Dharvey3 Loc: Northern Illinois

I wish you could see all the ice fishing gear that I have. Turning 68 in April, I have lived and worked long hours to achieve my goals. I have everything any ice fisherman could use. The problem is I live in Illinois. You are not allowed to drive on the ice. I am thinking about moving to maybe Alaska. Any where you can drive a box truck onto the ice. I think a box truck would do it. Besides I don't think there are any fish that bite under the ice in Illinois anymore. I have it all, I just need a caravan of people to help me get it all out there. I sit and watch the fish on the camera, but they don't want what I have, so I have bought everything a fish could want. Still no bites. They look big on camera so I bought fifty pound test mono, if I hook one he's not getting away. Have you seen what fifty mono looks like when it's cold. I have to open the shanty door and pull the hard as a rock line out the door to check it. I know I just need a better lure or bait. Any help here would be appreciated. Thanks Dan

stuco Loc: Northern Utah - Salt Lake City

You're singing to the choir here dh. I think it was 3 winters ago my son and I decided we needed to try ice fishing. I bought a hand auger, a couple really cheap ice fishing combos and we went out on the ice. I went today with one friend and we could hardly fit all the gear(my gear) in two sleds. It's a disease, an addiction, a compulsion. I think I'll run to Sportsman's before they close to see what I don't have that I should...

Jeremy Loc: America

I would be like you two for sure. All my hobbies and jobs have always become a buying all the doo dads thing.

Bcmech1 Loc: Clinton Wisconsin

You seem to think it's a bad thing having all that stuff. Couldn't be farther from the truth.

stuco Loc: Northern Utah - Salt Lake City

It’s only bad for the bank account. It’s good in every other way.

USAF Major Loc: Sea Bright, NJ

You don't have to go to Alaska. I've seen 5 ton trucks on the St. Mary's River in the U.P. of Michigan.

Cif Loc: Chicago Southland

I've seen trucks on the ice as far south as Lake Geneva, Wi.

Shelbill Loc: Lake county mich

Houghton lake mi has a ice fishing festival next weekend that runs till the end of the month.
You would have an opportunity to see the full spectrum of ice fishing. They usually have an 18 hole golf course and a small airport on the ice, but tip up town has lots of north michigan folks enjoying the great outdoors and searching for the biggest fish.

nutz4fish Loc: Colchester, CT

Well, we're not an exclusive group, that's for sure. I gave up ice fishing a few years back and donated it to my ice buddies, who take advantage of a generous friend and store it at his lake house garage attic. Too cold for my aging body, no shanty ice cover in Southern New England, or I might do that, Grumpy Old Men style, and wait for Sophia Loren and Ann Margaret.

nutz4fish Loc: Colchester, CT

Almost forgot ...... I've had great success with shiners, small for yellow perch and trout, biggger ones for bass and chain pickerel. A few times I got on ice in the coves of the Connecticut River, ( always iffy ) and used huge shiners or 10-12" white suckers ( check your regulations)to catch Northern Pike, never targeted walleyes but suspect they would feast on shiners as well. Maybe try everything in your tackle box like jigging with spinnerbaits, casting spoons, large streamers, chatter baits, lipless cranks, everything.
Another thought, maybe there is something wrong with the scent of ALL your tackle. Perhaps you could try masking it with garlic, anchovies, or a commercial scent. If this helps, you'll need to change your storage area to something different, never ever near or in laundry room. Just thinkin'.

Walleye man Loc: Hazel sd

Come to south Dakota and try some ice fishing. Just a suggestion any way

lipsticker Loc: Hartford Wisconsin

I’m thinking 50# mono is problem 1. Can’t imagine that on “ spool” for ice fishing. I would scrap the mono and go to old school braid( the black stuff ) for my filler. The use a floro-carbon / mono leader. Run as light a leader as you can. Pan fishing 4# toothy fish 10 maybe 12. Remember when the ice is on water clears. Nothing much growing and things can’t stir with a lid over them. Light set ups with smaller baits for winter.

EdwardL Loc: Tenino Wa.

I’ve seen snow machines go through the ice on the fox river like every year when i lived in stream wood Ill
But you can go to Wisconsin or Minnesota