Keep it Simple and Catch Fish One of the beauties of ice fishing is that only very basic gear is required. All you need is an ice auger or chisel, an ice skimmer, and a sounding sinker to check the depth and place your bait or lure in the strike zone. For panfish, you ll need a few jigging lures, some bait, and a basic jigging stick or rod. In most cases, if you already have an ultralight spinning rod, it will work just fine for jigging up walleyes and panfish. Tip-ups baited with minnows are effective for northern pike, walleyes and trout, and can be purchased at most local tackle shops.
Live minnows are available at many shops.
If you re not familiar with ice fishing, visit a local tackle shop that specializes in this popular outdoor winter sport. Some of these shops have operated for years within a stone s throw of major winter fishing hot spots like Oneida Lake and Sandy Pond. Where to Fish Oneida Lake, the Walleye Capital of New York State, heads the list of Oswego County ice fishing waters. This productive warmwater lake is easily accessible from Interstate Rt. 90, minutes away to the south.