253 - Ice Fishing Tip-Ups, Moving Fish, and Avoiding Disaster with Matthew Crawford

Episode #253 - Ice Fishing Safety and Strategy: Tip-Ups, Moving Fish, and Avoiding Disaster with Matthew Crawford

In this episode, I sit down with Matthew Crawford, a passionate Wisconsin angler who has built a reputation for sharing real-world fishing knowledge, honest experiences, and practical ice fishing tactics.

Matthew walks me through how he went from casually fishing with family to becoming deeply committed to ice fishing during COVID, including the early mistakes that shaped how he fishes today. We talk about why movement is critical on the ice, how to use tip-ups more effectively, and how understanding fish behavior can turn slow days into successful ones.

We also dive into ice safety in a very real way. Matthew shares a firsthand experience of falling through early-season ice and what he learned from it. It’s a powerful reminder that ice fishing requires not fear, but respect, preparation, and caution.

This episode is packed with Wisconsin-specific insight, tactical advice for ice anglers, and lessons that apply whether you’re brand new to fishing or have been chasing fish for decades.

Links:

Timstamps:

00:00 Introduction to Matthew Crawford and His Fishing Journey
02:20 The Evolution of a Fishing Enthusiast
05:17 Exploring Wisconsin’s Fishing Hotspots
08:09 The Importance of Movement in Ice Fishing
10:50 Ice Safety Lessons Learned from Experience
17:29 The Reality of Ice Fishing Risks and Precautions
19:56 Understanding Tip-Ups for Northern Pike Fishing
26:13 Choosing the Right Hole Size for Ice Fishing
28:23 Strategies for Fishing New Bodies of Water
32:32 Techniques to Trigger Fish Strikes
37:43 Learning from Experience and Observation