Ice Fishing With Kids 

By Mike Frisch


We outdoor writers often write about tips for fishing with kids during the open-water fishing season. While it is true that kids and fishing do make for a great summer activity, the winter season offers another opportunity for kids to enjoy fishing. With that in mind, here are some tips for ice fishing with kids.

Be safe

The first consideration in any ice-fishing trip should be ice safety and that is never truer than when kids are involved. For that reason, I like to fish areas that I have been to in advance to check ice conditions. In addition, this is one time when I don’t mind fishing in crowds because that means I’m fishing an area that has seen numerous traffic and more than likely has “good” ice.

Be Organized

When trying to get kids hooked on fishing it’s a good idea to have all the necessary equipment organized and ready in advance so that kids don’t have to wait for the fishing to start. Making sure rods and reels are ready with the proper lures is one thing that can speed the process up and I like to make sure that my heater and light have gas and are ready for use. 

A reliable auger that starts consistently and quickly drills holes is also important. Nothing can kill the anticipation of a fishing trip quicker than an auger that struggles to start or won’t cut the ice. For that reason, I rely on my Lazer Mag Xpress auger because it’s a reliable starter and it punches holes in the ice in a hurry. 

Fish Biters

Little kids, like most of us bigger kids, like lots of action when they’re fishing. For that reason, I like to target sunfish through the ice when accompanied by kids. Sunfish are often willing biters and, unlike some other species like walleyes, a good bite can often be found during daylight hours.

A stop at a local bait shop can usually get anglers started on their way to finding winter sunfish. Bait shop employees often know the good winter panfish lakes and they can probably even steer you in the right direction in finding fish in a particular lake.

Be Comfortable

Kids like being warm and comfortable when ice fishing. For that reason, I like to pick days when the temperature is fairly mild and the wind isn’t blowing. In addition, a fishing shelter greatly increases the comfort level. I prefer fishing from a portable shelter because I like to be able to move from spot to spot if necessary. When kids are with, I use my Speed Shak XL as this shelter protects us from the elements and it’s also very roomy giving us the space we need to fish comfortably.

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Kids and fishing go hand-in-hand regardless the season. Ice fishing, in fact, is one winter sport that seems to becoming more and more popular with kids. So if you haven’t already, take your kids (or someone else’s for that matter) and head out on the ice for some fun this winter!