Before heading out on the ice always put safety first. On many lakes and flowages, the first time out can be treacherous. Make sure there is at least three to four inches of ice and try to avoid lakes and flowages with moving water. Typically small lakes under 200 acres are the first to have first ice. Another tip is to avoid fishing alone at first ice.
Early ice can also be one of the most comfortable and easy periods to fish.
While temperatures are cold, prolonged periods of sub-zero cold are rare. Although nights are cold it is not unusual to be on the ice and have temperatures above freezing during the day. Access is also easy at first ice. Most of the action occurs within a short distance from a lake s access. With only limited snow cover, moving around on the ice is no problem.