?? start your ice fishing adventure with tips from an outdoor enthusiast





explore minnesota | minnesota outdoors | ice fishing | andy holding one of his catches [ [link removed] ]




interview with andy choe

Andy started fishing with grandparents, intrigued by the visible joy it brought them. While core childhood memories involved fishing, ice fishing wasn’t anything Andy tried until an uncle-in-law introduced the Vexilar*. Andy remembers catching nothing that day, but the Vexilar’s resemblance to a video game was enough to keep everyone engaged.

 

After learning the initial ropes from a guide and years of being out on the ice, Andy now takes the whole family with. Before experiencing the unknown elements of ice fishing, the kids enjoyed more controlled outdoor environments like permanent fish houses. Now they bond by ice camping, loading their car to the max and waiting for that bite 24 hours a day. Some of the most chaotic (and exciting) night fishing is what keeps the family going back. For Andy, it’s not necessarily about the fish you catch, but the people that you’re with.  






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we have long winters and if you can't find something to do, you’ll get cabin fever. finding an outdoor hobby helps offset that.
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Andy ice fishing in the snow [ [link removed] ]




what makes minnesota such a standout destination for ice fishing?

Minnesota is a special place, it seems like you’ve got a lake within 5 minutes of anywhere. With any kind of hobby, you can spend thousands of dollars by going above and beyond. You can do that with ice fishing, but you can also just go buy a fishing pole, something that drills a hole and sit on a bucket. In Minnesota, you have the luxury of water being at your fingertips and you can just fish off a dock if you're bored one day. 






Andy holding a crappie [ [link removed] ]




what type of fish can people expect to catch while ice fishing and do you have a favorite kind to target?

The diversity of fish that can be caught here is incredible. You have your panfish – bluegills, crappies – and then your predator fish – bass, pike, walleye – that go for minnows.

 

Walleyes are usually a fun bite – you have to wait until right before sunup or sundown because that's when they like to come and bite your bait.

 

Bass and Pike are usually great if you find some weeds and are tipup fishing. Tipup fishing is when, essentially, you're not in front of the hole. You just put this thing on the ice and you wait for the flag to go up. Then you run over and get the fish. You spend more time waiting for the fish to come through, so it's more of a social gathering and fishing is a bonus.

 

My favorites are crappie and walleyes. Crappies because they're pretty aggressive at how they attack your presentation (bait). Zero hesitation and – wham – a bite! Walleyes because they taste amazing!  






Andy's catch while "ice camping" [ [link removed] ]




what’s your favorite lake for ice fishing in minnesota and why does it hold a special place for you?

There are two: Lake of the Woods and Lake Minnetonka. Near the cities, Lake Minnetonka is my favorite just because of the size of the lake and the diversity of fish. Lake of the Woods is great because it feels like a destination.

 

I first started going to LOTW with my good high school friend, Shane. He was still active with the National Guard at the time, so we would always work around his schedule. Ice fishing was something that allowed us to reconnect – we were seeing each other in person 2-3 times a year. We took the year off when he was deployed to Africa, but started right back up once he got back.

 

I now have two kids and I’ve introduced them to the world of ice fishing and ice glamping. Every winter we head north to Lake of the Woods to “ice camp” using a resort for three nights (and, yes, Shane still comes with)!  






Andy holding two fish outside [ [link removed] ]




what’s your favorite ice fishing memory in minnesota?

I was just at Otter Tail using a guide service with my family. Up until this moment, I think the kids have just gone for games and food. Now my oldest can read the Vexilar and he's moving his rod up and down. Sure as heck, he got his first two fish all by himself. Usually, I’m the hook setting device and the kids are reeling in, but this time it was all him. I ended up getting the moment on video, which is cool because I can almost see the second the light bulb went off for him. Now, he’s hooked and all he wants to do is fish.






Andy ice fishing outside [ [link removed] ]




how do you stay comfortable and warm while spending hours out on the ice? any must-have gear recommendations?

