Dress warm for Ice fishing!

 

Never been ice fishing and are not sure how to prepare? Mississippi Park Connection and National Park Services have partnered to create a step-to-step guide to ensure you're prepared for your next ice fishing endeavors.

Step 1: Where to go? Don’t have the right equipment?

Look no further! We'll do the prep work while you enjoy time outdoors with family or friends. Register for Mississippi National River and Recreation Area Ice Fishing Program at Lake Rebecca. We are offering two dates: January 7th and February 4th. Both dates have 5 time slots, starting from 9 am-11 am. Find a time and day that works for you! 

Note*: This event is in collaboration with the National Park Service and Hastings Parks and Recreation. Clicking a time takes you to the HastingMN website. To register click “Enroll Now”

Step 2. Minnesota weather is predictable yet unpredictable. Better to have too many layers than not enough. Even if you don’t plan on staying out all day, ice-fishing clothing that keeps you warm and dry is essential and makes the whole experience much more enjoyable! Learn from Ranger Lauren the proper way to layer up and dress warm for winter in Minnesota.

 

The key to staying warm is dressing in layers. That way you can easily take off or put on layers as your activity level changes or the weather gets warmer or colder. 

  • The base layer. This is a lighter layer that keeps you dry by keeping moisture and water away from your skin. This is important because moisture steals heat faster than your body can make it. Stay away from anything from cotton because if that material gets wet from the snow or your sweat, it will continue to stay wet and make you colder. We recommend a long sleeve top and long underwear pants.

  • The middle layer. This warm insulating layer helps retain your body heat. This can be a warm sweater, a fleece, a sweatshirt, or a light puffy jacket. The thicker this layer is, the warmer you'll be. 

  • The outer layer. This layer helps you retain heat and keep moisture off of you so when it is wet, snowy, or windy it will help you stay warm. Your outer layer can have added insulation for a little extra heat retention. 

  • Proper footwear. Wear high boots with tall wool socks to help keep heat in and moisture out.

  • Ah don't forget! A hat, mittens or gloves, and a scarf! 

Step 3: All dressed up and to Lake Rebecca we GO! What will we do?

Participants can try ice fishing, drilling a hole, getting fishing advice, and learning about Minnesota fish, ice safety, and ice fishing tackle and techniques.Poles tackle, and bait are provided. Instruction is provided by experienced ice anglers and NPS Rangers. 

Participants can warm up in a heated shelter and view the mysterious under-ice world through an underwater camera and learn about the challenging conditions faced by life beneath the ice.

To learn more about how to ice fishing or some examples of fish you may catch head over to the Mississippi River National Park and Recreation Website!

To learn more about winter and cold safety, visit these pages from the National Weather Service: 

 
parkconnection