When winter arrives and temperatures outside are near freezing, most people in North Dakota enjoy staying indoors where it’s warm and cozy. For fishing enthusiasts, winter temperatures provide a way for them to keep catching fish all year long.
Ice fishing provides hours of recreation for friends and family members alike. At Rydell Auto Group, we have created this brief ice fishing guide so you can be as prepared as possible when braving the cold elements. We want you to have an amazing time with family and friends too. Whether you simply cut a hole in the ice and sit on a bucket or set up an elaborate shanty complete with a television, food, and a heater, you are bound to enjoy ice fishing at these popular North Dakota locales.
Be Properly Prepared
Before heading out to the frozen waters, it’s important to be properly prepared for the cold elements. This includes winterizing your vehicle, loading essential supplies in your car for driving in winter and packing all necessary supplies for ice fishing.
The first thing you need to do is make sure your vehicle can get you over the icy roads and through the deep snow to your favorite ice fishing spot. Follow these tips for getting your vehicle ready for winter.
Schedule Winter Maintenance
Call your trusted auto mechanic to have your car serviced and prepared for winter driving. The mechanic will check the following systems and equipment, ensuring they are in top-notch condition:
- Battery: As temperatures drops, a car’s battery power also decreases. The mechanic will check the battery to make sure it’s optimally powered.
- Cooling System: A proper ratio of antifreeze and water needs to be maintained in order to prevent corrosion.
- Brakes: Have your mechanic inspect the brakes as this system needs to be in the best condition possible, especially when driving on winter roads.
- Spark Plugs and More: If any of the belts, hoses, spark plugs, wires, or cables fail while you’re driving in cold weather, you could be stranded for an unknown amount of time.
- Winter Tires: Switch to winter tires, which are specifically built for driving on icy, snowy roads.
- Wipers and Fluid: Winter wipers are heavier than regular ones and have rubber on them that keeps ice from freezing on the blades. Be sure to top off your washer fluid before venturing out as well.
Load Your Car With Supplies for Winter Driving
Winter driving can be done safely, especially if you are prepared with essential supplies that will keep you and your family warm and safe in the event of an incident. Taking the time to plan ahead will increase your chances of being able to ice fish all day long. Load these items in your vehicle before you head out on the road:
- Ice scraper and snow brush.
- Shovel and a bag of sand or kitty litter.
- Flashlight.
- Blankets, gloves, hats, boots, and other warm winter clothes.
- Bottled water and snacks.
- First aid kit.
- Jumper cables.
Pack Essential Ice Fishing Supplies
While you can go all out with ice fishing supplies and equipment, you’ll need these basic ice fishing items you need to enjoy a day of fishing on the frozen water.
- Rod and reel combo specifically for ice fishing.
- Five-gallon bucket for seating or to transport your supplies.
- Ice auger and scoop to dig a hole in the ice.
- Metal shoe cleats to walk more easily on the ice.
- Sled or tarp for loading and transporting your gear.
- Clothes for ice fishing like snow pants, winter coat, gloves, hat, boots, and neck warmer.
Ice Fishing Spots in North Dakota
Now that your vehicle is ready for winter driving and your car is stocked with winter emergency supplies and the ice fishing equipment you need, you are ready to enjoy this popular winter activity. If you’re not sure where to go, be sure to check out these favorites of many local North Dakotans.
Devils Lake
Located in Ramsey County, Devils Lake is North Dakota’s largest body of water and is stocked with a variety of fish. Many ice fishermen and women have reported catching jumbo yellow perch, northern pike, walleye, and white bass.
Upper Souris Wildlife Refuge
Lake Darling and the Souris River are popular fishing spots located at the Upper Souris Wildlife Refuge. While people enjoy fishing at this locale all year long, winter ice fishing is also very popular. Be on the lookout for pike, walleye, yellow perch, and smallmouth bass.
Lake Metigoshe
Lake Metigoshe can be found in the Turtle Mountains, near the United States-Canadian border. As one of the cleanest freshwater lakes in North Dakota, it’s home to pike, walleye, bluegills, and crappie.
Buffalo Lodge Lake
With over 1,300 acres of after to fish from, Buffalo Lodge Lake is a prime body of water for catching northern pike, walleye, and yellow perch. It also boasts a depth of 12 feet, making it the perfect location in McHenry County for ice fishing.
Lake Sakakawea
Seventy-five miles northwest of Bismarck, Lake Sakakawea is home to walleye that ranges from 15 to 20 inches in length, as well as pike that is over 15 pounds. It’s also a great area for darkhouse spearfishing.
Scooby Lake
If you want to catch some perch or walleye, head out to Scooby Lake in the town of Benedict. You can access the fishing area on the northeast side of the lake.
Lake Audubon
McLean County is home to Lake Audubon where can you find bass, walleye, perch, musky, and pike. The most popular species of fish found here are smallmouth bass and walleye.
Des Lac National Forest
Plan on spending a weekend of ice fishing up at Des Lac National Forest. With three fishing spots to choose from, you can spend a few days or more catching fish, one right after the other. The three fishing areas include Des Lacs River, Middle Des Lacs Lake, and Des Lacs Reservoir.
Now that you have a few options to choose from the next time you go ice fishing, which one of these locations will you try first? Do you have a favorite fishing spot that we didn’t mention here? If so, contact us to let us know. We’ll be more than happy to add it to this list. The team at Rydell Auto Group is always looking for recommendations from our customers.
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