How to Make Homemade Ice Fishing Rods

Photo by Greg Scratchley.

Looking to go ice fishing but you would rather craft your own makeshift ice fishing rod at home than buy an expensive one from a shop? This is very possible, and potentially quite easy. And to start, all you need is a good, firm tree branch.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderate

Things You’ll Need:

Tree branch Knife Scissors Fishing line Fishing hook
Tree branch
Knife
Scissors
Fishing line
Fishing hook

Step 1

Find a straight tree branch, then trim it. This means removing all protruding branches and twigs. You might need a knife to accomplish this. You'll want your branch to be roughly the size of a standard fishing rod and around the same height as its intended user. When it comes to ice fishing in particular, the fisherman typically holds the rod at a sharp downward angle, which can cause the wrist to become sore after a while. Consider, then, using a branch with a slight curve on the end to use as your handle--a curve which will allow you to grasp the branch without having to twist your wrist downward.

Step 2

Purchase fishing line and a fishing hook. Hooks come in all shapes and sizes, so consult with the salesperson about the types of fish you aim to catch in order to determine the appropriate size.

Step 3

Cut a piece of fishing line that is the same length as your fishing rod. Use the knife to cut a groove around the end of your rod, then tie one end of the fishing line to this grooved end, fitting the line tightly into the groove so it cannot slide.

Step 4

Tie the end of the fishing line to the hook.

Step 5

Attach some bait (for ice fishing, this may mean some sort of grub, or a shiner or minnow) and go fish.

Tips & Warnings

Fish hooks can be dangerous. Children attempting to make their own fishing rods should be supervised by an adult.

Resources

Family fun

Article Written By William Jackson

William Jackson has written, reported and edited professionally for more than 10 years. His work has been published in newspapers, magazines, scholarly journals, high-level government reports, books and online. He holds a master's degree in humanities from Pennsylvania State University.

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