Do you have your tickets yet for the largest ice fishing show in the USA? The Saint Paul Ice Fishing & Winter Sports Show has just opened its doors to the general public at 1pm — and I'm really excited about the weekend!
With over 190 exhibiters as well as a full line-up of speakers, the Ice Fishing Show has a lot to take in. If you're not sure what to take in first, here's my list.
Can't Miss Talks
Walleye On Ice (Friday at 2pm)
If you want to learn how to catch more fish, "Tackle" Terry Tuma is your man. A 2013 inductee into the Freshwater Fishing Hall of Fame, Terry Tuma has been fishing the waters of the Midwest for half a century. He averages over 100+ days of fishing every year! In addition to his seminars, Tackle Terry Tuma writes a regular column for Outdoor News, has a cable TV program and often shares fishing advice on KFAN-AM radio. I'm really looking forward to his Friday 2pm session on Walleye fishing, but if you can't make it, he's also speaking on Saturday at 12pm on Ice Formulas for Panfish.
Q&A with Ice Team Pros (Saturday at 3:00pm)
The Ice Team Pros are passionate about advancing the sport of ice fishing. They're constantly coming up with new ideas to make ice fishing better (Dave Genz invented the Clam Fish trap) and have created a fantastic resource online with their digital magazine and their Across the Belt TV show. I'm looking forward to this session because it's a chance to ask true Ice fishing experts all the questions I have about the sport.
Kids and Family (Sunday at 1:00pm)
Some of my best memories are of fishing with my family. That's a large part of why I love the outdoors — and why I'm looking forward to Ice Team Pros Jason Durham and Chris Granrud's session on Kids and Family. Jason Durham is a national fishing educator and has been a professional fishing guide for over 20 years. He also has a Masters degree in Education and teaches kindergarten! Guide Chris Granrud is one of the best ice fishing guides in Northern Minnesota. His RainyDaze guide service helps anglers learn to catch everything from walleyes, pike, crappies, and sturgeon to smallmouth bass and muskie on the amazing Rainy Lake and Rainy River. I'm looking forward to their ideas on how to help more kids and families enjoy ice fishing.
Women On Ice (Sunday at 11:00am)
Whether you're a woman looking to get started in ice fishing yourself, or would love to get your wife, girlfriend, or daughter involved in the sport, Women on Ice looks like a great session to attend. Top fisherwoman Barb Carey has been teaching fishing classes to women for over 10 years. She's the Founder and President of WI Women Fish, which was founded to get more women interested in the sport, and an award-winning author. You might know her as "Wild Barb" from the Great Wild Radio Show. She'll have a lot of great advice about ice fishing and I'm looking forward to hearing her talk about building a community of women who love to fish.
Can't Miss Vendors:
Ice Castle Ice Houses
Manufacturers of road-licensed, wheeled ice houses, Ice Castle makes it easy to customize your ice house. Their basic ice fishing shanty can be upgraded with Satellite TV, windows, and more. Even better, the ice house can be used as a hunting shack in the fall or as a trailer to haul motorcycles, ATVs, and other toys!
Vexilar Electronics
An expert in marine and sport fishing electronics, Vexilar always has cool technology at their booth. This year, I'm excited to learn more about their FishPhone Camera System, which turns your smart phone into an underwater camera monitor.
Strike Master Augers
Cutting a hole through the ice can be a time-consuming, labor-intensive task. A power auger makes it easier to get through the ice faster, so you can start fishing right away. Stop by the Strike Master booth to check out the new ice augers — or to learn about accessories that will keep your auger in top condition.
St. Croix Ice Rods
A great rod can make ice fishing a lot more fun. Made with stainless steel guides, a traditional cork handle and a solid carbon rod, the St Croix Ice rods have a patented, built-in strike indicator system developed by world ice fishing competiton medalist Greg “The Prowler” Wilczynski. Stop by their booth to test one out.
Northland Tackle
Minnesota-based Northland Tackle has everything you need to catch big fish this winter. Stop by their booth to fill your tacklebox with the latest lures and ice fishing equipment.
Don't Forget to Say Hi to Tousley!
We'll be at the Saint Paul Ice Fishing & Winter Sports Show all weekend at the Polaris booth (#96). Make sure to swing by to say hi and take a look at the cool new sleds for 2016. And if you see us walking through the show, make sure you say hi. We love to talk ice fishing!
