3/24/2019

Fatbike Ice Fishing and How to Do It


For the last couple of winters I've spent some time out on the lakes riding my fatbike and doing so gave me the idea to combine two things I enjoy, cycling and ice fishing.  This winter I finally gathered together the gear and did it.  Through trial and error, some advice from my pro fisherman friend and input from the ice fishing community on social media, I was able to put together some efficient and effective methods for going after fish during hardwater season.  In this article I will go over some of the gear needed, methods used and a few tips and tricks for a successful and fun outing.

Ice Fishing Gear


I was in need of some new ice fishing gear and a fishing license so I did a little shopping at the start of the season.  I picked up a couple of 24" light action rods for jigging panfish and old school wood tip ups for northern pike.  To protect the rods during transport in a backpack or bucket I covered them with with some inexpensive rod sleeves.



I had an old Strikemaster Mora auger but wanted something a little more compact that I could also use with my cordless drill.  The Nero Mini Compact Ice Auger was the perfect choice.  With the turn of a wing nut it could be opened fully or folded in half measuring only 25 inches long. The shaft can also be extended to 53 and 61 inches for drilling through thicker ice.  The blades are so sharp I could even drill a whole while sitting in my folding chair. Punching a couple of holes to start fishing took barely any time at all.  A little slush removal with an ice scoop and I'm ready to fish.


For carrying minnows I use a small cooler or bucket with a battery operated bubbler to keep them lively and to circulate the water to prevent ice from forming.  For short trips when panfishing I will bring some crappie minnows in a 20 oz. Bait Up container.  Wax worms are stored in a bait puck that I keep in my pocket to keep them from freezing and to provide quick access if I need to re-bait my hook.

A small jig box with tackle and a clip on ice fishing depth finder round out my ice gear.  Next winter I plan on purchasing a flasher fish/depth finder but for this season the clip on worked great for finding the depth and only cost $2.29 for a two-pack.


In between ice fishing trips I stored my crappie and sucker minnows in a five gallon bucket equipped with an aquarium pump in the garage.  This meant I always had live minnows when I was ready to go fishing again.  I would only take what I thought I would need for the time spent fishing and leave the rest behind.  Doing this saved a lot of money on bait and trips to the bait store.

Bike Gear


Besides the fatbike, there is some bike gear that is needed for moving around on the lakes.  Some of these I already had while the rest was picked up at my local hardware store.

Until there is packable snow there will be glare ice and studded tires are a must to keep the bike upright and in control.  A commuter backpack comes in handy for the times I want to travel light.

For longer outings when I need to bring more gear I will pull a sled or Smitty sled loaded up and strapped down to secure the load.  To pull these sleds a harness will be needed with quick connect carabiners.  I made my harness with 3/8" synthetic rope pulled through 1/2" pvc pipe.  The length I used was 5' so the sled would not pull too close behind my rear wheel.  The pvc pipe acts as a stiffener for the rope so if I stopped suddenly my sled would also instead of sliding into my back tire.  This pvc/rope combination should be crossed (secured with a zip tie) as seen in the picture for better stability and trailing while turning.  To give the harness the necessary clearance to keep it from rubbing on my tire I secured it to a clamp-on style back rack since my carbon frame has no rack mounts.

Clothing


I stay warm in my winter cycling apparel on the ride out to my fishing spot but that changes quickly once I stop moving.  What works while riding will leave me cold while fishing.  This is why I bring extra clothing and boots, especially on colder days or if there is wind.  In my sled or backpack I'll have a pair of waterproof gloves and a mid-layer or two to give me some extra insulation while tending to my lines.  I also keep a hand towel close by to dry my hands after handling bait and fish.  Having the extra clothing really helps extend the amount of time I can spend out on the ice before getting cold and heading back.

Methods


The type of fish I wanted to catch, length of time I would spend on the ice, amount of gear needed and ice/snow conditions would be the main factors that would determine which method I would use to roll out onto the ice.  I came up with three ways that worked well for what I wanted to accomplish.


