Ice fishing help

Submitted by Blatts t3_11cfisf in Maine

I'm a relatively new resident, and wanted to try my hand at ice fishing. No one I know is an angler and I have absolutely no idea where to start. Ideally I'd like to find something / somewhere / someone where I could try it out. I don't have a license and my brief research shows I missed the free weekend this year. I also don't have any gear, and wouldn't be likely to purchase unless this turns out to be my speed. I'm in the Bangor area, but willing to travel.

I know we're getting a little late in the season for it, but any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks in Advance!

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RAP1958 t1_ja2synj wrote

Watch for thin ice!! Mainers seem to have a problem with that every year.

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mastersonc t1_ja2thqg wrote

Look through events on Facebook. You can usually find some this time of year. A license can be purchased for a single day online if you don't want one that covers a full year for open water fishing as well. You can get a few cheap traps at Mardens. They are in the very back row right now, one shelving unit up from the shoes. Then you just need someone to drill you a hole.

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swamper1989 t1_ja2vhr0 wrote

If you just want some cheap equipment for next year. Walmart will be putting all there ice fishing gear on clearance soon I would guess.

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justnocrazymaker t1_ja2vpmq wrote

I too want to learn ice fishing, thanks for getting this thread rolling!

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Slmmnslmn t1_ja2wfdh wrote

Smelting in randolph is different than regular ice fishing but very fun.

Just be sure to go when they are running.

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AnneA_D t1_ja2z923 wrote

Replying to mastersonc (#2,021,668)

Some municipalities have local clubs (Phippsburg, I’m sure there are others) that have annual events that seem tailor made for curious first timers. The advice above is perfect for finding them. Good luck!

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kintokae t1_ja32dwv wrote

Replying to swamper1989 (#2,022,023)

I was just at the windham one and both the wooden and the orange plastic traps were on marked down to $5/each. Renys has the same traps at the same price if you want a local store too.

The biggest expense will be an auger. Even used, those go for about $50-$75.

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kintokae t1_ja331n1 wrote

Replying to Blatts (#2,023,473)

Yeah the wood ones looked decent. They didn’t look like they were finished/sealed. So I might wax them a bit with a finishing wax or something, just to waterproof them. This was the windham Walmart on Friday that I saw them.

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RealMainer t1_ja33xzp wrote

Replying to kintokae (#2,023,415)

Good luck finding one this time of year. I searched high and low and the only auger I could find was like $350. Everything else sold out. I like fishing but I’m not spending that much for maybe three trips out on the ice.

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ogostame t1_ja342gz wrote

There are a few Maine YouTubers who got together last year to put on sort if an expo on equipment, techniques and such. Was a neat event and i was able to see some of the drill augers and ice shacks in person before i made my purchases.

The channels i know if were:

Joe Holland Fishing Precision Angling Maine Trout Whisperer Fishing4Adventure

They may do something this year but who knows. Some havent been very active this year.

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zezar911 t1_ja36rbq wrote

you need:

traps - 10 to 30 bucks a pop line & hooks - cheap. get 20 lb test & a dozen or so snell or treble hooks auger - you can get a hand tool for 60 - 80 bucks bait - live Shriners are ideal, but worms work too. hook the Shriners right under the dorsal fine. buy a 10 gallon tank to keep them in your basement

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tjmme55 t1_ja3il5b wrote

You should look into hiring a guide for a day. They will have all tje gear you need, show you the basics, feed you lunch, and probably put you on some fish. Great way to get into the sport without having to invest in gear and not be totally in the dark. If you like it, you can go from there as far as investing in some equipment. Also there are several Maine specific ice fishing groups on Facebook, some people are more helpful than others, and I'm sure you could find someone or a group who will let you tag along for a day

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odmcgirt t1_ja3mwu3 wrote

Replying to tjmme55 (#2,026,518)

Hiring a guide is the best route - they will have all the basic gear you will need, plus they may have items that are nice to have like a shack, heater, and a way to cook food. They will also know places to fish, how to access and help you understand the different ways to set up for different species.

Ice fishing is great, but aside from being a bit expensive to start, there is a bit of information needed to just get started safely.

As mentioned the Facebook groups are good sources of information and so are local tackle shops.

Best of luck!

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zoolilba t1_ja5w2ls wrote

I just started this year. I've only been twice so far. I got an hand auger, traps from Facebook marketplace and a cheap tent from ebay for around $100. I do wish I had some sort of power auger. But the hand auger is ok if you can find someone else's old holes and re open them. I kinda just went for it. A license is like 30$ but it's year round. So you can go in the summer too. I've seen some power augers for $100-150 used. I just need to pull the trigger. I'd recommend a sled to transport your gear. Honestly anything long will do. Some stuff at Walmart is on sale now because it's late in the season. I got some neoprene gloves for $5 they had traps really cheap too. If you get worms for bait check them before you buy them. I got some last weekend and by the time I got out on the ice I found that they were dead. I didn't feel like going all the way back to the store by then for my $3. I'd like to try live minnows soon.

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enjoiart t1_ja8jffr wrote

Replying to zoolilba (#2,042,367)

if you have a newish hand auger with removable handle you can often times find a drill chuck adapter and use a hammer drill. They do have fancier drill augers but they are getting into to the $200 range just for the auger. I use the strike master lazer 8" with adapter. Most people I know are switching over to this style just because how compact and light it is & they just rip through the ice without any screwing around with small engines. With the bait not sure if you brought water, but most bait places will let you dip water from their tank. That will make it so the fish won't be shocked to new water temp. I usually go with shiners because they are a lot more hardy then smelts. Smelts die pretty easy, shiners on the other hand will probably live in that water for days.

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zoolilba t1_ja8ktkr wrote

Replying to enjoiart (#2,062,881)

Cool ya. I actually did just get an adapter. I just need to find a good drill. It looks like it'll be around $200 based on what tips I've found on the Internet. I figured too then I'll have a really good drill too. I really do want to try fish bait. I'll try shiners.

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