We all easily fall into our monotonous routines and it makes it hard for us to break outside the box and try new things that could improve our ice fishing.  For that reason I have come up with a top 5 list of things that I will try this upcoming ice fishing season.

5. Scout With My Boat Before Ice Up

You will often hear people with sage advice of taking your boat out before ice up and seeing what the fish are doing on your fish finder.  This is a great way to target areas that you can catch fish after the ice is safe to fish on.  I have often thought of doing it, this year I will make this a reality.

4. Target Burbot (Eel Pout)

Scorned by many and loved by few, the Eel Pout is a fish that is either loved or hated.  Deemed "poor man's lobster" for those willing to eat them, the chase of the burbot can be fruitful if given priority.  I plan on targeting them at least one time and will likely even clean one or two to see what the fuss is all about.

3. Sight Fishing

Lauded by many as a great way to increase your fish caught, sight fishing involves finding a clear lake and fishing shallow enough to see the fish with your own two eyes while jigging.  It involves laying on your stomach and jigging to entice strikes, and allows for a greater understanding of what the fish are looking for.

2. Use My GPS To Fish A New Lake

I have often thought of this, but never put it into action.  I am going to blindly pick a lake within 1.5 hours of my house, grab my Garmin GPS with Lakemaster software and head out on a mission for ice fish!  Part of the allure is the adventure, but I would like to think that I can apply my modern ice angling tips on a completely new body of water to all me to catch fish.

1. Tip Up Crappie Fishing

I have heard of many people catching the largest crappies of their lives on tip ups.  Long a staple for northern ice anglers, the tip up can be used on its light setting and rigged with a small hook and a crappie minnow.  You still fish a rod with the normal run and gun approach, just leave the tip up in hopes of enticing a big crappie or bonus walleye to take the bait.

I hope you will use one or all of these ice fishing ideas this season to expand your ice angling horizons.