Few sports are as closely intertwined with the heart and soul of Minnesota than ice fishing. Not only is it one of the state’s most storied and beloved pastimes, but it also plays an important role in the local economy, with cold-water angling and ice fishing contributing tens of millions of dollars in direct income to Minnesota families.
Whether you ice fish for pleasure or profit, ice fishing without proper safety equipment can be hazardous. Before you head out to the lake this season, ensure your icehouse is outfitted with everything you need to stay safe on the ice.
Common Icehouse Safety Gear
There’s plenty of gear on the market to make your ice fishing experience smooth and enjoyable. But as you browse the latest augers and poles, don’t forget to stock up on tried-and-true safety essentials.
Backup Heat Source
While a standard icehouse furnace is generally reliable, going without a backup source of heat can prove to be a dangerous gamble. If your built-in furnace does break down, a backup can save your life. There are several types of portable heaters available, with the most popular models being sunflower, buddy, and cabinet heaters. Once you have your spare heater packed, stock up on waterproof matches and extra propane so you’re prepared for anything. When not in use, always unplug and safely store your space heater to reduce the risk of fire.
Winter Clothes
With a lot of modern icehouses, especially wheelhouse-type fish houses, it’s possible to drive out to the lake, drop down your holes, and start fishing—all in a T-shirt and tennis shoes. However, even if you don’t plan on braving the outdoors during your fishing trip, it’s always smart to have spare winter clothes available in case of an emergency. Pack spare jackets, snow bibs, boots, hats, and gloves before you start your angling adventure.
Emergency Food and Water
It may seem obvious—but packing extra food for your trip is critical. Non-perishable foods like dried fruits and canned goods are the most useful to have on hand if your heater breaks down, as they are unlikely to spoil in extreme temperatures.
Remember not to overpack—too much food can be a hindrance during packing and transport. A good rule of thumb is to pack about one and a half pounds of extra food per day you need to plan for. Fo example, if you’re packing 12 pounds of emergency food, you can expect to have enough for about eight days.
Emergency Tools
Keeping tools like a tire jack and wrench on hand can save you if your get a flat tire or break down on the ice. Jumper cables and flares can also come in handy if your engine or battery dies on the ice.
Plan Ahead
Have your tackle sorted and organized before you go out on the water. Inspect your equipment and check the age of your fishing line. It’s better to invest in new fishing line than to have an old line snap when you’re reeling in your once-in-a-lifetime wall-mounter. Make sure your auger blades are sharp, and you have charged batteries or plenty of fuel. Before you head out, inspect your wheels, wheel bearings, and tires to ensure they aren’t over-worn and can be easily changed if need be. Grease or repack your wheel bearing yearly.
Conduct a Trial Run
If you’re planning to take your icehouse out for the first time, consider doing some driveway camping before you hit the ice. Set up your camper like you would if you were camping or ice fishing and put your equipment through the paces as you would on your fishing trip. Turn on the TV or the radio, hang out, cook a pizza, or plug in the crockpot. Take a notepad with you and jot down anything you notice isn’t working as intended. After some time, you’ll probably have several notes on improvements you can make to keep your camper safe and comfortable.
Stay Prepared with Nordic Lodge
RVs and icehouses from Nordic Lodge come fully equipped with all the latest and greatest amenities, including LED under-cabinet lights, a rear fireplace, a built-in space for TV, and ample storage space for spare food, clothes, and gear. With a Nordic Lodge fish house in tow, you can experience the joys of cold-weather fishing in comfort and safety.
Visit our website for more information on our RVs and fish houses, or visit Westre’s Marine, our partner in the watercraft industry, to view our current inventory.
