Ice season is coming on like a freight train, so now is the time to begin preparation for your time on the ice. I have tried to run the gamut on all the gear you may or may not have.

10. Locate all your ice fishing gear
If you are anything like me last season ended and stuff got scattered around your abode. So go around and find all the equipment and place in one central location. I'm talking about all your ice rods, flasher, auger, clothing, tackle, and so on.

9. Charge up your batteries
For whatever devices need them, charge up your batteries for your flasher(s), underwater camera(s), and ice auger(s). They likely are dead after sitting the past 8+ months.

8. Spool up your reels with new line
Now is the time to spool your reels. Invariably the time it will bite you in the rear if you don't is when you have the largest fish of the season on the other end of your line leading you to lose him.

7. Dry run your auger
This point is moot if you use a hand auger, but if you run an electric auger or gas auger get out and try them out. Mix the gas you will need. Make sure they are running ok. The worst time to find out they are not is when you are on the lake.

6. Test out your ice fishing flasher
At home you can connect the battery and turn the unit on. Ensure that it powers up and the display is working correctly. If you have time you can run to a lake and test out it is working, but this is rarely the issue.

5. Run your portable propane heater
I like to take mine hunting with me at least once, but if you don't hunt or are not inclined to bring it with, test run it outside your house. Make sure that the starter works and the heater kicks out the heat you expect it to.

4. Put up your portable ice shelter
Mice are notorious for wreaking havoc on portable houses, so if you own one put it up in your garage and note whether a furry little creature has bitten a hole in the exterior. It is always easier to patch it now that live with it all season long.

3. Test run your underwater camera
Attach the battery pack and turn the unit on. Make sure that the camera is working and the display looks like you expect it. A bad battery is usually the culprit if it doesn't work, but bad connections are also somewhat common.

2. Sit down and think of the set of lakes you are going to target
Most likely you have a well defined list of lakes that you are going to fish, either by proximity to you or by success in the past. None the less, it never hurts to have a couple lakes in your back pocket in case things are slow at your normal haunts.

1. Rig up your favorite lure
Invariably you will have one or two lures that you prefer the most for ice fishing. For me it is the Lindy Frostee Jigging Spoon. Locate your lures and tie them to your rod(s).

If you follow these 10 things you will ready to rock when the water turns hard!