Minimum to take if you are just 'tagging along':

• Fishing rods-with large guides, a sensitive tip, with some 'backbone'.
• Reels- Micro-spinning reel
• Line- 4-8 lb test ice-line
• Bait: crappie minnows, wax worms, fatheads,  etc...
• A 5 gallon bucket (to sit on)
• Hand warmers
• Needle nose pliers
• Fishing License
• Proper Identification
• A compass
• Bobber stops with beads
• An assortment of split-shot
• Ice fishing bobbers
• Fingernail clipper (to cut line)
• Ice scoop
• First Aid kit
• Jigs and spoons and hooks...etc.

Ice fishing equipment if going alone:

• Ice auger
• Sled for auger or vehicle if the ice is thick enough.
• Mouth spreader
• Hook sharpener
• Bait bucket
• Small shovel-collapsable if possible
• Ice picks-could be a lifesaver!

Preferred ice fishing equipment:

• Vexilar/Fish Finder
• Ice Fishing Shelter
• Propane heater
• Spud bar (for checking ice thickness)
• Camera (disposable works best)
• Ice cleats
• Ice Anchoring System
• Small flashlight. (I prefer one that you wear)
• Lantern
• Matches or Lighter (for propane heater)
• Tip-ups-preferably the freeze-free type
• Leaders for tip-ups
• Quickstrike rigs for tip-ups
• Bait for tip-ups-herring, smelt sardines, etc.
• Cell-phone
• GPS
• "Glow-buster" glo-jig light. (They are new this year and pretty cool!)

Luxury Ice Fishing Equipment:

• Underwater camera
• Two-way radios to talk to your buddies
• Ice Fishing House
• Strike sensors for tip-ups

Optional Ice Fishing odds and ends:

• Food
• Drinks
• Hand Towel
• Gaff- to remove large fish
• Sunglasses

If you take kids:

• Extra gloves
• Tissues (those noses run all the time!)
• Lot's of snacks
• A small sled to entertain them