THE GREAT OUTDOORS — To say Shana Yonemura enjoys dropping a jig in the icy water is like saying the Sundance Film Festival is a quaint little get-together among friends.

Yonemura has been fishing since she was a child in Kansas and she has been situated on the frozen lake ever since. During the week, she is the marketing director for Dunn Associates, Inc. But on most weekends, Yonemura is off to Strawberry Reservoir to ice fish.

While the weather is still a little too warm in most areas around the state to do any ice fishing, it's a good time to plan ahead for the season. Before you head out on to the ice, make sure that you are prepared and safe. Here are some safety tips for understanding ice conditions.

Here are five things that Yonemura makes sure she packs for every outing:

1. License

Don’t forget your fishing license. According to the Division of Wildlife Resources, everyone 12 and older must have a fishing license, and it’s enforced all year long. So you can try to hide from the law on a frozen lake or you can be sure you have a current license and avoid expensive fines.

2. Shovel

A shovel carries a lot of value during fishing. Any time there is a lot of snow, a trusty shovel can get you to the lake’s surface, dig out a swamped snowmobile, help you build up a barrier against the wind, etc. Don’t leave home without one.

3. Ice Scoop

Along with an auger, an ice scoop is an obvious addition to your packing list. Whether you choose metal or plastic is entirely up to you, just so long as it is affordable. You will likely lose one to the frozen lakes at least once in your ice fishing career.

4. Shelter, tent and a comfy chair

While many people are perfectly content sitting on a 5-gallon bucket or camp chair, Yonemura prefers her tent.

“It protects me from the wind, and it makes it easier to see what the fish are doing below the surface,” she said. “And it extends the amount of time I can spend on the lake, which is a definite plus.”

Depending on the location, shelters can range from simple awnings to rooms rivaling a small hotel room. It all depends on the ice conditions and what you are willing to haul out when finished.

5. Propane heater

Whether or not you want to provide added comfort to the experience is also a personal preference. But a propane heater can extend your season by allowing you to start earlier.

Bait

The matter of finding out what fish are biting is another well-kept secret in the ice fishing community. Yonemura said she typically uses cut bait, night crawlers, mealworm or brine shrimp. And all of these bait varieties are easy to find at sports stores and even some grocery stores.

Catch and release

It is important to do your research and know about the location’s catch and release regulations since the fish size for release and the catch limit vary per lake.

What to know on your first day

As a long-term ice fisher, Yonemura recognizes the regulars who show up week after week, but how can she tell who’s trying out ice fishing for the first time? She said there are two mistakes rookies typically make.

“First, they fill in their ice holes,” she said. “I know people think they are doing the right thing, like replacing a divot in golf, but filling in holes creates a hazard for people walking through the area.”

The second mistake is people not anchoring their shelter.

“I’ve watched my share of people chase their tents or chairs across the lake,” she said. “It gets pretty windy out here.”

For more information on ice fishing regulations and current conditions, please visit the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources website.

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