It’s getting to be that time of year when the cold weather is inevitable, and the ice is starting to thicken. I’m planning an upcoming trip to Devils Lake, ND ice fishing in the next week, so I thought it would be a good idea to share on how I plan for an ice fishing trip such as this, including our ice fishing checklist we use. It’s really not rocket science, but it makes for good planning and to ensure you don’t end up without…
Use a Shareable Document Online
Using a shareable document, such as Google Docs, is a great way to make a list. I can share the document with my buddies, and we can make a list and check off what we’ve taken care of (and make notes about it). It avoids a lot of phone calls and back and forth texting. It can simply be a document, not even a spreadsheet. Simple.
Plan Ahead
One thing I’m anal about is being prepared for fishing trips. I hate getting there and realizing you left something vital at home (we’ve all been there). So take care of packing and organizing as early as possible. You’ll be glad you did when it comes.
Ice Fishing Checklist
Our plan (there’s 2 of us) is to travel light and stay mobile. We will be ice fishing Devils Lake, ND for 3 days straight, and I plan to spend as much time on the ice as I can. We’re using a Jason Mitchell Clam Thermal X ice house for a base and will have cots to sleep on the ice at times. So we’re talking “roughing it”…well not really (I live for this stuff).
So with that being said, here is our ice fishing checklist:
- Ice House (obviously)
- Yamaha Grizzly 700 (full tank of gas, with a backup 5 gallons).
- Trailer to haul all of our gear
- Vexilar FL-28 and Humminbird Ice Helix 7 (with Lakemaster Chip)
- 2 Cots
- 2 Sleeping Bags
- 2 Pillows
- All ice fishing clothing
- Heater (and a backup isn’t a bad idea, even if it’s a small one).
- 2 20-lb tanks of Propane
- 8 1-lb Propane Tanks (just in case)
- Shovel
- Ice fishing rod case (full of all rods and tackle)
- 3 12volt Batteries (1 lithium to last – 2 for lights and backup) – there are lights that hookup on the top of the house.
- 2 backups of my recommended ice house lights
- 2 5-gallon buckets (with ice scoop, minnow net, etc.)
- Minnows in my Recommended Bait Minnow Bucket
- 4 backup batteries to charge phone/equipment
- Camera Equipment for Filming and Going Live Ice Fishing
- Propane range and cooking utensils
And if you’re traveling and planning to live in your ice house for days, it’s not a bad idea to book a hotel for one night in the middle (as we plan to). A shower, hot tub, solid bed, etc. isn’t a bad thing when you’re hunched over fishing all darn day.
So without drowning on, that’s really the essentials to making a successful trip. Feel free to use this ice fishing checklist to suit your needs for your next ice fishing trip!
