Want to go ice fishing? Here's what you need to know. Check ice thickness and clarity with a spud bar before venturing out very far on the ice. Pack ice picks, an ice fishing rod, a sturdy 5-gallon bucket and an ice auger. Use tungsten jigs, which are made of strong, heavy metal and sink faster. Fish with lures like bloodworms and small insects to match what the fish are eating. Wear warm, waterproof footwear with ice cleats. Dress in warm layers, and wear a U.S. Coast Guard-approved life jacket