I plan on trying some ice fishing for the first time, any advice on where to start?

First and foremost, there’s no such thing as safe ice. That being said, 6” of ice is a minimum for me. If it’s a lake you’re familiar with is it a spring fed lake? If it is I’d stay away from them. A good flasher really helps. Look for drop offs because they’ll be in deeper water. Plan on drilling a bunch of holes and moving a bunch until you find them. Once you find them though they should be stacked up. 
 

Don’t be afraid to ask others on the ice how deep they’re finding them. 

 

Buy spikes to hang around your neck, and buy a spud bar to test the ice thickness on the way out. Safety first. Try and observe the places you want to fish and how they freeze. Just because ice is 8" in one spot doesn't mean the entire lake is. I will go out on thin ice like 3", but only on ponds I know well and know how they freeze. Streams, springs, wind, snow, rain, rocks, birds (yes, birds) can all have a big impact on how the ice locks up. 

 

As far as gear, you can get a hand drill for a reasonable price, and a jig rod, and that's really all you need to get started. Depending on the species, ice fishing bites can be LIGHT. I don't feel most of them, I see them. You need to be laser focused on your rod tip and just look for a slight dip and then set the hook. Yea sometimes they'll slam it but not always. Just like normal fishing except now they're much much slower. 

 

If you start getting tipups I recommend getting a sled to keep all your gear. 

1 hour ago, MassYak85 said:

Buy spikes to hang around your neck, and buy a spud bar to test the ice thickness on the way out. Safety first.

Invest in at least flotation bibs. 

These are currently on sale and are highly rated

https://www.scheels.com/p/71992116165?queryID=8d3bbf37d3ca336b8a6815e8ae1b7b77

 

Matching parka with flotation is also on sale.

https://www.scheels.com/p/71992116129?queryID=8d3bbf37d3ca336b8a6815e8ae1b7b77

1 minute ago, MN Fisher said:

Invest in at least flotation bibs. 

These are currently on sale and are highly rated

https://www.scheels.com/p/71992116165?queryID=8d3bbf37d3ca336b8a6815e8ae1b7b77

 

Matching parka with flotation is also on sale.

https://www.scheels.com/p/71992116129?queryID=8d3bbf37d3ca336b8a6815e8ae1b7b77

I've worn a lifejacket under my coat too on days I was alone on the ice. The spikes are critical though, don't want to just be floating there without being able to get out. A whistle in your jacket pocket or around your neck as well. 

On 12/13/2025 at 7:34 PM, Jonny15678 said:

I plan on trying some ice fishing for the first time, any advice on where to start?

 

I'd start by finding someone you know that has the gear and experience and go with them a few times.

 

See if you like it.

 

I wouldn't mind trying it after I retire but man you can spend a bunch of money before you even drill your first hole.

Don’t bother. The effort, time, gear, and energy required rarely pays off.

 

Stay home and wait until the water is soft again

48 minutes ago, gim said:

Don’t bother. The effort, time, gear, and energy required rarely pays off.

 

Stay home and wait until the water is soft again

Bass fishing ^^^^this. Other species find someone who is experienced ice fisherman. 🍹you need this😎
Tom

I have been ice fishing a few times.  Bring lots of beer and a BBQ.  I when ice fishing once sober and it was awful.  Remember safety is important too. 

4" of good ice is more than safe, but 6" of even remotely rotten ice, may not be safe. That being said, always, always, always check the ice as you go...

 

Wear a float suit, for the love of God, wear a float suit, you can get them super cheap at the end of the season. I went through the ice a couple years ago, I had been fishing a lake all day, no issues, drilling holes through 6"-7" of ice all day. Went to move 20' to my right and just went through about 6" of seemingly rotten ice, the float suit did all the work. I went through the ice, my chin touched the water, about that time the flotation suit began to shoot me upwards and I just plopped onto the ice on my belly like a Penguin coming up through a hole. I was in the water such a short period of time, I didn't even get wet under my float suit. I wear one made by Clam, but many companies make them.

 

Along with the float suit, a pair of picks around your neck to help pull you out of the water if you do go through and can't get out due to not being able to grab anything. If you have picks and a float suit, your chances of dying drop dramatically. You may get wet or cold, but you will be able to get yourself out in time, just stay calm... 

 

There are lakes that never get safe, they have so many springs that there will be soft spots here and there, so make sure you are on lakes that are proven to have safe ice year after year. You may have a lake with 6" of perfect ice and 2 miles away a lake that has 3" of unsafe ice, they don't all freeze the same, lot of variables. 

 

As far as catching fish, drilling lots of holes helps, mapping is huge, there are thousands of YouTube videos out there that will help you out. 

 

Speaking of ice fishing, about to go do just that! 

13 hours ago, Goby said:

You may have a lake with 6" of perfect ice and 2 miles away a lake that has 3" of unsafe ice, they don't all freeze the same, lot of variables. 

6poundbass and two buddies scoped out three lakes yesterday to find one with safe ice yesterday. One lake frozen but thin ice. Once lake frozen but open on the shore. One lake completely open. The fourth, 6” of ice. All within a 10 mile radius of each other. 6 hours of fishing and caught 35 fish with quite a few being bass.