Last weekend was our town’s annual Ice Fishing Derby. We’ve had some warm periods this winter. People were a bit nervous about the thickness of the ice. I think that was the reason there were fewer of those little huts called “bob-houses”. Few of the people who arrived early drove their cars or trucks onto the ice. Once it was discovered that the ice was eleven inches (28cm) thick, some of the later arrivals opted to drive out there. Personally, I prefer parking the car on land and taking a nice stroll out on the ice. I was fortunate to be there when a few people caught fish. Catching is way more exciting than fishing. Each person can set up to six lines using a rig that sends up a flag whenever a fish takes the bait. That’s the reason the two boys are running in one image; they had a flag up. The result was the nice bass you see the boy holding in the next photo.
Milford Street 
I love the little ice huts but that’s just tooooo cold for me!
Those huts are typically heated. Even a small wood stove keeps it very toasty. Some people spend the night in them.
That ice must be VERY thick then.
Great photos! They really convey the experience the fishers are having. One of our neighbors was getting ready to go ice fishing the other day, and he told my husband that his group always sends the 300+ pound fellow out on the ice first. If he doesn’t plunge into the icy depths, then the others will follow.
Thnak you, Liz. Your neighbor is a smart fellow.
😀
I love seeing ice huts! I don’t believe our Lake in Edinboro froze enough for ice huts this year.
Glad it was fun for all!
Thank you, Nancy. There have been a lot of problems with ice not getting thick enough. I wanted to go an take photos on an ice runway on a lake here in NH, but it never opened due to warm weather.
That’s a nice fish in the last photo (21). Do you know what kind it is?
I believe it is a large mouth bass. He was obviously very proud.
I love that it’s a family thing and the kids seem to enjoy it very much too 🙂 I remember this series, Chris, so happy you keep documenting it every year!!
You’re so right, Alex, it is a real family event. It is one of my favorite events to try to capture.
That’s a nice bass! I grew up at a big lake. Love fishing. 🙂
It was a nice fish. I used to fish but fell out of doing it after college.
How fun! I think I would prefer to park on land and walk on the ice too, Chris!
You’re a wise woman. 😉
I’m sure kids loved the ice fishing. Parking on land seems to be a safe way to have fun. 🙂
Those boys were having a great time. Parking on land seems sane to me!
Great images Chris..👍⚘
Thank you so much, Sohair. Cheers!
Welcome dear friend 😊
This is a great gallery of photos, they tell a really interesting story.
Thank you very much.
How cool….love these pictures. Looks like so much fun!!
Thank you so much, Kirt. People have a great time here and it’s one of my favorite shoots each year.
The joy of the young boy and his fish…I always love these experiences…haven’t seen any this year…so it is fun to see your post Chris…hoping your days are treating you well…smiles and hugs from Alberta ☺️💫🤓 Hedy
Thank you, Hedy. Life is good here.
I love fishing. Always wanted to try ice fishing. Looks like fun!
There’s probably not much ice fishing around NOLA. It’s a fun community event.
Uhhh, no. We haven’t even had a freeze yet this year. Lowest it’s gotten has been about 40 degrees.
Wonderful series of shots, Chris! I can imagine the excitement that grasps hold of everyone when the flags are up and signalling that there’s a catch! Like you though I wouldn’t dare park on the ice. 😉
It seems crazy driving out there but people do it. There’s hardly any ice now.