What's too young for ice fishing?

[jjmoser]

Thanks for the pics Mainehazmt.  I am a master at being prepaired, before I got to bed at night I ready all the formula bottles for the night just dump the powder and shake.  I know I can keep him warm and would only stay out as long as I could, plus shantys are super modable so i could rig up a chaging station and such. 
Thanks all for your input.

[sbfPA_Mike]

Now I understand that this is a Springtime picture, but you should get the point. Tina was 9 months old when I took this picture. I got to sleep in on Saturdays, Mom did on Sundays. Instead of sitting around the house trying to keep her quiet, I thought that a morning of fishing was better for her and me. You can see the umbrella, it was raining on this morning. I brought the food and bottles and all the required stuff. If she went in here diaper or there was a problem, it was no big deal to pack up and head home. I don't see any problem at all with taking your infant on the ice. I am sure she will be dressed appropriately, have warm shelter, and you will be right there to see their needs. I say go for it! Make sure you take pictures.



Mike

P.S. She sure seems like she is having a good time, don't ya think?? 

[primepin65]

that sure is a tiny 9 year old mike 

[Mainehazmt]

Also by taking him I could also invest in better heaters ,shacks,parts and pieces, dvd player ect....(gotta have em for the kid)   LOL

[gonephishin19]

I dont think ill take my son until hes old enough to tell me hes cold...(i dont have a shanty to keep him warm)  Id like to take his ASAP but he wont even be born till JAN 14th...lol

[Mainehazmt]

there is always the 17th of jan   it is a sat!

[Haywood]

I had my son out in the permanent when he was 6 months, probably would have had him out younger but there was no ice yet.  He landed his first open water fish at 14 months and his first one through the ice came at 19 months.  My daughter now, she's an entire different story.  I was thinking of going to a 4" hole, just so she could fit less of my stuff down it.  

[gonephishin19]

there is always the 17th of jan   it is a sat!

Tell his mom that... I did get a backpack Carrier to put him in...and ive practiced fishing with it on so Ill be ready

[Mainehazmt]

The big question for you that will determine if you can take the kid out is it your wife's 1st child?   if so she prob would squash the idea  lol    Mine is not my first or her first  our others are all grown up and outta the house   We adopted our Grandson  so our thoughts are definitely different than a first time parent   been there done that   and in our 50's we reportedly have a bit of common sense and know they don't break easy!  and at my age if I'm cold  the young one prob is too ( also note We don't take chances with him)

[Bellybuster]

I'm all for getting them out as early as possible but....changing diapers in anything other than a well heated hard side shack is a risk. That 60-65 degrees may feel warm to you but take all your clothes off for the time it takes to change a diaper and that's another story. As far as kids fallin in the hole...well that's a supervision thing now isn't it?

[Mainehazmt]

lol  pretty simple! unzip the bottom of the snow suit unsnap the coverall bottoms swap out the diaper   PS  I like my shacks warm! tee shirt and jeans!  cant function when too bundled up!

[FishingNewEngland]

My son is 6 and coming out for the first time this season. The Mrs. isn't to thrilled with the idea but Brandon is pumped! We bought the ice fishing kids book off ebay and he's read it cover to cover at least a hundred times in the 3 weeks we've had it.

[gonephishin19]

My son is 6 and coming out for the first time this season. The Mrs. isn't to thrilled with the idea but Brandon is pumped! We bought the ice fishing kids book off ebay and he's read it cover to cover at least a hundred times in the 3 weeks we've had it.

Thats good at least he will know what to expect....No matter what you do if your kids not enjoying themselves theyre not going to want to do it again.

[bigbucky1]

My wife being form the south,  sorry mike, would not let me take the kids, We have 3,  out on the ice until they were able to swim.  So that was not until about 8 on avg for the kids.  ya know they had to swim good enough for her.  Even though the first years I would only take them to a place where the water was about 3 ft deep at the deepest just in case something did happen.  Now that all of them have been out maybe I can convince her to let me get a better hut and let the kids use the one have. lol

[Haywood]

My wife would get mad at me for going with out my son when he was little.  It could be -15.  It is a lot easier when you have drivable ice though.  They can sit in a warm car until you are set up and then they can sit in the car while you tear down.  Mine is old enough now where he likes the snowmobile ride out and back, but I haven't tested him in very cold of weather yet.

[sbfPA_Mike]

Hey Bucky,

No worries buddy, I was born in WI and raised in MN. It is really up to the parents. If the guy who is taking the child out is using their brain; The ice is more than plenty thick, has a shelter WITH heat, and can get off the ice is a reasonably quick manner, there really shouldn't be any problem with taking any child fishing. It's all up to personal opinion and abilities. Tight lines.

MIke

[Mainehazmt]

Hey Bucky,

No worries buddy, I was born in WI and raised in MN. It is really up to the parents. If the guy who is taking the child out is using their brain; The ice is more than plenty thick, has a shelter WITH heat, and can get off the ice is a reasonably quick manner, there really shouldn't be any problem with taking any child fishing. It's all up to personal opinion and abilities. Tight lines.

MIke

agreed!    another way to look at it  if you can dress them up warm enought to go snowmobiling (mine loves it) ya can get them warm enough to fish!  Ithe point was also made here   about wifes from away   thats another thing   my wife was born and raised up here in the cold   and also knows ya cant keep a kid in 8 months of the year!   gotta get out and blow the stink off! 

[jjmoser]

Been talkin wiht the wife about this too and I am trying to ponder the fact why it's not okay to take the child out on a sheet of good safe ice on a not to cold or windy day in a warm shelter but its perfectly okay to stroll em to a high school football game in late to early november???  The way I see it there just both a walk in the park mind you a couple of stops to pull in a few panfish for dinner.  PLan plan plan ahead and be ready to go at all costs......thats what I will do and thats what was done at the football games too.

[jayswimmer09]

i would say it depends on what toys you have, if you have a place for them to stay warm all day long then it really doesnt matter, but if they are going to be the slightest bit cold then i would say about 8