Ice Fishing, My New Late Winter Addiction

The cold wind was picking up as it rattled the portable ice house. Gray gloom and chilly temps surrounded my shack nestled over 8 feet of water. At least the rain had stopped. But now that wind made me wish it was raining and warmer again.

I thought at any moment that next big gust would be just strong enough to send me and my gear para-sledding across the pond. Suddenly, the rod tip tapped, I lifted up and the fight was on!
 

Too bad the fingerling bass wasn't much of a fight! But there were bigger fish there and I was happy to land the first one of the day. It had been five years since I last tossed a jig into the icy waters of an 8" hole in the ice. Back in college, I'd fish with some friends at ISU and I always enjoyed the time on the hardwater. It made winter much more enjoyable and I always vowed to get back into it someday. Either I didn't have the gear, or I didn't have the time, but this year I made it happen. And I'm sure glad I did!

As if a switch were flipped, the fish began biting with reckless abandon. One after another, I reeled them in and it was 6pm before I ran out of bait. I ended the day with a few keeper bluegill.

Caught in the excitement, I lost all track of time. I knew I'd be in trouble since I had just called my girlfriend reporting no fish after 5 hours of trying. I told her I'd be home by 6.

She forgave me when I made her dinner -fresh fish!

Here's a breakdown of the weather factors and ice conditions on a few ponds in central Iowa:

Weather Thursday, Feb. 7th:
Overcast, Rainy, Windy
Temps Falling Through 30s
Low Barometer, Rising Tendency
Ice Conditions:
6" to 8" of ice, with top 1" rotten ice melted from rain
5" to 7" clear ice, pond edges thinning
Fish Caught:
6 Largemouth Bass, 24 Bluegill

Weather Friday, Feb. 8th:
Overcast, Light Wind, Snow Showers
Temps in 20s
High Barometer, Steady Tendency
Ice Conditons:
6" to 8" of ice, top 1" white ice refrozen from previous day's rain, very slick
5" to 7" of clear ice, pond edges thinning, especially near mouth of creek
Fish Caught:
10 Largemouth Bass, 2 White Crappie, 28 Bluegill