Backpack-style
For short trips or when I wanted to travel light and get in a ride, I would go backpack-style. I use a Banjo Brothers Large Commuter Backpack because it's the perfect size to fit all the gear I need, including my auger.  This setup was perfect for getting in a little morning bite before work or a 12 mile bike ride with some fishing at potential hotspots along the way.


Sled-style
Early in the season there isn't as much snow cover so pulling a sled is my first choice when not traveling light.  I purchased a tub-style sled from a hardware store (a small ice fishing sled such as a Shappell Jet Sled Jr. will also work) and equipped it with the necessary hardware to pull it behind my bike.  The sled was small enough so it was lightweight but large enough to carry my fishing gear, bait bucket and extra clothing.  With this setup I am able to move around the lake easily to find where the fish are biting.


Smitty sled-style
When hauling heavier gear or rolling deeper snow cover I strap my sled to a Smitty Sled I made with some scrap lumber, a pair of old downhill skis I got for $7 at Savers and some hardware to put it all together.  The Smitty Sled makes it much easier to pull my gear out onto the lake than just a sled alone.  It was pretty simple to make and there are a ton of pictures and plans online for making your own.

Tips & Tricks


Getting around on the lakes early in the season is pretty easy due to light or non-existent snow cover but studded tires are a must.  As the season moves on and snow cover is deeper and a little packed one can get by pretty easily without studs.


Anyone who has ridden a fatbike in deep snow knows how tough it can be.  As the ice fishing season rolls on snow cover on lakes can make it a little more challenging.  To keep moving fast and easy I opt to follow the ice roads and snowmobile trails made by other fisherman.  These roads and trails tend to be more hard packed and usually lead to some good fishing spots too.


For some shelter from the wind while fishing, a portable flip-over ice shelter like the Clam Fish Trap can be used.  I wanted something a little more lightweight and portable so I constructed a frame from 3/4" pvc pipe that was bolted onto the sled and could be assembled in minutes.  A medium weight plastic tarp could then be draped over it and secured with spring clamps.  Now I had an effective windbreak that would allow me to fish longer before feeling winter's chill.  Using a bucket or milk crate in the sled to sit on, I was ready to fish.

Fishing Apps

Ice Report
I put my smartphone (Android) to work during the season using a couple of apps that are well known among ice fishermen.  The first is a free app called Ice Report and is available for IOS and Android.  I don't like going out on the lakes until there is at least 4 inches or more of ice and Ice Report was very useful during the early season.  I could get ice thickness reports from other fishermen that were out there in the last day or two.  On the bike I could cover a lot of distance on the lake so I fished multiple areas and uploaded my own reports for other fishermen.



Boating HD by Navionics
The second app is Boating HD Marine & Lakes by Navionics and is available for both IOS and Android. It is a free app download that comes with basic features and a two-week trial of the subscription to check out all the maps including Nautical Chart, Sonar Chart, Chart Updates and Community Edits from millions of Boating HD app users.  I played around with the app during this trial period and liked it so much that I purchased a 1-year subscription of their "USA" map for $14.99.

The app was extremely useful for finding the depth contours of lakes to get to the spots I knew would contain fish.  It would tell me the approximate depth of the water before even drilling a hole in the ice.  I could plot my tracks and add waypoints but the feature I used most was adding markers for fishing hotspots and potential areas that I could come back to later and check out.  The app was definitely a big help out on the ice and I plan on continuing to use it for some shoreline bikefishing during the rest of the year.

Ice Safety


Ice safety is a priority when I roll out onto any lake.  This is why I carry a pair of ice picks worn on my shoulders in the event I go through the ice.  With these I will be able to pull myself out of the water much easier than without.  I always let someone know where I am going and when I expect to be done, just in case.  A keen eye on the ice as I ride out helps me avoid pressure ridges and water flows where ice thickness may be questionable.

