No gear? No problem.
You do not need a rod, an auger, a flasher or a fish house. That's what the rest of us are for. Turn up in warm clothes and boots and we'll cover the rest.
Home · Your First Outing
Before You ComeYou don't have to be a fisherman.
If you're weighing up whether to show up to something where you won't know anybody — read this. It's the honest version of what a day with us looks like.
What To Expect
Nobody's going to make you talk
The whole point is the company, not the fish. Here's what that actually means in practice.
No experience? Fine.
Plenty of people who come have never drilled a hole in a lake. Somebody will show you. Nobody's keeping score, and nobody cares if you catch nothing.
Not up for talking? Also fine.
There's no circle, no sharing, no facilitator. Sit in the warm house and say nothing all day if that's what you need. People talk when they're ready — usually in the truck.
Come and go as you like
Stay an hour or stay all day. Bring your kid, bring a buddy, bring your dad. If you need to leave early, leave early — no explanation required.
What to bring
Warm layers, waterproof boots, gloves, a hat, sunglasses, and whatever you drink. Ice fishing in Minnesota means you'll want more layers than you think.
Do I need a licence?
Anglers 16 and over generally need a Minnesota fishing licence. We'll tell you plainly before any outing what you need and help you sort it — see the DNR licence page.
Ice Safety
There is no such thing as 100% safe ice
We take this seriously, and so should you. The DNR's own line is worth repeating: ice is never completely safe, and its thickness is never uniform on a lake.
Our rules, every outing. We check conditions before we go and we'll cancel without apology if we don't like them. Nobody drives onto ice we haven't checked. If you're ever unsure out there, say so — we would far rather scrub a day than lose someone.
Official Guidance
Minnesota DNR — Ice Safety
The authority on this. Conditions, cold-water survival, what to do if someone goes through, and why ice thickness varies across a single lake.
dnr.state.mn.us Before You Step OutDNR ice thickness guidelines
The general guidelines for walking, ATVs, cars and trucks on new clear ice — plus why those numbers don't apply to white ice, current, or a warm spell.
Check the guidelines If You're StrugglingVeterans Crisis Line — 988, then 1
Free and confidential, 24/7, whether or not you're enrolled in VA care. You can also text 838255. If today is a hard day, please use it — the fishing will keep.
Call 988, press 1
Still Not Sure?
Come anyway.
Everyone who shows up feels a bit awkward the first time. Two hours later it's the most normal thing in the world. Put your name in and we'll let you know when the first one has a date.