The Ice Fishing Newsletter

Fife Lake Annual Ice Fishing Derby | 2/14/2026 | Event Calendar

This event falls on the Free Fishing Weekend, which means there is no license required. $1,000 Grand Prize & Big Catch prizes for pike, perch & wa…

Livescope takes ice fishing to the next level

<div><img src="https://bloximages.newyork1.vip.townnews.com/messagemedia.co/content/tncms/assets/v3/editorial/7/0b/70b18eee-6bf1-4ef8-9034-cd4ee4ca5726/69889f278eab3.image.jpg?crop=574,301,631,400&resize=438,230&order=crop,resize" style="width: 100%;" /><div>Livescope is by far the most exciting — yet controversial sonar technology to ever hit the market. It can also be a very polarizing subject for many anglers. But whatever</div></div>

Anglers face ice fishing challenges with early snowmelt

<div><img src="https://gray-kfyr-prod.gtv-cdn.com/resizer/v2/FMUSEB4ZOZABDMLWXJCMMI7PGU.jpg?auth=3d399e41fe614e94566bcbec38684a70f2f7b25e4a6f3012dcbe69e8621e71b4&width=1200&height=600&smart=true" style="width: 100%;" /><div>Anglers we spoke with say early snowmelt is impacting access to lakes for ice fishing, and fish aren't biting as much right now.</div></div>

UNK students excel in international ice fishing competition

<div><img src="https://nebraska.tv/resources/media2/16x9/250/1320/0x42/90/dde468ee-af9a-4aee-8f8d-9524b0e2b5e1-icefishing.jpg" style="width: 100%;" /><div>University of Nebraska – Kearney students are making waves in the North Central Division of Hardwater Havoc, a USA-Canada collegiate ice fishing competition.Cur</div></div>

City of Oswego bans Ice fishing on river and waterways

<div><img src="https://cnycentral.com/resources/media2/16x9/590/1320/0x82/90/ec456742-ac3a-49db-b5a7-74a3a4ce256f-fishingban.jpg" style="width: 100%;" /><div>The City of Oswego has issued an executive order prohibiting ice fishing and other activities on the Oswego River.</div></div>

Game and Fish warns anglers to use caution during warm weather ice fishing

MINOT, ND (KXNET) — According to the North Dakota Game and Fish Department, the state has more than 400 fishing waters with public access. While this gives many folks the opportunity to get out on the ice and fish, leaders are reminding people it’s important to be cautious. Throughout the state, ice on rivers and […]

I’ve tested dozens of ice fishing kits. These 10 budget essentials actually hold up in frigid conditions.

Our ice fishing expert breaks down the ice fishing gear you need to stay warm and dry while tackling the hard water.

‘White ice’ poses significant risks for ice fishing and skating

Cold temperatures have led to ice formation on local waterways, creating opportunities for ice fishing and skating.

Northwest Tech celebrates 60th anniversary with ice fishing derby

Many students attending Northwest Technical College chose it because of Bemidji's outdoor opportunities. Knowing this, faculty decided to celebrate NTC's 60th anniversary the best way possible: with an ice fishing derby.

Outdoors: Frigid weather ushers in the return of ice fishing

Dress right: Wear layers, including a wool sweater or other garment under a water-and-wind-resistant shell. Wool retains your ...

Winter weather lures anglers to Lake Erie for ice fishing

The bitter cold temperatures so far this winter might have many Western New Yorkers wanting to stay inside, but the constant ...

