So why do you ice fish?

[Mrpike1973]

For me it is the way to get beat by a little sunfish with a brain the size of a pea. The sunfish usually wins
I enjoy the hunt and thrill of it.
Why do you ice fish?
For sport, food, relaxation, family?

Just curious what keeps us all sitting out on the ice?

[Seamonkey84]

I just love fishing, and he fact we don’t need to deal with a boat and you get to video game fish all the time. Until I got panoptix a couple months ago, fishing from a boat I could never get my lure/jig to stay in the sonar cone for any length of time, as I only have one anchor or was using a drift sock. There are times I hit the ice and I have almost as much fun just punching holes with a drill and clam plate setup. When I see someone struggling with starting their auger, I usually go and show it off lol.

[Ice_Fly_Guy]

I go because it puts the odds in favor of fish, using wimpy little rods through a 8" hole, and for the aforementioned video game aspect.

As far as putting the odds in the favor of the fish - it's kind of like using a medium light rod and 8 lb line for topwater bass in summer, which I'm more inclined to do than use a MH baitcaster outfit and just winch them in effortlessly.

Also, it is obviously more of a challenge because of the elements, and that makes it fun too.

And the fact that if you shack up all day with all the supplies, it's kind of like camping.

[SLAYERFISH]

I fish all the time. I can't go 3-4 days without it.  I ice fish because the water is frozen.

[quackpot]

I do it for the fun of fishing with people I know and haven't met on the ice.

[Double_J]

I do it because you have to do something in the winter. It gets me out of the house and outside. I also like eating pan fish.

[Hoserman]

Exactly what the rest have stated. It's a challenge, it  gets me out instead of becoming a couch potato, and if I'm successful, a great meal. Nothing better than fish caught through the ice. 

[Mascoma]

Because, I have 2 boys who absolutely love going out as much as I do. The best memories we make are on the ice.  Wife got out with us last year about a half dozen times (thanks little buddy heater) Saved all my vacation time up this year for this winter. yahoo! Tight Lines all.

[Lamar84]

The ice is a great equalizer. I don’t have a boat and during ice season I can fish any spot on the lake. Also, the ice shelter is like a club house and I love watching the sun come up on a frozen lake.

[RyanW]

I fish all the time. I can't go 3-4 days without it.  I ice fish because the water is frozen.

I concur. I would fish in any climate because fishing is what I do.

[Sandcountrylivin]

The mystique of standing on the water and without being able to fan casts or get much of any horizontal action to still get bit and bring this fish up through the ice to a barren ice and snow desert and finally to watch him swim away. It never gets old!

[Sandcountrylivin]

The ice is a great equalizer. I don’t have a boat and during ice season I can fish any spot on the lake. Also, the ice shelter is like a club house and I love watching the sun come up on a frozen lake.

I've also always said this when explaining to friends why it's so great. while panoptix may be revolutionizing the sport.? I feel like I have just as good a chance as the guy who has a 50k boat and all the goodies when it comes to hard water.

[SirCranksalot]

Fresh air, nice scenery, good company, and often a meal of the freshest fish to bring home. What's not to like??

[ran7ger]

so many, many things but for me it comes down to the dichotomy of sitting on a frozen sheet of ice in pure tranquil bliss and relaxation to all of a sudden trying to get an angry 20 lb beast up a small hole with a short pole.

 nothing goes from zero to 60 quicker than ice fishing.

[JonPerry]

For sport, food, relaxation, family. I fish because I can.

[ICE WANDERER]

             I've always liked the idea of sitting out on the lake a catching fish through a hole. My brother who loves in Florida asked me this same
             question, my answer to him was "because I don't have a boat"

             IW

[Iceassin]

So that when people ask me "What possesses you to spend countless hours sitting on a bucket staring down a hole in sub-zero weather"?, I can give them a 30 minute oral dissertation as to why...they usually don't ask again. 

[lefty2053]

Just for the fun of it. Hardly ever keep any fish. The wife doesn't eat them so I only bring home a couple every so often.
Ice fishing is my favorite way of fishing. More excitement.

[marknpanfish]

 Ice fishing is my favorite , because the boat control is great, watching sonar is blast, hardly ever meet a jerk while ice fishing, spending with family and friends, whats not to like?   P.S. I never ice fish unless I'm alone or with somebody.

[matzilla]

Adventure, peace and solitude. I've had a ton of medical problems this year that has minimized my open water fishing so I'm going all in on ice even more so than normal.

[SKIFFLAKEJIMMY]

Somebody has to, so I volunteered!

[Iceshanty]

[DLB]

I ice fish because in a moment of complete stupidity I sold my boat that was all set up for fishing Saginaw Bay and buying another one aint gonna happen (waaay to expensive to replace what I had) and now winter is the only time I can get out onto the water.

[SHaRPS]

Ice fishing ice my #1 passion. I love all sorts of fishing, hunting and shooting but ice fishing is where its at for me. I also enjoy the cold and the time spent with great friends and family while ice fishing. Just leave me alone if I am on a school of fish. 

[emmettid]

I do it  for enjoyment of meeting different people and the plain ole fun.

[jethro]

I like being on the water. Summer, winter... doesn't matter, I always want to be on the lake. And any excuse to keep me off the couch is a good one.

[Light liner]

To catch fish.

[ice dawg]

Ice fishing is relaxing for me. I also enjoy watching and interacting with others on the ice. Lots of innovative ideas out there. Nothing better than a mid winter fish fry for a nice bonus.

 

[eriksat1]

What else would I do for 5 months out of each year? Sit on the couch and watch tv. It helps keep from getting cabin fever, and supply's a couple of delicious meals per week.

[ejdelvo28]

Because it's the only way to fish when the water is frozen!