| One of the most popular recreational forms of | | | | largest fish catches within a limited period of |
| fishing in Scandinavia, Russia and Germany is Ice | | | | time.One of the contests attracting more people |
| Fishing, a sport also practiced in Canada and the | | | | every year is held at the Houghton Lake in |
| United States, not only during winter, but also all | | | | Michigan. The "Tip-Up Town, USA", an annual |
| year round in Alaska. However the most popular | | | | festival celebrated the last 56 years ago during |
| place to enjoy this activity is in the Great Lakes. | | | | the second third of winter, and enhanced with |
| Considered originally from Scandinavia, it was | | | | other snow related activities such as strolling, |
| brought to America by Swedish, Norwegian and | | | | snowmobiling, snow-sculpting and fireworks, in |
| Finnish settlers arriving to Minnesota, a state | | | | conjunction with Ice fishing.While in the United |
| where people from Nordic families is totally | | | | States, Ice fishing contests have a prevalent |
| engaged in this sport. Ice fishing was exported to | | | | carnival like atmosphere, full of camaraderie, in |
| Canada from Minnesota and from here, it also | | | | Finland, ice fishing contests have been defaced |
| arrived in Alaska.Minnesotans found ice fishing an | | | | after repeated scandals involving both organizers |
| entertaining option, keeping in mind that the Great | | | | and contestants, who have been caught cheating, |
| Lakes are often totally frozen, with the only | | | | making people belief this is not a sport, but just a |
| exception being Lake Erie. When the bays of the | | | | pastime. However, in the United States there is |
| Great Lakes freeze, yellow perch and northern | | | | an association supporting ice fishing activities, the |
| pike are the most common catches waiting for | | | | American Ice Fishing Association (AIFA), which |
| enthusiasts of this sport. Ice fishing is practiced | | | | says that ice fishing contributes to managing the |
| catching fish with lines and spears or hooks by | | | | fish species population, and the economic growth |
| opening a hole in the frozen lake to fish through. | | | | of the community, bringing calming and relaxing |
| Depending on personal preferences, fishermen can | | | | effects of well being to all the participants.Because |
| sit in a heated cabin on the ice or on a stool | | | | ice fishing can be something more than a one-day |
| placed on the open expanse of the frozen lake. | | | | experience, there are shelters conveniently |
| Cabins are more popular indeed, because most of | | | | located for longer fishing expeditions. Some others |
| them have bunks and diverse amenities.From all | | | | are mounted on-demand using simple structures, |
| the forms of fishing, ice fishing is perhaps the | | | | although the larger heated structures are basic for |
| activity requiring less effort and skill, just patience, | | | | the success of fishing trips lasting several |
| good luck and the inner conviction of enjoy doing | | | | days.There is a website that describes boat |
| nothing else that sitting on ice, if not physical, at | | | | fishing, ice fishing, and has info on numerous |
| least exposed to low temperatures. For some | | | | freshwater fish, baits, and lures, plus other great |
| people, this condition may appear unappealing but | | | | freshwater fishing tips. The website is called: |
| in the northern states, ice fishing is considered a | | | | Fishing Stringer, and may be found at this address: |
| serious entertaining activity with competitions and | | | | Robert W. |
| contests offering good prizes to people with the | | | | |