The choices for today’s modern angler give him/her the flexibility to outfit themselves with equipment that match their style of ice fishing. (Submitted photo)

Early ice fishing preparations

The cold weather has finally hit and the balmy, easy-going Fall has been replaced with a dose of reality ! We are now looking forward to the ice fishing season and from the look of the extended forecast, ice is on the way. As we make the change from the Fall hunting seasons, early December is the time to get your ice fishing gear in order and make preparations for hitting the ice within a couple of weeks.

Here are some thoughts for the early ice angler.

• Auger Options

Ice augers have come a long way in the past two years.  In my opinion, the gas auger is on the way out. New technology has come along with the advent of the lithium battery which is now durable and reliable in cold weather. This battery creation has changed the auger market considerably. Another option is the K-Drill by Vexilar which features a brushless hand drill that powers a lightweight auger blade which is quiet, efficient and smooth. There are more options in electric ice augers coming down the road as well and the demise of the old fashioned gas powered auger is inevitable.

• Ice houses on wheels

Innovations in wheeled ice houses have come fast and furious as the market is now flooded with options. There are new manufacturers showing up every year and the competition is widespread. The creature comforts now in these modern wheel houses include heat, air conditioning, lift axles and plush bedrooms. My style of ice fishing is more the portable flip up style and where I go, the wheel houses just aren’t practical. For those that wish is park their house on a spot for the winter season, you can get a lot of use out of a modern wheel house. Keep in mind we have had a few seasons since 2010 where the ice wasn’t good enough to get those big houses out. You stand the risk of having it in your driveway instead of on the ice when you are dealing with a heavy ice house.

• Flip Style Portables

Flip style houses are in my opinion, the best way to go day in and day out. I hop from one lake to another throughout the whole season and I need the portability of the lighter, pull behind style house. I use a single person house for just myself and have a couple other larger portables for 2 to three anglers. The beauty of these lightweight portables is that they can be pulled by hand or easily towed with a snowmobile or ATV.

No matter what the ice conditions happen to be, you can always improvise and adapt with a portable shack.

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