If I'm in a permanent (anything with walls - wheelhouses, hard houses, hybrid ice houses, ice shanties), it's just a sweatshirt and jeans or whatever's comfortable. If fishing outside, ice fishing suits from any major brand will do an amazing job. Most companies have float technology embedded into the jacket and bibs, so you can stay safe if you happen to go through the ice. A lot of them have multiple layers and they keep you relatively warm, as long as you layer up correctly.

 

Speaking of layers, don’t wear cotton! That's like the cardinal sin. Synthetic fabrics tend to keep you warmer than cotton.

 

Electronic hand warmers are a must-have these days that not many people think of. Back in the day, you’d have to shake your HotHands packet and hope it worked. With the electronic hand warmers, you get immediate heat that can last from 10-15 hours. They're relatively cheap because you can reuse them.

 

Warm boots that are specifically designed for ice fishing are good, too. Any “normal” winter boot won't cut it. You need to make sure the boot sole has enough thickness to keep your feet off the ground. Otherwise, the ice will steal all your warmth.






close up of the Vexilar on the ice [ [link removed] ]




for someone new to ice fishing, what’s the one essential tip or trick that can make their first experience successful?

Always bring a backup auger and an extra pair of clothes to leave in the truck. It sounds weird, but if you're cold, you're not going to have fun and if you can't cut a hole, you're not fishing.

 

We have long winters and, in my opinion, if you can't find something to do, you’ll get cabin fever. Finding an outdoor hobby helps me offset that. I think ice fishing makes the winter go so fast.  






a northern pike Andy's caught [ [link removed] ]




how can someone unsure about ice fishing overcome that initial hesitation?

I always recommend you find a mentor. Finding someone to show you the ropes and what you need to buy, removes a lot of that anxiety. The easiest thing I can think of is to hop in a Facebook group and ask anyone there.  Send a message to a local fishing guide, just be kind and courteous.

 

If you’re out by yourself, follow the houses and then figure out what’s working. You don’t have to be shy – ask others around you and let them know it’s your first time. Everyone out there is very helpful. It all starts with a simple, "Hello, how is the bite?"

 

Otherwise, using a guide will guarantee you have all that you’ll need. The guides provide you with everything; you’ve just got to get the fishing license.






closeup of a caught fish [ [link removed] ]




are there any local guides, resorts or events you’d recommend to first-timers wanting to try ice fishing in minnesota?

If you're trying to get into the sport for the first time, I'll be the first recommend you find an ice fishing guide who's trusted in the community. The amount of information and knowledge you gain will be long-lasting. Like any new sport, you have certain barriers to entry and a mentor will help guide you so you don't make painful mistakes along the way.

 

Resorts are great. They typically put you on a spot, so you don't have to find the fish. They check in with you to make sure things are going well and provide you with information on how other houses are doing. I've been to about 4 now and I've been trying to expand my horizon because there are probably 40 outfitters up there, maybe even more. Some places will even fillet the fish you catch and bring it back. It’s a nice service right at the end of the day if you like fishing but don’t want to take care of the rest of it. 






andy's favorites

*Lake of the Woods*

River Bend Resort [ [link removed] ]

Border View Lodge [ [link removed] ]

Beckel's Bunks [ [link removed] ]

LOTW Sleepers [ [link removed] ]

LOTW Outdoorsman [ [link removed] ]

 

*Metro*

Matt Johnson Outdoors [ [link removed] ]

Griffith Outdoors [ [link removed] ] [ [link removed] ]

Ice Fishing Warriors [ [link removed] ]

 

*Northern MN*

Lock Jaw Guide Service [ [link removed] ]

Minnesota Experience [ [link removed] ] 











*GET HOOKED ON ICE FISHING* [ [link removed] ]






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OTHER WINTER INSIGHTS & FUN

 

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?? *Check out these great winter hikes >> [ [link removed] ]*

 

?? *Just in case you don’t believe us, ice fishing is kinda a big deal >>* [ [link removed] ]






"*A Vexilar is one of the oldest and best fish finder sonar devices commonly used by many ice anglers. It uses sound waves sent out from a transducer to find fish under the ice. "

"_"

"all photos provided by Andy Choe"






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