Preregistration opens this Friday, Dec. 9 at 7 p.m. for the “Women’s Intro to Ice Fishing” program for adult women as well as girls and young women,12 and older and for the “Intro to Ice Fishing” program for any adult and youth ages 12 and up in January of 2023 by the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission in partnership with Wellsboro Tackle Shack. Slots will fill up fast based on what has happened in years past.

All of the programs are free and include both a required virtual session and an on-ice session.

For the virtual session, participants, from the comfort of their own homes and using their own computers, will join instructors online to begin their ice fishing journey. This session will introduce participants to ice fishing equipment, ice safety, baits, lures, layering, planning a trip, ice fishing locations and important details about the on-ice session of the program.

The on-ice session will be at Nessmuk Lake, Wellsboro, PA 16901. It includes a brief review of information from the virtual session, skills instruction and hands-on ice fishing. Participants will learn more about ice augers, shelters, heaters and techniques. This session also includes a fish filleting and cooking demonstration. Samples will be available.

A fishing license is not required.

PFBC instructors will not only provide free instruction, both virtually and in-person, but also ice fishing gear and bait for the on-ice session. Participants will also have a chance to win random door prizes provided by Wellsboro Tackle Shack.

To preregister for one of these programs go to www.fishandboat.com “Calendar of Events” or to www.register-ed.com/programs/pennsylvania/191-sport-fishing on Friday, Dec. 9.

Thefour dates and times the on-ice session of the Women’s Intro to Ice Fishing Program are being offered are: Friday, Jan. 13, 2023 at 1 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.; Saturday, Jan. 14, 2023 at 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.; or Saturday, Jan. 21, 2023 at 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.; or at 1 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. Select only one.

The three dates and times the on-ice session of the Intro to Ice Fishing Program are being offered are: Saturday, Jan. 14, 2023 at 1 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.; Sunday, Jan. 15, 2023 at 11 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. or Sunday, Jan. 22, 2023 at 11 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Select only one.

Participants who register for one on-ice session will automatically be registered for the virtual session, which is being held on one day only, Wednesday, Jan. 11, 2023, from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Once registered, participants will receive a confirmation email with the date and time of the virtual program as a reminder. The virtual session link will be sent to registrants one week in advance.