Ice fishing event Saturday at Hauser Lake

The weather has been somewhat milder than normal this winter in North Idaho.

But the short days and gray skies make it seem like winter has been unduly long.

There is no way to hurry spring along. But one way to deal with winter and cast off the winter doldrums (cabin fever) is to get outside and do something fun.

Skiing is expensive for a family outing. So is renting or owning snowmobiles. Sledding is fun and cheap but you need snow that we do not have now in the lower elevations where most of us live.

Fishing is always fun, and all you need is a little equipment and a fishing license (if you are 14 or older). But the lakes are all frozen. Now that is a thought ...

This weekend, you can go ice fishing with equipment loaned to you from the Idaho Department of Fish and Game. And you do not need a fishing license if you head to Hauser Lake on Saturday, Feb. 1, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. and sign in at the IDFG "Take Me Fishing" trailer.

IDFG will be there with ice fishing gear and bait that can be checked out for free during the event. IDFG employees, Cabela's employees and volunteers will use ice augers to drill holes for everyone participating. Experienced anglers will help you learn how to ice fish.

Kootenai County Parks and Waterways will have the parking lot and restroom facilities ready.

There will be free hot dogs and hot chocolate served starting at noon and continuing while supplies last.

Ice fishing equipment will be checked out on a first-come, first-served basis. If you own ice fishing gear, it would be helpful for you to bring your own.

At the last event, there was a short wait for equipment for some people when everything in the IDFG fishing trailer had been checked out.

If you plan to come, wear warm clothes, gloves and waterproof boots. Because the ice can be very slippery, particularly if there is any water on top of the ice, wearing ice grippers is recommended.

Participants will not need a license to fish during the hours of the event if they sign in at the fish trailer. However, all other rules such as size limits and species limits apply.

Idaho children 13 years old and younger can always fish for free. These events give their parents, older siblings and friends the opportunity to try ice fishing without first purchasing a license or equipment.

Getting kids excited about fishing will help build a new generation of anglers.

Phil Cooper is a wildlife conservation educator with the Idaho Department of Fish and Game.