on it. Also, carry safety equipment with you in case an incident arises. Everyone who uses the lakes should be aware of their surroundings and the effect they have on it.