Ice Fishing??? (Walpole, Ashland, Hopkinton: rental, gated, live in)

[haberstroh]

So this is a first: My brother-in-law from FL will be visiting over the coming cold weekend. My husband and him would like to go ice-fishing but have never done it before and we don't have any equipment. We live in Walpole and the Bass Pro Shop is just down the road.
Is there any tours they could go on? What about rental equipment? What do you need? Can you rent somebodies hut/shack? Any help (slight ribbing included) would be appreciated...

[mommytotwo]

First off, make sure it is safe for ice fishing.

I haven't noticed anyone out on the ice yet this year, however I don't really pass too many bodies of water where people ice fish.

I am no expert by a long shot (I'm actually chuckling as I type this), but I remember from going ice fishing w/my dad, the standard equipment was something to drill the hole with, and tip ups to put into the hole. Don't know if those come with the line on them already. They'll need bait too.

Duh! Sorry, I know I am not much of a help here, only pointing out the obvious, LOL!

My DH is laughing his ass of at me right now...... I told him I already said I'm no ice fishing expert, and hey, what the hell, one answer is better than no answer, right? LOL......

ps. I never fished from a shack. my dad always drove right out onto the ice, and we basically tailgated. Fun, fun, fun.

[haberstroh]

Yes I am laughing too...thanks mommy for the fast answer....that way the thread stays on top.
So I read a little about ice fishing and you can get all serious about it. But I like what you wrote and it seems very uncomplicated. They only want to do it for the fun part anyway, doubt they would catch anything, never the less me cooking one unidentifiable little fish ;-)
I have seen people on some local ponds though.

[TomDot]

Look for your nearest bait and tackle store, go in and they can get you started pretty easily. You need a fishing license.

[scarletfire]

I don't know if this would be too far for the guys but I believe that Lunkers in Ashland rents augers and other ice fishing gear. I know that people ice fish on Lake Maspenock in nearby Hopkinton but the guys at Lunkers might be able to tell you of closer places (and perhaps some that are a bit more peaceful, as there are plenty of snowmobiles at Maspenock).

A note of caution though - I would certainly not eat fish caught in Ashland. There are health notices posted against it.

[paul the fisherman]

you can get reports on new england sportsman website,they have current data on local ponds and all kinds of helpful info for you. google icefishingmassachusetts and there will be links to them.