City of Oswego updates ice fishing ban to include all activities on the ice

<div><img src="https://bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com/oswegocountynewsnow.com/content/tncms/assets/v3/editorial/d/12/d12ad842-805c-11ec-9659-578e29aeb17b/61f4239de609f.image.jpg?crop=1761,925,0,126&resize=1200,630&order=crop,resize" style="width: 100%;" /><div>OSWEGO — The city of Oswego on Tuesday updated its prohibition on ice fishing on the Oswego River and other waterways in the city to include all other activities, such as snowshoeing, ice skating and hiking.Mayor Rob Corradino issued an executive order that takes effect immediately. × This page requires Javascript. Javascript is required for you to be able to read premium content. Please enable it in your browser settings. kAm%96 >2J@C :DDF65 2 D:>:=2C 6I64FE:G6 @C56C @? uC:52J AC@9:3:E:?8 :46 7:D9:?8[ 4:E:?8 D276EJ 4@?46C?D] %96 4:EJ D2:5 2E E96 E:>6 E92E E96 ~DH68@ #:G6C :D 2 A@AF=2C 7:D9:?8 2C62[ H:E9 2?8=6CD 7:D9:?8 7C@> D9@C6 2?5 :? 3@2ED J62C\C@F?5[ 3FE H2C?65 E92E 36=@H\7C66K:?8 E6>A6C2EFC6D 925 42FD65 A@CE:@?D @7 E96 C:G6C E@ 7C66K6 @G6C[ =625:?8 2?8=6CD E@ G6?EFC6 E@ E96 7C@K6? 6586 E@ 7:D9]k^Am #placement_726068_0_i{width:100%;margin:0 auto;}var rnd = window.rnd || Math.floor(Math.random()*10e6);var pid726068 = window.pid726068 || rnd;var plc726068 = window.plc726068 || 0;var abkw = window.abkw || '';var absrc = 'https://ads.empowerlocal.co/adserve/;ID=181918;size=0x0;setID=726068;type=js;sw='+screen.width+';sh='+screen.height+';spr='+window.devicePixelRatio+';kw='+abkw+';pid='+pid726068+';place='+(plc726068++)+';rnd='+rnd+';click=CLICK_MACRO_PLACEHOLDER';var _absrc = absrc.split("type=js"); absrc = _absrc[0] + 'type=js;referrer=' + encodeURIComponent(document.location.href) + _absrc[1];document.write('<scr'+'ipt src="'+absrc+'" type="text/javascript"></'+'script>');kAmr@CC25:?@ D2:5 =2DE H66< E92E E96 C:G6C’D DEC@?8 4FCC6?ED H6C6 2 52?86C E@ 2?J@?6 H9@ H6?E @FE @?E@ E96 7C@K6? :46 D96=7 2=@?8 E96 C:G6C E@ 7:D9]k^AmkAm“%96 C:D< :D E@@ 8C62E E@ @77D6E 2?J C6H2C5 E92E :46 7:D9:?8 @? E96 ~DH68@ #:G6C 4@F=5 3C:?8 E@ 6G6? E96 >@DE 42C67F= 2?8=6C[” E96 >2J@C D2:5 :? 2 AC6DD C6=62D6] “x46 7:D9:?8 @? E96 ~DH68@ #:G6C :D 7@@=:D9 2?5 52?86C@FDj ?@E ;FDE 7@C E96 2?8=6CD 3FE 7@C @FC 7:CDE C6DA@?56CD H9@ H:== 2?DH6C E96 42== @7 2 A6CD@? :? 5:DEC6DD]”k^AmkAmr@CC25:?@ D2:5 E92E E96 }6H *@C< $E2E6 r2?2= r@CA] 92D ;FC:D5:4E:@? @G6C E96 42?2= 2?5[ 3J 6IE6?D:@?[ E96 ?2G:823=6 H2E6CD @7 E96 C:G6C[ 3FE E96 42?2= :D 4=@D65 7@C E96 D62D@? 2?5 E96C67@C6 2?J@?6 6?E6C:?8 @?E@ E96 C:G6C :D EC6DA2DD:?8 2?5 DF3;64E E@ 2CC6DE] ':@=2E@CD H:== 7246 492C86D @7 EC6DA2DD:?8[ 5:D@C56C=J 4@?5F4E 2?5 2?J @E96C C6=6G2?E AC@G:D:@?D @7 E96 =2H[ 96 D2:5]k^AmkAm~? %F6D52J[ r@CC25:?@ D2:5 E96 4:EJ H2D :?:E:2==J 4@?46C?65 23@FE :?5:G:5F2=D :46 7:D9:?8 3642FD6 E92E H2D H92E @77:4:2=D ?@E:465]k^AmkAm“qFE E96? A6@A=6 DE2CE65 42==:?8 23@FE :46 D<2E:?8 2?5 D?@HD9@6:?8[ D@ H6 492?865 =2?8F286 :? E96 @C56C[” 96 D2:5]k^AmkAmr@CC25:?@ D2:5 E96 4:EJ H2D 2=D@ 4@?E24E65 3J E96 G:==286 @7 !9@6?:I[ H9:49 :D @? E96 C:G6C 2?5 H2D C646:G:?8 42==D 7C@> E96 AF3=:4 2D<:?8 :7 E96 32? :?4=F565 E96 6?E:C6 ~DH68@ #:G6C] w6 D2:5 E96 FA52E65 @C56C 4=2C:7:6D E92E E96 32? :D @?=J H:E9:? E96 ~DH68@ 4:EJ =:>:ED]k^AmkAm%96 >2J@C C6:E6C2E65 E92E E96 DEC@?8 4FCC6?ED @7 E96 C:G6C 2C6 52?86C@FD 2?5 E92E E96 :46 @? E96 C:G6C 42? 36 5646AE:G6=J E9:?] w6 D2:5 C2A:5=J >@G:?8 H2E6C F?56C E96 :46 4@?DE:EFE6D 2? :?96C6?E 52?86C F?56C 8F:52?46 7C@> E96 }2E:@?2= (62E96C $6CG:46]k^AmkAmr@CC25:?@ D2:5 E96 }6H *@C< $E2E6 r2?2= $JDE6> :?E6CD64ED H:E9 E96 62DE6C?\>@DE ?2G:823=6 A2CE @7 E96 C:G6C 2?5 E92E D:?46 E96 42?2= DJDE6> :D 4=@D65 7@C E96 D62D@?[ 2?J@?6 6?E6C:?8 E96 C:G6C E9C@F89 E96 }6H *@C< $E2E6 r2?2= r@CA]’D AC@A6CEJ :D EC6DA2DD:?8 2?5 42? C646:G6 2 E:4<6E @C 36 2CC6DE65]k^AmkAm%96 4:EJ AC@G:565 2 >2A D9@H:?8 E96 r2?2= r@CA]UCDBF@jD AC@A6CEJ] %96 >2A 42? 36 D66? 2E k2 9C67lQ9EEADi^^HHH]@DH68@4@F?EJ?6HD?@H]4@>^Qm9EEADi^^HHH]@DH68@4@F?EJ?6HD?@H]4@>^k^2mk^Am googletag.cmd.push(function() { googletag.display('ad-2978731'); });</div></div>