In Conclusion

I had a lot of fun ice fishing by fatbike this winter.  I was able to move quickly around on the lakes to find where the fish were biting while carrying all my gear.  I did get a lot of strange looks from ice fishermen and spoke with a few others that thought it was a really great idea that they would consider doing themselves.  If you already have a fatbike it's just a matter of getting a little bit of ice fishing gear and you're ready to go.

This article was written after the ice fishing season so getting out there now isn't an option but I recommend entertaining the idea next winter.  I learned a lot during my first season trying this and wanted to share it with others and who knows, maybe we'll see a lot more fatbikes out on the ice in the future.

3/07/2019

Facebook Groups To Motivate You To Bike More In 2019


One of my goals for 2019 is to bike more than I have done in previous years.  I've stocked up on the necessary gear and apparel for the upcoming warm weather riding season as well as those chilly shoulder season before and after winter (got the winter thing covered).

Social media has been an inspiration for me to explore different cycling disciplines, ride places I've never been and learn new things.  Over the past few years I've put together several Facebook groups to help cyclists of all levels connect with others that share their interests.  In this article I will introduce them to you so that you may also #bikemorein2019.


MN Fatbike Enthusiasts is a group for anyone that finds joy in riding fatbikes anytime and anywhere. It doesn't matter if you're a beginner or you've been rolling fat a long time, this group will teach you something and let you share what you know with others.  MN Fatbike Enthusiasts is a public* group with over 750 members.

Group created: October 1, 2015

Description
This public group is a resource for anyone that enjoys riding fat no matter what the season. You don't have to be from Minnesota to be in the group, but keep the discussion related to fatbike riding in Minnesota in regards to events, trails, trail conditions and news. This group is a place to share your ride photos, fatbike leans, bring fatbike events (in MN) to the group's attention, discuss equipment, bikes or fatbike Q&A. Please do not post group rides here, that is what the MN Fatbike Group Rides Facebook Group (https://www.facebook.com/groups/MNFatbikeGroupRides) is for. Also, please refrain from posting "For Sale" items, there are plenty of groups on Facebook for that.



Gravel is big in Minnesota and we have thousands of miles of it to explore.  MN Gravel Enthusiasts helps bring together cyclists that share a love of taking the road less traveled.  With over 1,700 members ranging from newbies to seasoned veterans, this public* group is the place to talk Minnesota gravel.

Group created: January 9, 2015

Description
This public group is a resource for anyone looking to ride gravel, share gravel routes, post group rides or events (races, rides, etc.), discuss equipment or gravel Q&A. This is a Minnesota specific group, so please keep posts Minnesota gravel related. If sharing gravel road routes, please use the following formats:
GPX files, TCX files, Strava, Mapmyride, RideWithGPS, Runtastic, Garmin Connect, Endomondo or Gravelmap.com links. 


Got a fatbike and you're looking for others to ride with? MN Fatbike Group Rides is the group you want to join.  It's a place where you can find fatbike rides all over the state or post up your own rides and meet some new friends out on the trail.  MN Fatbike Group Rides is a public* group with over 1,500 members.

Group created: October 31, 2014

Description
After some content deviation from the original intent of this group, the admins and I have drawn up the MN Fatbike Group Rides code/conduct policy. The policy is as follows:

- Posts should be about a group ride you are planning or soliciting interest for.
- Be clear about the time, mileage drop/no-drop and pace of the ride. 
- Attending a group ride that is not mentioned in this group? Post it.
- Please include links to more information about the group ride if available (MORC Forum, etc.)
- Please put post-ride photos/video in the comment section of that listed ride, not as a new post.
- Please refer fatbike related questions/comments to Facebook groups dedicated to that kind of discussion.

Thank you for your cooperation.

Original Group Description:

I created this group to make it easy for my fatbike friends and their friends to get together by posting their own group rides. Minnesota has a lot of fatbikers with riding schedules that may not include the weekends. This is a place where they can organize their own rides with friends and new acquaintances any day of the week. My work schedule keeps me from joining in on Saturday group rides but I'm available on Sundays and Mondays. Others of you may have other availability, that's why I created this group. Are you looking for some Tuesday afternoon ride partners at Murphy or Thursday night ride companions at Elm Creek? This group is designed to get fatbikers together for rides that fit their schedules. I miss out on so many fatbike group rides because of my work schedule that I wanted to create a Facebook group that was open to the public and would allow other members, not just those with weekends off to connect and ride together. Invite your friends and let's ride fatbikes together.


