Among serious fisherman, at least the ice fishing season, is the time to get serious about panfish.

Why fishermen get so excited about these small panfish might be in the prolific nature of these fish? The excitement is something that every kid is introduced to when venturing on the ice for the first time as well.

But the bottom line is that ice fishing for perch, bluegills and sunfish is great fun, with the additional reward of some larger fillets at the end of the day.

For many years, winter pan fishing was regarded as a very simple sport: Just grab your five gallon bucket, drill a hole where everyone else was fishing, drop a baited jig to the bottom and wait for a fish to bite. If the fish were on, everybody filled their buckets.

That might have been “the way” it used to be, but welcome to the new age of ice fishing. Today, to be successful you have to have a better understanding of the habits of pan fish. You will also have to have a better understanding of technology, new methods from cadence of your bait presentation to being as mobile on the ice as possible.

Where can an ice fisherman gain this knowledge and understanding about pan fishing? The answer is in the Internet and starting January 1, 2013 the Ice Team is offering a FREE membership. Ice Team is giving everyone the opportunity to take advantage of the online features of the Ice Team website at no charge!

The benefits of registering allow you to: Listen to the weekly audio reports from the Ice Team Pros. It also allows you to watch the latest Ice Team Internet TV shows as they are released. Currently, the one that is running is about the Ice Team fishing pan fish in North Dakota. With the membership you can read the latest issue of Ice Team Digital Magazine as it is released. Inclusive with this offer you will be automatically entered into the bi-weekly Ice Team Member Contest. You can also purchase Ice Team gear at a discount.

To sign-up for your FREE Ice Team membership, go to www.IceTeam.com and click on the red “Become A Member” link at the top of the page. Then fill out the information on that page and where it says “coupon code” you can use the code “iceteam2013” and you will be able to register for FREE!! (This free membership does not include the Welcome Kit and Perk Card). This code can be used as many times as you would like. So don’t delay tell your friends and spread the word and start receiving your Ice Team Member benefits today!

If you want even more hands on experience plan on attending the Ice Team University. What is the Ice Team University? This event is being held from March 15th-17th on beautiful Leech Lake in Walker, Minnesota. The Ice Team is a group of pros who have consistently lead the ice fishing industry in directions that continue to take it to new heights each year. The University is an event centered around your chance to have both on and off the ice instruction and give you an opportunity to experiment with cutting edge ice fishing technology throughout the event. This three day format consists of a schedule allowing for hands on instruction, informal discussions and plenty of time to set the hook.

How would you like a chance to drill a hole next to some of the greatest hard water anglers in the ice fishing world today?

We are talking about people who have pioneered ice fishing, as we know it today. Fishermen such as the legendary Dave Genz, Devils Lake guru Jason Mitchell, Mr. Vexilar Tom Zenanko, and the guys from The Next Bite TV; Gary Parsons, Pete Maina, and Keith Kavajecz are just a few who you could have the opportunity to share time on the ice with.

If you want the opportunity to come and fish with the likes of Dave Genz and Jason Mitchell, this is your chance! The Ice Team along with Clam Outdoors, Chase on the Lake, Reeds Sporting Goods, and a list of other sponsors have brought back the Ice Team University to beautiful Leech Lake, in Walker, Minnesota. Don’t miss out on this opportunity to fish Leech Lake during one of its peak ice fishing periods as well as have the opportunity to be guided and learn from the best in the ice fishing world today.

Besides the time on the ice making yourself a better fisherman, you will have the opportunity to experience one of the finest resorts in Central Minnesota in Chase on the Lake Resort in Walker, Minnesota. The Chase has exceptional rooms and everything to meet your needs while attending the University. Additionally, all of your meals are included with your fee, which is tough to beat because the 502 Restaurant has some of the finest food in the area. Besides the Chase, Reeds Sporting Goods is a sponsor for the event and is a block away from the front entrance to the Chase. In terms of the fishing, the middle of March can be one of the best times of the winter to be ice fishing for perch and panfish on Leech Lake. This could be your opportunity to put some serious pig perch, slab crappies, and bull bluegills on the ice.

For more information go online to http://www.iceteam.com/ice-team-university/ or contact the Ice Team at info@iceteam.com.