Ice Fishing Do's & Don'ts?

fly, what are your target fish?  for gills and crappies, pin mins and micro jigs tipped with maggots, mousies or some other larvae cannot be beat.  for walleyes, we use jigging raps, vibes and sonars.  late ice and early ice are usuallly best, but the most dangerous.  ice always gets weaker around shorelines, heavy vegetation and springs first.  cloudy days seemed to work for me best when i did it. 
 
there are a bunch of guys who just murder panfish through the ice up at presque isle.  seek their advice.  as you are close to arthur, there are a bunch here who work that lake.  keep this thread going as the season gets closer.
 
by the way, use light lines. 

Hey Fly fish, Your best bet would be to log on to Ice Shanty.com in another month or so. There are a lot of ice fisherman from your general vicinity. See if you can hook up with someone. They'll be able to help you get started. If you're only fishing for trout such as at Glade Run Lake or Herford Manor you probably wouldn't need electronics. If you target panfish (perch, bluegill, crappies) then a good fishfinder will increase your catch rate ten fold. If you are fishing for trout, any ultra light/light spinning rod/reel would work. If you want walleye, pike, and bass then you may want to try tip-ups with bait. Personally I prefer to jig with a rod in my hand rather than fish tip-ups. If I can be of any help e-mail me.   Lou

Fly fish, I usually don't target trout very much except first ice because that happens to be the first lake to freeze. I fish a small lake up near Ebensburg. My best day was 30 trout landed and released in about three hours. Since you are new to this you can use five rods or devices. I actually worked up a sweat running between rods. I jig one and "dead stick" the other four.  Trout can provide you with some good action. Personally I'd rather fish for crappies or perch since I don't eat trout.    Lou

Trout are easy through the ice,especially at hereford. Any jig will work. I like white trout magnets tipped with a maggot (don't really have to tip them).  Usually the shallower water in the lower lake is best (12 feet or less), but sometimes we find big schools in the deep too. Just out from the single stump in the far end of the lake (if that makes any sense) is always good. Last year the fall stocked fish were tough during first ice.  Once they stock again in January, fish the cove along the road for a couple days, after 3 or 4 days go to the far end by the stump, they'll be there the rest of the ice season. Guaranteed, every year for the last 25, never changes. It kinda stunk last year, they waited until late Feb. to stock again, we had a few shaky days of ice afterwards then it was gone.You'll know when it's good, you'll see the gang of 8 or 10 regulars there. Plenty of room, just don't get too close to my fat azz unless there 6 inches of ice
 
 
you really only need 1 rod to jig, at times I used to use more with bait, but it gets old. 
 
You don't need electronics, but they sure are fun. Give me a ice pole, a vexilar and a school of anything and I can sit there all day and play. I used to just fish a foot of the bottom with everything, but allot of times they will suspend and I've found more often than not the trout on the bottom will come up 5 or 6 feet to hit. I'll jig for a while (20 seconds)about 2 feet of the bottom, then raise it up 4 or 5 more feet for a little, then lower it.  When the school is in, they'll get it on the initial drop down the hole long before it reaches bottom.

Steelies bite well through the ice.  Same jigs as open water.  Mouth of Trout Run/Walnut Creek Marina/Presque Isle.  Jig one rod set 4 tip-ups with Emeralds.
 
If you really want to get into the sport, buy a Vexilar and a good portable shelter - in that order.

ORIGINAL: arnold2008

Many cars, trucks, SUVs, snowmobiles, and fish houses fall through the ice each year. Current environmental regulations require the speedy recovery of the vehicle or structure in this situation. Divers must be hired, and when the trouble occurs far from shore, helicopters may be employed for hoisting. Other risks associated with ice fishing include carbon monoxide poisoning from fish house heaters and frostbite due to prolonged exposure to wind and low temperatures, although most new houses are fitted with air exchange systems that allow air flow preventing poisoning.
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In Pa you are not allowed motorized vehichels on the ice.