MN Group Bike Rides was created to bring Minnesota cyclists of all disciplines together for group rides whether you're a roadie, mountain biker, gravel crusher or trail rider.  Join in on rides, post up your own or share that weekly shop ride you enjoy.  MN Group Bike Rides is a public* group with over 1,000 members.

Group created: March 11, 2015

Description
This group is intended to bring cyclists in Minnesota together for group rides by providing a place to post them.

- Posts should be about a group ride you are planning or soliciting interest for. These can be Road, Off-Road, Gravel or MTB.
- Be clear about the time, mileage drop/no-drop and pace of the ride.
- Attending a group ride that is not mentioned in this group? Post it.
- Please include links to more information about the group ride if available (MORC Forum, etc.)
- Please put post-ride photos/video in the comment section of that listed ride, not as a new post.
- Please refer bike related questions/comments to Facebook groups dedicated to that kind of discussion.


MN Mountain Bike Enthusiasts is for all those that love mountain biking in Minnesota.  Use this group as a place to discuss all things mountain biking whether it be Q&A, recommendations or just showing off pictures of your bike out on the trail.  MN Mountain Bike Enthusiasts is a public* group with over 400 members.

Group created: February 26, 2016

Description
This group is a resource for anyone that enjoys mountain biking no matter what the season.  You don't have to be from Minnesota to be in the group, but keep the discussion related to mountain biking in Minnesota in regards to events, trails, trail conditions and news.  This group is a place to share your ride photos, MTB leans, bring MTB events (in MN) to the group's attention, discuss equipment, bikes or MTB Q&A.  Please do not post group rides here, that is what the MN Group Bike Rides Facebook Group (https://www.facebook.com/groups/MNGroupBikeRides/) and MN Fatbike Group Rides Facebook Group (https://www.facebook.com/groups/MNFatbikeGroupRides/) are for.  Also, please refrain from posting "For Sale" items, there are plenty of groups on Facebook for that. 


Are you thinking about riding down at the MN River Bottoms in Bloomington and Eagan but aren't sure about the condition of the trails or which areas may be under water?  Check the MN River Bottoms Ride Report Facebook group for the latest ride stories, photos and recommendations from those that have been riding down there.  After your own visit to the river bottoms post up and tell others about your experience.  MN River Bottoms Ride Report is a public* group with over 1,300 members.

Group created: November 15, 2016

Description
This group was designed to allow members to post their ride stories for the Minnesota River Bottoms trail network in a real time, easy to use format. Post up your experiences on the MN River Bottoms Trail in the Minnesota Valley National Wildlife Refuge, Fort Snelling State Park and the Bloomington side of the river, as well as areas further west. Posts can include the area you rode, your story with pictures, tips and recommendations for other users of the trails. 


Sport-Utility Fatbikers is a group I created this winter for fatbikers that use their bikes as sport-utility vehicles for a variety of different activities.  I wanted to explore some other adventures with my fatbike other than just riding singletrack in 2019.  Some of these include bikecamping/packing, fishing and hunting.  A fatbike is the perfect human-powered vehicle for these tasks and this is the group to share those ideas and inspire others.  Sport-Utility Fatbikers is a closed** group with over 70 members.

Group created: December 12, 2018

Description
This group is a resource for anyone that uses their fatbike for hunting, fishing, bikepacking, bikecamping, fatbike bikejoring, winter commuting or adventure riding.

Members should use this group as a forum to exchange ideas, ask questions, get answers and encourage other fatbikers to try something new and different. Share your utility fatbike ride photos, leans, discuss equipment, rigs and bike setups.