Kite festival and ice fishing event canceled this month

<div><img src="https://bloximages.newyork1.vip.townnews.com/kdrv.com/content/tncms/assets/v3/editorial/8/cd/8cdeb932-eb30-11ef-a811-c7c9f407f873/67afda616fa5e.image.jpg?crop=1280,672,0,23&resize=1200,630&order=crop,resize" style="width: 100%;" /><div>The Annual Kite Festival, initially set for this weekend, has been canceled.</div></div>

Belgrade Chains ice fishing derby attracts record of nearly 1,000 anglers

<div><img src="https://i0.wp.com/bdn-data.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/2026/02/Kevin-Capponi-northern-pike.jpg?fit=1200,1074&ssl=1" style="width: 100%;" /><div>Saturday marked the fourth annual ice fishing derby at Belgrade Chains, raising funds for St. Michael School in Augusta.</div></div>

Check out photos of ice fishing at Ada Hayden Park in Ames

<div><img src="https://www.amestrib.com/gcdn/authoring/authoring-images/2026/02/09/NATR/88598099007-0209-icefishing-1.jpg?crop=2999,1687,x0,y83&width=2999&height=1687&format=pjpg&auto=webp" style="width: 100%;" /><div>Fishermen dropped lines through the ice at Ada Hayden Park while enjoying the warm weather Feb. 9 in Ames.</div></div>

Getting youths hooked on fishing

<div><img src="https://s3.amazonaws.com/ogden_images/www.nujournal.com/images/2026/02/09174147/Adam-and-Owen-Herzog-750x500.jpg" style="width: 100%;" /><div>NEW ULM – The panfish were biting on Clear Lake Saturday, during the New Ulm Area Sport Fishermen Ice Fishing Contest. It was the New Ulm Area Sport Fishermen’s 39th annual Ice Fishing contest. Club president Chad Wills said this was a strong year for ice fishing. There was 18 inches of ice Saturday, which […]</div></div>

A reminder from F&W to remove ice shanties

<div><img src="https://bloximages.newyork1.vip.townnews.com/benningtonbanner.com/content/tncms/assets/v3/editorial/9/57/95740d90-7a5c-4982-b406-a4d7a580db9b/698a469ebeb08.image.jpg?crop=1247,655,0,503&resize=1200,630&order=crop,resize" style="width: 100%;" /><div>MONTPELIER – Vermont state law requires that ice fishing shanties be removed from the ice before the ice weakens according the Vermont Fish and Wildlife Department.</div></div>

Chapman Lake is back, in time for ice fishing in northern Pennsylvania

<div><img src="https://www.outdoornews.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/PA-1.jpg" style="width: 100%;" /><div>The fishing is primed to be perhaps as good as it’s been in a long while at Chapman Lake. That’s a matter of stocking, habitat and nature simply doing its thing.</div></div>

Tilton angler nabs largest lake trout in ice-fishing derby

<div><img src="https://bloximages.newyork1.vip.townnews.com/laconiadailysun.com/content/tncms/assets/v3/editorial/f/83/f8357345-251d-481e-91f1-eb68772fd72e/698a1bb9b3e1c.image.jpg?crop=1662,873,0,187&resize=1200,630&order=crop,resize" style="width: 100%;" /><div>MEREDITH — The Great Meredith Rotary Ice Fishing Derby concluded Sunday, and Lake Winnipesaukee may be a little lighter through the winter.</div></div>

Free Fishing Weekend in Maine: February 14-15

Free Fishing Weekend is coming up, February 14-15, during which time any person may fish without a license (excludes those with suspended or revoked licenses, according to Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife, in a news release.) "So, if you’ve never tried ice fishing—or haven’t been out since you were a kid—this is your sign," said DIFW. "Leave the excuses at home, bundle up, and give it a go. You’ll be glad you did." Ice fishing is about more than what’s on the end of the line, ac