Minnesota Man Pulls Record-Breaking Fish from Two Feet of Ice

Continue reading...

Ice fishing is popular in many northern U.S. states. The sport requires a minimum of four inches of clear ice and long periods of sub-freezing temperatures to ensure the ice is safe for fishing. Perch, trout, walleye, pike, and largemouth and smallmouth bass are some of the most sought-after fish because they remain active in colder water.

In the video above, a fisherman lands a massive lake sturgeon from the St. Croix River in Minnesota. Three hours of waiting in the cold, plus digging holes through two feet of solid ice, paid off. The incredible 120-pound fish was 78 inches long with a 29.5-inch girth, setting a new state record for catch-and-release fish. Keep reading to learn more about ice fishing and this once-in-a-lifetime catch.

What Is Ice Fishing?

Ice fishing involves catching fish from holes that have been cut or drilled in frozen bodies of water. The holes are cut with ice chisels, sometimes called “spud bars,” or drilled with ice augers. Most holes are between 6-8 inches in diameter, but larger fish like walleye require larger holes. The two primary techniques for ice fishing are jigging and tip-ups. Jigging is a vertical fishing technique that imitates a fish’s prey. Jigging rods are used to jerk the line up and down and side to side, tempting a fish to bite.

The second method is to use traps called tip-ups. The traps span the hole and suspend the bait underwater. The trap signals the fisherman with a flag when a fish has taken the bait. When the flag is triggered, the trap is removed and the fisherman pulls the line to set the hook. Then the fish is pulled up by hand.

Ice Fishing vs. Regular Fishing

The most obvious difference between the two types of fishing is the environment. Multiple layers of clothing are required to keep warm, including a thick winter coat, waterproof snow pants, and waterproof boots. In addition to a personal flotation device, ice picks are essential to pull yourself out of the water, and ice cleats prevent slips and falls.

Different fishing techniques, described above, and specialized fishing equipment are necessary as well. Ice fishing rods are shorter and stiffer. Special lures are used for vertical presentation. An ice chisel or ice auger is imperative to test ice thickness and cut the hole. Sonar equipment locates the fish under the ice so fishermen know where to cut. Some anglers also set up portable shelters with heaters so they can fish in the frigid weather.

Fish Behavior

Fish behavior also differs between seasons. They are cold-blooded, so their body temperatures are dependent on outside influences. So, fish are more active in warmer weather and can be found at all water depths. In winter when food is limited, fish are more sedentary. They slow their metabolisms, sometimes even their heart rates, to limit growth and conserve energy.

Water temperature is usually colder at the bottom of lakes and rivers in the summer. Water near the ice is colder because denser, warmer (around 4°C) freshwater sinks to the bottom. So, some fish species move deeper into the warmer water. Many fish have a specific depth where they remain resting. Winter conditions can make fish more predictable, but sluggish fish can also be trickier to entice. However, some species including perch, bass, walleye, and lake sturgeon stay comparatively active and can even become more aggressive.

The Record-Breaking Catch

Although fish may expend less energy chasing prey in the winter, hungry fish will take a chance on the right bait. Live bait is often recommended because fish are more easily enticed with live prey. In the video above, the fisherman used fathead minnows and nightcrawlers, or earthworms, to attract the record-breaking lake sturgeon.

Lake sturgeon are large fish with long lifespans. The average adult measures 4-6 feet in length and weighs between 30-80 pounds. They typically live 50-100 years, but experts believe they can live as long as 150 years. Particularly old individuals can reach seven feet and weigh up to 300 pounds. At 6.5 feet and 120 pounds, the record breaker is likely to be an old fish. So it was released back into the water for the next generation of fishermen to appreciate.