Just because summer is over doesn't mean you have to give up on your favorite hobby until next year. Ice fishing is very much an option, even if it does require slightly different preparation when compared to the traditional, warm-weather approach. The first step, however, is relatively simple. You need to find a good spot. A frozen lake is the best option. Are there any close to where you live? If you're not sure, you need to check using ArcGIS Explorer. This app will provide you with all the info you need to find the perfect location.

After you've decided on the lake, it's also essential to assess the situation. You don't want to start your adventure just when the ice begins to melt. This could, after all, lead to a very unpleasant experience. Plan carefully. The temperature and overall conditions will be pretty different, depending on whether you're in Wisconsin or the northern half of Canada. If it's too warm, reschedule your outing. Too cold, you may need to build an ice shanty. Either way, this is the sort of hobby where good preparation is critical.

Once you get there - with all your hooks and spears and the little secrets to success you've accumulated along the way - the fun begins. This, however, doesn't mean that ice fishing is straightforward. Quite the contrary - it can be a true challenge. Resorting to some tricks is ideally permitted, and having a sonar is one of them. Sounds a bit expensive? It doesn't have to be. In fact, with the right app, you can connect your smartphone to an affordable device of this type and turn your screen into a sonar display. Try Fish Deeper, and you'll see. It's a futuristic feat that will make your adventure so much more enjoyable - and help you get some delicious fish on your dinner table.