| One of the most popular recreational forms of | | | | Michigan. The "Tip-Up Town, USA", an annual |
| fishing in Scandinavia, Russia and Germany is Ice | | | | festival celebrated the last 56 years ago during |
| Fishing, a sport also practiced in Canada and the | | | | the second third of winter, and enhanced with |
| United States, not only during winter, but also all | | | | other snow related activities such as strolling, |
| year round in Alaska. However the most popular | | | | snowmobiling, snow-sculpting and fireworks, in |
| place to enjoy this activity is in the Great Lakes. | | | | conjunction with Ice fishing. |
| Considered originally from Scandinavia, it was | | | | While in the United States, Ice fishing contests |
| brought to America by Swedish, Norwegian and | | | | have a prevalent carnival like atmosphere, full of |
| Finnish settlers arriving to Minnesota, a state | | | | camaraderie, in Finland, ice fishing contests have |
| where people from Nordic families is totally | | | | been defaced after repeated scandals involving |
| engaged in this sport. Ice fishing was exported to | | | | both organizers and contestants, who have been |
| Canada from Minnesota and from here, it also | | | | caught cheating, making people belief this is not a |
| arrived in Alaska. | | | | sport, but just a pastime. However, in the United |
| Minnesotans found ice fishing an entertaining | | | | States there is an association supporting ice fishing |
| option, keeping in mind that the Great Lakes are | | | | activities, the American Ice Fishing Association |
| often totally frozen, with the only exception being | | | | (AIFA), which says that ice fishing contributes to |
| Lake Erie. When the bays of the Great Lakes | | | | managing the fish species population, and the |
| freeze, yellow perch and northern pike are the | | | | economic growth of the community, bringing |
| most common catches waiting for enthusiasts of | | | | calming and relaxing effects of well being to all the |
| this sport. Ice fishing is practiced catching fish with | | | | participants. |
| lines and spears or hooks by opening a hole in the | | | | Because ice fishing can be something more than a |
| frozen lake to fish through. Depending on personal | | | | one-day experience, there are shelters |
| preferences, fishermen can sit in a heated cabin | | | | conveniently located for longer fishing expeditions. |
| on the ice or on a stool placed on the open | | | | Some others are mounted on-demand using |
| expanse of the frozen lake. Cabins are more | | | | simple structures, although the larger heated |
| popular indeed, because most of them have | | | | structures are basic for the success of fishing |
| bunks and diverse amenities. | | | | trips lasting several days. |
| From all the forms of fishing, ice fishing is perhaps | | | | There is a website that describes boat fishing, ice |
| the activity requiring less effort and skill, just | | | | fishing, and has info on numerous freshwater fish, |
| patience, good luck and the inner conviction of | | | | baits, and lures, plus other great freshwater |
| enjoy doing nothing else that sitting on ice, if not | | | | fishing tips. The website is called: Fishing Stringer, |
| physical, at least exposed to low temperatures. | | | | and may be found at this address: |
| For some people, this condition may appear | | | | By Robert W. Benjamin |
| unappealing but in the northern states, ice fishing is | | | | Copyright © 2006 |
| considered a serious entertaining activity with | | | | You may publish this article in your ezine, |
| competitions and contests offering good prizes to | | | | newsletter or on your web site as long as it is |
| people with the largest fish catches within a | | | | reprinted in its entirety and without modification |
| limited period of time. | | | | except for formatting needs or grammar |
| One of the contests attracting more people | | | | corrections. |
| every year is held at the Houghton Lake in | | | | |