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Picture this: It’s blistering cold in the dead of winter. You’re out on your snowmobile at the crack of dawn with a sliver of moonlight guiding you toward your destination. The tundra groans in agony as the ice heaves above the frozen lake. Bundled up in your Gore-Tex and fleece, waterproof boots, and thick gloves, you know it will be a grueling morning of fishing.
Ice fishing is never easy. Finding the ideal spot takes experience and plenty of savvy.
Once you find the perfect spot, drill, baby, drill.
As the ice cracks to accommodate the 8-inch wide hole, it’s time to settle in for the day and wait for the fish to start biting. Ice fishing is a much-loved pastime in the American Midwest, where anglers routinely congregate on the Great Lakes of Michigan, Illinois, and Wisconsin, et al. A massive industry, the ice fishing season draws thousands of fishermen every year.
Today, a vibrant culture has evolved from this vocation. Plenty of anglers are prepared to traverse great distances across unforgiving terrain in search of the perfect fishing ground. Granted, most of us only read about the exploits of these rough and tough fishermen, but some of us get to experience a lighthearted virtual equivalent of these great fishing expeditions.
A Virtual Fishing Fest on the Ice
The ice culture is alive and well in North America, with scores of enthusiasts eager to experience the frigid appeal of this winter season activity. Before rushing to splash out hundreds of dollars on thermal wear and fishing gear, it’s a good idea to whet your appetite for this type of activity.
National Geographic videos are a good place to start. But a more interactive and hands-on approach is evident with the Ice Lobster slot - a social casino gaming phenomenon. It's not gambling if you've got nothing to lose and everything to gain. That’s the real appeal of hooking winners in this social casino game.
Expertly designed by legendary game maker Pragmatic Play, Ice Lobster encapsulates the essence of ice fishing with stellar visuals and sublime animation.
Of course, it's far more complicated in subzero temperatures on several feet of ice in the dead of winter.
As a fisherman or outdoorsman, there's nothing quite like the appeal of ice fishing in the open. Often, there are dozens of fishermen on the ice. These folks are as tough as they get. After spending several days in blisteringly cold temperatures searching for the perfect catch, most of us would throw in the towel. Not these folks.
It's not always the Great Lakes where people congregate; many smaller lakes inland are equally attractive to ice fishermen. Despite the difficulties, the benefits are grand. However, global warming is impacting ice fishing in a big way.
Winters are staying colder for shorter periods of time and ice is melting a lot sooner than before. According to studies, the upper Midwest temperature has increased +/-1°F since 1951. But in Minnesota, that figure is +/-3°F since the 19th century.
Our Fascination with the Frozen Tundra
Over the years, the public’s interest in the frozen tundra has increased. We see evidence of this in the epic blockbusters coming out of Hollywood, California. Movies like Fargo, The Ice Road, The Lodge, and more recently Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire are doing the rounds. There is tremendous fascination with the foreboding nature of ice, cold, and isolation.
Whether it’s on a frozen lake, or a stretch of land covered with ice crystals, we are drawn to the unforgiving nature of the elements. Indeed, the crisp air crystallizing against our warm breath is the perfect juxtaposition of the elements.
But if the reality is a little too much to bear, there's always the virtual arena where we can simulate these conditions and enjoy them. That’s where movies, games, and articles come into play.
Typically, the icy season on the Great Lakes last several months, but the time is shortening. The portion of the Great Lakes’ surface that annually freezes has dropped off precipitously since 1974 by 71%. This, according to a report in National Geographic on ice fishing and the frozen landscape
Climate trends are clear and ice fishing is reeling in more fishermen in less time with shorter seasons than ever before. There’s no shame for folks who prefer to stay bundled up at home – that's what our PCs, Macs, and mobiles are there for!
