Smart wool socks are great in that they are made to be comfortable and not scratchy like wool is always considered to be.  On top of that, it carries the key aspect of all wool: it keeps you warm even when wet. 

Try a pair today and notice how much better it keeps your feet comfortable and warm.

I have heard of two ways to keep the hole open that are both simple and inexpensive.

1. Take a cloth, fill it with rock salt (like the kind you would use on your driveway), and tie it shut.  Place the salt filled cloth down the hole.  That is it.  The salt mixes with the water and creates a much lower freezing point allowing it to remain ice free.

2. This option is a bit more involved, but yields better results, especially when it is really cold.  drill a second hole adjacent to the hole you are fishing, but not completely through the ice.  Make sure that water can make its way over to both holes.  Place a metal coffee can (or similar metal can) in the hole filled with charcoal.  Light the charcoal and let it burn while you fish.  The burning charcoal keep the water warm enough to not freeze.

What ways do you use to keep your ice holes open when it get cold outside?

1. Ask a friend, family member, or acquaintance

If you have a friend, family member or acquaintance that ice fishes this is likely the best way to get a good spot to fish.  Not only do they know what they are doing, they are more likely to give you good advice as to what to look for.  Even if you can't think of someone off hand that fishes, I bet if you ask 5 people they can think of someone pretty quick.

2. Ask the local bait shop.

Fine tune an area that you would like to fish and locate a bait shop in close proximity.  It is always in their best interest to point you in the right direction to catch some fish.  If you don't catch fish where they tell you to go, you are less likely to return.  Last year I was tipped off on a hot walleye bite on a local lake that yielded a very nice 'eye on my next trip.

3. Ask the local conservation officer / DNR representative

A simple call to your local CO can be a great way to locate a good fishing lake.  it is there job to be on the lakes and checking ice anglers to make sure they stay within the regulations.  They will have good knowledge of good spots to fish.  The numbers of these people can easily be found on your state's DNR website.

4. Check the DNR website for lake information / stocking reports

While on the site looking for the CO's number in the above way, make sure to look for any information they have regarding ice fishing.  Often they will have vast amounts of information on lakes as well as fish stocking reports and the like.  If you delve into the site modestly you will almost assuredly come away with some good information on where to ice fish.

5. Check out an internet ice fishing forum in your region

There are two ways to use this information.  First, many times they separate out the regions into specific lakes or chains of lakes.  Odds are if they separate it out it is because there is good fishing at these spots.  The most popular way is to read the posts of people and hone in on a good lake.

Using these 5 tips will get you well along your way to finding a great spot to fish on the ice this winter.

Do you have a great way of finding a spot that I missed?

The page is located at Ice Fishing Definitions.

What key terms am I missing or do you feel should be added?

Check out his website (www.tonyswallsofart.com) for other murals he has painted, including this great ice fishing mural. 

The source of this information can be found at: http://fishingvermont.net/images/Ice/Ice_th1.jpg