I went ice fishing today with my kiddo.

[MontanaMama]

My son is 15 and has always loved fishing but this winter, ice fishing seems to have really grabbed his interest. We’ve been collecting equipment...a hut, a battery operated ice auger, some new rods and a sled to haul it all. We didn’t catch anything today but we learned how to use all the stuff. It was fun! I’m grateful for the hut because the wind just howled today. Oh...and I saw my first ever wild river otter. WOW! I am so tired tonight...but what a good day.

[Baitball Blogger]

1. I don't know much about these things, but I think it's a sport

that requires absolute quiet, otherwise the fish get scared away. So, it's great that you had a good time with your son. I think that was the best catch of the day.

[MontanaMama]

3. I don't know much about these things either...

I’m leaning along with my son. We were quiet except for the howling winds...and we did have a baseball game on my phone...I needed something to keep me awake. I was so cold! I could’ve succumbed to hypothermia, I swear. Let the record books show I was a good sport.

[dem4decades]

2. That's great. I like the idea of a shelter and a heater. Ice fishermen really love it, my brother

would jig for hours. I hate getting my hands cold so I wasn't a big fan.

[Laffy Kat]

4. That looks so COLD!

What a great bonding experience.

[taxi]

5. Oh, that's way too cold

If your luck fishing wasn't so good, try this. Go otter watching and bring your pole while you're waiting.?

[2naSalit]

6. Wow...

That's a pretty fancy hut! I've been seeing a lot of them this year. I made a mad dash to central MN about a month ago and those things were everywhere, all shapes and sizes.

Do yourself a favor and go buy a box of hand and toe warmer packets each. They work great and last for hours. I used to use them when I volunteered at ski races and such. No matter what your gear is made of, you're going to get cold after a while if you aren't highly active, those things will keep you warm. They have patches you can put on your torso too. Then you won't be so cold. And you can sit there for hours without a hut heater.

[MontanaMama]

15. I think you're right about moving round...

The wind was howling so I wasn’t much for going out when I didn’t have to. That said...I started cross country skiing this winter and I was lamenting not bringing my skis to tool around the lake. It’s nice and flat and it would have been good practice. I have a hard time sitting in general. I like to keep busy.

A mad dash to MN? That’s a long drive, sister! Especially in the winter. 🥶

[2naSalit]

19. Round trip...

took 54hrs with two sleep stops. I was the helper driver, a friend had to go fetch a vehicle and paid all expenses. We were halfway back home at the end of the second day. First day we left at 1pm local time and arrived about an hour into MN in 12 hours. It's how I travel, no messin' around until the work is done, and we were trying to outrun an incoming storm just as that arctic air mass was moving in. We had dry rad all the way. It was a nice break in my cabin fever, I need a little adventure from time to time. Haven't been out across ND in a long time.

[yonder]

7. Having fun is the best way to fish. Cold or not.

[SeattleVet]

8. Looking at those photos I only have one question...

how do you get the canoe through that tiny little hole?

[James48]

9. Short season

Here in northern Michigan, we used to be able to ice fish from just after Christmas until the middle of March.

Now, with climate change, it’s a lot riskier. The ice was good for about three weeks, but yesterday it warmed up, and the ive started breaking up. Today the wind is blowing hard and it’s not safe to be on the ice. We only had two weeks or so to fish this year.

[wendyb-NC]

10. Wow, what a cool thing to do

with your son. One of those memorable, precious times. The skills you learned, and practiced are unique to ice fishing. How thick was the ice"?
Thank you. for sharing your adventure.

[MontanaMama]

16. Ice was about 18" thick where we were.

Once we shoveled snow off the spot where we drilled the holes, the ice was remarkably clear. I was surprised how beautiful it was.

[Rhiannon12866]

11. My Dad used to go ice fishing with his friends when we lived up North on the lake.

I still remember seeing all those huts out on the lake, I think they called them shanties. I was never a fan of the catch he brought home (I was 7-8), but I know that he really enjoyed his experience, one of my workaholic Dad's few hobbies. Glad that you and your son are enjoying it, too.

[multigraincracker]

12. Love to ice fish and the best part is

that winter fish taste 10 X better than the ones caught in the summer.

[abqtommy]

13. You've triggered a memory I have of being just a kid and being with my Dad while visiting

a relative in Eastern Montana one winter. The Relative suggested we all go ice fishing so we
headed out to the nearby river. Mr. Relative had a large iron bar he proceeded to use to make
a hole in the ice but then the bar slipped and disappeared into the cold water. Oh well, we all
went back inside where it was warm! I'm glad your experience was better!

[MontanaMama]

17. I got the kiddo a battery powered ice auger

that punches a hole into the ice that’s 10” in diameter. The batter lasts long enough to drill hundreds of holes...not that we would need to do that!

[whistler162]

14. When I go fishing I usually use

worms or lures. Fishing with your kids is a little to Tom and Jerry to me.

[MontanaMama]

18. Lol!