I took a large group of people out on the ice on Saturday for their Father/Son Retreat weekend. Many of the participants, both fathers and kids, had never been ice fishing before and some have never even caught a fish! We targeted mainly panfish but found our way into a few bass as well...


Working over a finicky bluegill...


... and his first fish!!!


Father Richard... from Africa and his first time on the ice kissing his price catch!


Bass!!!


Another first!!!


The weather on Saturday was a little windy, but when we started to get cold we brought out the soccer ball and football and played a few games

Most of the sunfish we caught were in 7-9 feet of water on the weed edge. Maggots and waxworms tipped on a little teardrop seemed to be the ticket. By the end of the day these kids were catching fish without a bobber and were hole hopping like the pros!

I sat down with the group at their church before we ventured out on the ice. Once I found out that most of them had never ice fished, and that some have never even caught a fish, I realized it was going to be a fun day! This was one of those days where you really get to see why ice fishing is such a great sport! One of the more fun days I've had on the ice in a long time!!