Ice Fishing at Eagle Lake

Tuesday afternoon we headed out to Eagle Lake to try our luck a second time. I received a tip from another fisherman that 100 yards off the North Eastern point was a good location. It didn't take Michael, Daniel, and I long to set things up and start fishing for Northern Pike. Michael and Daniel were in the hut most of the time while I fished two outer holes. Above Michael is auguring one of my holes where I was jigging various lures etc.

Michael and Daniel taking it easy in the warm ice hut. The four person ice hut fits two people comfortably with extra room for the heater and gear. I did however discover something annoying about using a ice hut especially with a heater and that is the condensation which accumulates on the walls and ceiling. Basically it is like sleeping in a tent during a rain storm. You have to dry it out so it doesn't rot or freeze before storing it away for long periods of time. It seems to me that it will be in my living room drying while we sleep fairly often.

Daniel auguring another 8" hole in the ice. The ice was approximately 13" thick. Two days before Christmas it was only 5".

Before the small ice fishing rods were available I would use an "X" for fishing. I like them allot more than stick-ups mainly because they are durable and can take abuse. The key to them is the Bobber. If it bobbs or becomes submersed you have a fish. The disadvantage is that you have no drag and are at the mercy of the fish.

The ice fishing rods are nice in that they have drag, are quick and easy to set up and take down. Disadvantage is that you can't leave them unattended or you might find your rod at the bottom of the lake. I have also found that you get what you pay for. If you buy the $9 and 12 dollar rods from WALMART like I initially did you will end up throwing them in the garbage. Unfortunately your better off to spend $18 dollars and up. I personally like the "Ugly Stick" style at $24 dollars each. I have 8 ice fishing sets 4- X's or crosses and 4- Ugly Stick rods. Two are set up for pike specifically and the rest trout. By the way we didn't catch anything.

Lets be honest.........I couldn't wait!

As many of you know I was not able to go hunting this year as I came down with H1N1 during the week I took off to shoot the biggest white tail ever! Santa however felt that I needed to make up for the extreme loss and so I will be doing alot of ice fishing, witch I totally love. I have never been much of an ice hut type of guy, but two days before Christmas on Eagle Lake changed my mind pretty quickly.

This is a 4-person ice hut and yes it is in my living room. Couldn't wait!!! Also who wants to look like a dork trying to set up his ice hut on the lake for the first time. I have to say I like this style alot. It literally springs into postition with 5 pulls and folds up just as quick. The best part about it is that it actually fits in the bag with room to spare. I belive Santa was shopping at Wholesale Sports for me this year.

Here is the carrying case and size when stored away.

Another cool feature are the backpack straps on the carrying case for easy mobility.