Alaska Fishing: Ice Patrol

There is a great demand for fishing in Alaska whether off shore or on land (ice fishing). Ice fishing is the sport of catching fish with lines and hooks or spears through an opening in the ice on a frozen body of water. Fisherman may sit on a stool on the open expanse of a frozen lake or sit in a heated cabin on the ice with bunks and a heater.

Many anglers fish with no protective structure, merely heavy coats and gloves and other winter wear. Longer fishing expeditions can be mounted with simple structures. Larger, heated structures can make multi-day fishing trips possible. In Alaska, ice fishing is often a social activity. Not infrequently, the consumption of alcohol is involved. Some resorts have fish houses that are rented out by the day called ice huts. Often, shuttle service via snowmobile is provided, eliminating any need for sobriety on the part of the participants.

There are many dangers involved with ice fishing. Ice needs to freeze to at least four inches in depth to support the weight of humans, and a foot to support the weight of vehicles. Care must be taken, because sometimes ice will break and move with currents, leaving open areas which refreeze with much thinner ice. In Alaska, off-shore winds can break off wide pans of ice stranding large numbers of fisherman. Late winter warm spells can destroy the texture of the ice, which, while still of the required thickness, will not adequately support weight. It is called rotten ice and is exceedingly dangerous. Some ice fishermen will continue to fish, but will carry a pole horizontally to hold them, if they fall through. Fishermen may carry a self rescue device made of two screwdrivers connected by a string to help pull them back onto the ice out of the water.

Ice fishing gear is highly specialized. First, an ice saw or auger is required to cut a circular hole or larger rectangular hole in the ice. Power augers are sometimes used. A strainer is sometimes required to remove new ice as it forms. There are three main types of ice fishing techniques. Small, light fishing rods with small, brightly colored lures may be used in jigging for fish. Tip-ups, which carry a line attached to a flag that tips up when a strike occurs, allow unattended or less-intensive fishing. The line is drug in by hand with no reel. In spear fishing a large hole is cut in the ice and fish decoys may be deployed. The fisherman stands over the hole while holding a large spear attached to a line.