Now that you have your five gallon pail to carry your ice fishing gear, bait, caught fish, etc. you need to get the rest of your fishing equipment in order.

You are going to need an auger, either manual or powered. They come in various diameters, usually from six inches to ten inches, and are, in the case of the manual models, relatively inexpensive. They are a must for any ice fishing adventure. You can hope to get out to your favourite frozen lake and find some predrilled holes from another fisherman that has left, but don’t chance it, it will leave your fishing day a bust!

Along with the auger, you could bring along a “spud” which is a squared piece of one half inch plate steel about six to eight inches by three to four inches and welded to a handle. The handle is round steel, about one inch in diameter and four to five feet in length. This piece of fishing equipment is designed to punch through thin ice on predrilled holes, and more importantly, can be used to ensure safe passage on unknown ice thicknesses by checking the ice first.

Now, you will need to carry all this fishing gear easily. A sled/sleigh/toboggan is ideal. There are specifically designed sleds made for ice fishing, either to tow yourself or by snowmobile. If you do not have one of these, any toboggan or sled will do. Borrow one of your kids, your brother’s or sister’s, it will make carrying all your fishing gear to and from your favourite ice fishing hole easier.