Ice fishing is simple once the season is rolling—until you show up unprepared and realize your auger won’t start, your holes freeze instantly, and your “warm” boots aren’t warm at all. A little pre-season prep is the difference between a productive day and a miserable one. Here’s how to get your gear, strategy, and safety dialed before the first safe ice.

1) Start With the Only Thing That Matters: Ice Safety

Early ice is often the most dangerous ice. It can be strong in one area and sketchy 20 feet away—especially near current, springs, inlets/outlets, bridges, docks, or any area with snow cover that insulates and slows freezing.

Do this before you fish:

• Check local ice reports (bait shops, DNR pages, fishing groups) and confirm conditions for your lake.
• Carry safety gear every time: ice picks on your chest, throw rope, spud bar, whistle, and a flotation suit or PFD.
• Test as you go on early ice with a spud bar. Don’t rely on “it was fine yesterday.”
• Fish with a buddy early season. Solo early ice is a bad gamble.

If you don’t have confidence in the ice, don’t “send it.” There will be plenty of good days later.

2) Check Your Auger Now (Not at the Lake)

Augers fail for predictable reasons: dull blades, old gas, dead batteries, and ignored maintenance. Fix it in the garage where you have tools—not on windy ice.

Gas auger checklist:

• Drain old fuel or run fresh, properly mixed fuel.
• Clean/replace spark plug if it’s been a season.
• Inspect fuel lines for cracking.
• Test start it multiple times (cold starts matter).
• Electric auger checklist:
• Charge batteries fully and test run.
• Inspect battery terminals and cables.
• Store batteries indoors (cold kills performance).
• Consider a second battery if you fish all day or drill a lot.
• Hand auger checklist:
• Sharpen/replace blades.
• Make sure it’s not bent and the handle is solid.

Pro tip: Auger blades are your season. If they’re dull, everything is harder—drilling takes longer, you sweat more, and then you freeze.

3) Refresh Your Rods, Reels, and Line for Cold Weather

Line and drag performance matter more in freezing temps. Old line gets memory, coils, and turns into a headache.

What to do:

• Respool your key setups (especially panfish and walleye rods).
• Check guides for nicks (a single crack will shred line).
• Make sure your reel drag is smooth (no jerks = fewer break-offs).

Line choices (simple version):

• Panfish: 2–4 lb mono or light braid + fluoro leader.
• Walleye: 4–8 lb mono/fluoro or braid + leader.

Pike: heavier braid with a proper leader (don’t donate lures).

4) Organize Tackle Like You Actually Want to Find It

Ice fishing is all about efficiency—moving, drilling, checking electronics, rotating rods, and making quick decisions. If your tackle is a mess, you burn time.

Quick system that works:

• One box for jigging (jigs, spoons, plastics).
• One box for deadsticks (hooks, sinkers, swivels).
• One small box for terminal + tools (split ring pliers, clips, snaps, spare leaders).
• Keep your “confidence baits” separate so you can grab them fast.

Also: tie a handful of leaders at home. Cold fingers + tiny knots = wasted fishing time.