Watch out for holes in the ice or open water. Thin and crispy, way too risky. On a large lake you can lose your sense of direction if you get caught in the dark, or if the weather should turn nasty. Some anglers have a compass strapped right to their arm where it's visible or one in an accessible outside pocket. It wouldn't hurt to take a bearing from your fishing hole back to a visible landmark as well.
Careful planning begins with checking the weather report and getting back to safety before dark.
To view the Wisconsin Fishing Regulations, click here. Look in the toolbox. This is a practical way to haul equipment onto the ice. Some anglers put their gear on top of their shanty, which is transported on runners. Ice auger - This tool is for drilling your fishing hole in the ice.