Please do not post group rides here, that is what the MN Fatbike Group Rides Facebook Group (https://www.facebook.com/groups/MNFatbikeGroupRides) is for. Also, please refrain from posting "For Sale" items, there are plenty of groups on Facebook for that.


Last summer I began riding my bike to work a lot more and found bike commuting was way more fun than going by car.  I couldn't wait for work to be over so I could jump on my bike and take the long way home.  The idea to start the Twin Cities Bike Commuters Facebook group came out of these commutes. This group would provide a forum for discussions about safety, gear and Q&A for beginners as well as veteran bike commuters in the Twin Cities metro area.  Twin Cities Bike Commuters is a public* group with over 160 members.

Group created: July 29, 2018

Description
This public group is a resource for Twin Cities bike commuters to share routes, tips, ask and answer questions, provide updates on trail/road conditions and to be a forum for those looking to go by bike to work instead of driving a car. 


One of my favorite styles of mountain biking is to venture off the trail and find my line on various types of terrain, otherwise known as bushwhacking.  When the question was posed by a couple of my friends on the MN River Bottoms Ride Report group asking why there were no fatbike bushwhacking Facebook groups, I sprang into action and created MN Fatbike Bushwhackers.  I thought only myself and a small number of others enjoyed this style of riding but it turns out to be quite popular among more adventurous fatbikers looking to do some exploring.  MN Fatbike Bushwhackers is closed** group with over 85 members.

Group created: January 13, 2019

Description
MN Fatbike Bushwhackers is for any fatbiker that ventures off the beaten path to explore nature where there are no trails.  Whether you like to ride woods, beaches, ice or areas where you probably won't see other people, this group is for you. 

Discussions about setups, gear, techniques and places of interest to ride can be shared in this group.  Post up your leans, ride photos and descriptions about the cool places no one else is riding.


Group rides can be posted in this group as long as they are bushwhacking in nature. All others should be posted in their appropriate groups. 


Are you interested in riding some new gravel or have a great route you want to share with other gravel enthusiasts in Minnesota?  The MN Gravel Route Share Facebook group is looking for members like you.  MN Gravel Route Share is a public* group with nearly 400 members.

Group created: July 29, 2018

Description
This public group is a resource for anyone looking to share or find gravel cycling routes ONLY. This is a Minnesota specific group, so please post routes that include Minnesota gravel roads. Neighboring states are ok as long as part of the route is in Minnesota.

When sharing gravel routes, please use the following formats:


GPX files, TCX files, Strava, Garmin Connect, Mapmyride, RideWithGPS, Runtastic, Endomondo or Gravelmap.com route links. 


Twin Cities Mountain Bike Ride Report is a Facebook group similar to the MN River Bottoms Ride Report.  Members can post up information about their rides with pictures and recommendations for singletrack trails in the Twin Cities area.  Twin Cities Mountain Bike Ride Report is a public* group with over 70 members.

Group created: July 29, 2018

Description
This group was designed to allow members to post their ride stories for singletrack trails in the Twin Cities area in a real time, easy to use format. Post up your experiences from any of the trails in the metro. Posts can include the place you rode, your story with pictures, tips and recommendations for other users of the trails.

If you want to post up your ride report for the MN River Bottoms, there is a specific group for that, the MN River Bottoms Ride Report. https://www.facebook.com/groups/MNRiverBottomsRideReport/ 


Social media has really brought together the bike community as a whole and Facebook groups help riders of all abilities join in on the discussion, learn some new things and make new friends.  Explore these groups to see which ones are right for you and join one or several today.

*Anyone can see the group’s name, location, member list, and posts, and the group can show up in anyone’s searches or News Feed.

**A Closed group’s name, description, and member list are not at all “closed,” but are publicly visible. Closed groups may even show up in a search publicly. Overall, they are just as open as Public groups, except for three main differences: (1) new members must ask to join or be invited by a member, rather than just adding themselves; (2) only current members can see the content of group posts; and (3) only current members can see the group in their News Feed. - Source: Electronic Frontier Foundation
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