Ice Fishing History in North America

I spent many years as an avid fly fisherman, with no interest of much else when it came to fishing. That was well before I had kids. Now with three young and budding anglers in tow, I am having more fun than ever with every other style of fishing. Thats especially true when it comes to ice fishing. Before taking to the ice myself, I always assumed that it would be boring and not worth the time. Boy was I wrong. Really wrong. As it would turn out, I have ice fishing in my blood! Has that ever happened to you? Where you do something for the first time and feel like you were meant for it? Thats ice fishing for me.

Lake Trout are native to the northern parts of North America.

Ever since catching the first fish through the ice, its had me wondering… How long have we been ice fishing as people? What I found was interesting. We have been ice fishing for some time now. The fishing techniques vary over time, but one thing is true…we have been ice fishing for a very long time.

Historians hypothesize the practice of ice fishing goes back over 2000 years in North America. The first ice fishers were indigenous peoples of northern USA, Canada and Alaska. Back then, people had to be resourceful. They didn’t have electric augers, sonar fish finders and insulated fishing shacks. They used what was available. Things like rocks and stone tools, animal bones, wood and even fire to create holes.

To get started, they would use stone tools, bones, or long wood poles to chip into the ice. It is even hypothesized that they used fires to create larger holes. Once the hole was in place, they would stand over the hole and wait for the fish. They weren’t using rods and reels back then, they were actually spearing fishing. They would spear fish as they passed under the hole, with objects like wooden spears, or wood poles topped with sharpened animal bone. It wasn’t long before someone noticed you could put a structure over the top of the hole which would black out the light and make the passing fish much more visible. They even used wooden decoy fish to lure in bigger fish. Its already sounding like modern day ice fishing!

Fishing with friends is a big part of ice fishing!

In the beginning, Ice Fishing was likely tied to survival. People knew that there were fish under the ice and they found a way to get them out. Finding a natural resource like fish in the middle of winter would be a big success for indigenous people. Ice fishing allowed people to take advantage of a renewable food resource that could support people throughout many winters. The highly nutritious food source would be of great benefit while enduring long and cold winters.

We talk a lot about hunters and gatherers in our past. Fishing was a big part of that lifestyle. During the winter months, plant based foods become scarce. Big game hunting becomes much more diffucult during the winter months as well. Fishing and ice fishing would quickly become a reliable food source that many indigenous people would rely on.

It feels great to catch a fish while ice fishing. Almost like its something you were born to do. I get the same feeling while out elk hunting. Ice fishing opens up a portal to our past. We may not need it for survival any more, but one thing is still true…Ice fishing is a wonderful way to pass a winters day.

Tight Lines and Happy Trails

The Trails to Trout Team.