Ice Fishing with Kids…Lessons Learned
Fishing with kids is an amazing experience. It’s my favorite thing to do with my kids. We fish all the time and through all of the seasons. I’m no expert in the field, but I have been in a lot of different environments while fishing with my kids. I am still learning and growing as a father, and I assume that will never change. Here are some tips for fishing with kids that are fresh on my mind.
Rainbow Trout on a chilly morning
Recently, the kids and I saddled up for a fishing road trip. We attended the Three Lakes Ice Fishing Tournament with the whole crew. Taylor who is 5, Sage who is 8 and Aspen who is 10. Quite the bunch of Trout Bums.
It was our first trip out in our new ice fishing tent. The forecast called for chilly temperatures so we had high hopes with our new gear. However, when we got all set up and drilled our holes, it became clear that we were in for a wet day. The water level was 2 inches above the ice, so we were sitting in a cold bathtub.
It was a completely unforgiving place for children. Within minutes we had wet gloves and cold toes. The heater allowed us a few hours of fishing, but it was a challenging day to say the least. After a few hours in this environment, I have a few thoughts for cold and wet fishing environments.
Get a thermal barrier. I am going to be adding some 2x6 wood scraps to the ice fishing quiver. We could place the wood on the ground to rest our feet above the water. Even with waterproof boots and thick socks, resting your feet in cold water will always lead to cold toes. Some people use rubber floor mats like gym flooring, but 2x6 scraps are cheap and we have some laying around.
Pack a sturdy table. We had some 5 gallon buckets for chairs, but used one as a table for our heater. A sturdy table would have been beneficial, allowing more space for snacks and drying wet gloves. If you’re fishing in standing water, dropping gloves and wet socks are almost inevitable.
Warm drinks and comfort snacks go a long way. I wish we had warm drinks….packing a jet boil and serving up hot cocoa will get you some extra fishing hours. Never underestimate the power of a good snack selection. Especially when conditions are tough. We had snacks covered, but could’ve used a warm drink.
Dont forget the hand and toe warmers. Like a rookie dad, I forgot that I had these life savers in the truck. Once we had warm toes, we were back in business.
Traveling or adventuring with kids is a wonderful experience. Their passion for nature is infectious. But you have to keep them warm and dry. Snacks help. Hot cocoa works well. Toe and hand warmers are magic.
Hopefully you can take this advice and use it on your next kiddo ice fishing outing.
Tight Lines, Happy Trails, and Warm Toes,
Trails to Trout Family
