Kids and ice fishing

[JECAMERON]

Looking for some insight from you folks that may or may not have experience with this.
At what age should a kid be before he's ready for an ice fishing adventure?
I wasn't able to ice fish at all last year due to my singe parent/ super daddy status. My older son is approaching 3 here so I was thinking about trying to hit the lake with him this winter. I've brought him fishing in the boat a few times and he shows a general interest towards fishing. Last winter we spent quite a bit of time hiking through the snow and he's always been a trooper. Its seeming like a good possibility we could have a real good time. Am I overlooking any obvious reasons why I shouldn't? Any advise, past experiences etc. would be appreciated.

[DDSBYDAY]

   Three is a perfect age.  Started my boys at three.  Bundle them up good so they stay warm and bring a nerf football or something for them to play with if the fishing is slow.  Try to go to a spot were your chances at bluegills are good.  Most important is keep the trips fairly short.  I usually was the one  that would have to tell the boys it was time to go.  I can't ever remember it being the other way around.   Good luck.   When you get ready to go out this winter send me a  pm and I might be able to help you with a spot to try.   

[dakids]

He won't fit through a hole.  Time to start.
1.Bring lots of snacks.
2.Put the first fish in a bucket of water to keep it alive so the kids can play with it.
3.NAME the lake and spot.  (long drive lake, black dog lake, 1 fish lake) Mistery fish island, bullhead bay ect.
4. Stay warm.
5. Try to use a house that is perminate and already to go.  Kids hate to wait to fish.
6. don't fish yourself.  2lines and there both his. set the hook and hand him the rod.
7.  Take a lot of pics.
Good luck and post the pics.

[BiggA]

I would say he is ready if you are. I was and still am a little nervous bringing my kids ice fishing just because it is never truly "safe". If the ice breaks you have to worry about gettin the kids out then yourself. With that said though I do bring my kids just not early or late ice you cant live life being scared all the time right.
As said above bring snacks and let the kid do the fishing!

[Brian]

Kids are ready when you are.  Just like any other activity, they just want your attention. The other day my 6yr old asked when we can go ice fishing.  Lets just say that made me happy.  3 is a good age.  You just need snacks and plan your trip to be shorter than normal, so check out local lakes where you can catch lots of fish at to keep their interest. Best of luck

[doomanmxz99]

My son was 3 last year and he was ready but also make sure to make it fun. Let him fish and you watch .I also let him pick the spot. Drive to an area that you know that will have fish and the size for now dont matter then let him pick where to fish,it will make him feel like one of the big boys. Also lots of snacks is a good thing. I also played with him out on the when it slowed down for a while then we went back at it. He only lasted 2 1/2hrs but after that he has the bug. He has wanting to know when we can go already.

[JECAMERON]

Thanks for the insight fellas. I mentioned it to him a little while back and he's been talking about it quite a bit. I imagine he'll do pretty well but I'll definitely be posting pictures once we make it out and let everyone know how it went.

[FireRanger]

Both my girls had their first outing on the ice at around 2 1/2 or 3. They both love it. I have made it all about them but now I do prepare myself for that change of mind five minutes after getting their with the dvd's and snacks and so on. They're little minds are fickle and there is nothing like getting there and then having to drive back after one changes their mind. Keep them excited and busy and make it fun...they'll want to go again and again. My .02.