When your feet get cold, your day on the ice is done. If you want to extend your day so you have time to catch more fish, use these simple tricks to keep your feet warm. First of all, in general, dress like it’s 15 degrees colder than actual temperature, from head to toe. You can always take off too much clothes but it’s hard to add clothes you don’t have. Remember, you are standing on a three foot thick block of ice. If the wind is also blowing, that bites through you quick. So try these tips for warm feet.
- Double up socks and wear good boots. Just because you can wear a pair of shoes for the walk to the mail box, don’t think these will stand the test of hours on the cold lake. Get good quality thermal socks and double them up if you can fit them in your boots.
- Wear your cold water waders. If you think having your lower body wrapped in insulation is a good thing when standing in a flowing stream, take that out on the hardwater and you may never go back.
- Put hot shots under your feet. These are the little heater packs that give off heat for about 4 hours. They may make it more uncomfortable to walk, but if your toes are warmer, that’s a good trade.
- Use a 2 x 6 block of wood, under your feet. Place this between your feet and the ice when you are sitting on your bucket or chair and it will act as an insulating barrier. Cut a piece just short enough that it will fit in your ice fishing bucket and bring it with you.
- Plastic bag your feet. This old trick has been used to keep feet dry for decades. It also keep them warm by not letting heat escape.
Keep your feet warm. Fish longer!