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