My son's first ice fishing trip

[Hard_H2O]

I took the 4yo (5 in Feb.) boy out the other day for his first time.

It was a bit windy but not too cold. Good weather for a first time.

The lake was Battle Creek right on Interstate 94 in the Woodbury, Maplewood, Oakdale area.

Set up two tip-ups, one jigging stick for me and one with a float for him.

Went to a small lake so we could walk out easily. Drilled 4 holes and started to get set up. What is the first thing he does? He sticks his hand in the water. I put my glove on him and we walk back to the truck and get the extra mittens for him.

Back out and we set up. I started catching blue gills. He didn't watch his bobber and I wasn't quick enough so he didn't catch anything. He told me he was bored and he wanted to go. I asked if he was cold. Took my sweatshirt and added a layer for him. Of course I left his extra stuff in the truck. After that he was fine.

I was able to warn him about the holes each time he almost stepped in. I warned him not to bang my cheapie scoop on the ice. It ended up cracked. He bought me a new one on the way home.

I bought one jumbo sucker and a half dozen medium for the tip-ups. Setting up the tip up and the jumbo slips away and slides down the hole. He thought that was the funniest thing ever.

Leaving the ice a fellow came over and asked a few questions. He had never been out before. he offered me 5 dollars for my waxies as they didn't have any bait. They had a new tip up with line but no rig. I ended up giving them the waxies, 2 suckers, a depth finder, I tied one of my homemade quick strike rigs on their tip-up with a splitshot above it plus I showed them where my holes were drilled for their 5 bucks.

The boy found a jig that we chipped out of the ice and I also chipped out a flashlight that was partially frozen in.

He enjoyed putting the sunnies back in the hole. I wish we would have had a flag for him. He caught his firs pike last summer. He will go nuts the first time he sees one come through an 8" hole.

Not a bad day for a first time.

[Skipper]

He seems like a nice kid, you are a lucky man. I remember him from the ice fishing show in St. Paul.

[waltergill]

seems like a good trip

[iluvcrappie]

sounds to me like you have a new fishing partner as long as he can keep his hands out of the holes.........LOL

[matty23]

nothing like a good father and son trip even if you dont catch anything its good to have the old bonding trips..........
i remember my first day on the ice!!

[Hard_H2O]

He seems like a nice kid, you are a lucky man. I remember him from the ice fishing show in St. Paul.

Yep he was the one dragging me around. He is the minnow boy. The Strikemaster rep gave him a little minnow scoop.

[crappie rob]

Start 'em out early!!! Ataboy!!! C-ya, Crappie Rob.

[flagguy83]

Always nice to see them pull in there first fish. still waiting to see my boy ice fishing. still a little young

[Hard_H2O]

Always nice to see them pull in there first fish. still waiting to see my boy ice fishing. still a little young

My daughter was to young at 4. She still gets bored quick at 9. The boy really surprised me. We were out longer than I thought we would be.

The key I think is to keep it short, let them decide when they have had enough. Leave them wanting more. Keep it fun. Do not worry about catching fish.

It will be nice to have a little fishing partner.

[canoesota]

My son also started ice fishing with me at around five years old. Twenty years later he is still my main ice fishing partner, and loves to ice fish.

[EJF]

My boys 14 and 8 both love the ice more than softwater!! They been at it since 5 yrs. old they are about as good as the old man  I think I've got fishing buddies for life.