Advertise on podcast: Fish House Nation Podcast

Your fish house doesn’t have to sit idle while you wait for ice. Whether you’re chasing whitetails, heading to the Dakotas for pheasants, or planning an elk hunt out west, your wheelhouse can serve as a comfortable base camp close to the action. On this episode of the Fish House Nation Podcast, Chris and Al discuss how to get your fish house ready for hunting season. They cover choosing a campsite with wind and access in mind, planning your power supply, managing scent, and organizing gear. Al shares how he uses a hub shelter as a separate changing and drying area, while Chris explains a simple tote system for switching between hunting and ice fishing. They also discuss water needs, security, tires and bearings, towing considerations, and how Catch Cover Pro hole covers can help keep road dust out of your house. A little preparation can mean fewer headaches, more time hunting, and more use from your fish house before winter arrives. The Fish House Nation Podcast is presented by Catch Cover. Find more tips and information at catchcover.com.

Night fishing is one of the biggest advantages of owning a permanent fish house. You’re already on the spot when those prime low-light feeding windows arrive—and you can keep fishing even while you sleep. In Episode 216 of the Fish House Nation Podcast, Chris Larsen and Al Escobedo break down how to be more productive when fishing overnight. They discuss where to position your fish house for nighttime walleyes, using glow jigs in low-light conditions, keeping the house dark in shallow water, and setting up rattle reels with live bait. Chris and Al also share tips for keeping minnows fresh for those early-morning bite windows and debate one of the great fish-house questions: Who has to get out of bed when the rattle reel starts going off? Plus, the guys cover important overnight safety considerations, including carbon monoxide detectors, generator placement, ice conditions, big-lake travel, and having a plan for getting safely on and off the ice. If you spend nights in a wheelhouse or permanent fish house, this episode will help you fish smarter, stay safer, and be ready when that rattle reel starts screaming at 4 a.m. Topics include: night fishing for walleyes, rattle reel setups, glow jigs, nighttime fish-house lighting, overnight live bait strategies, fish-house safety, carbon monoxide awareness, big-lake ice travel, and making the most of an overnight trip. Fish House Nation Podcast is presented by Catch Cover. https://catchcover.com/

Catching perch consistently starts with finding active fish—and understanding that yesterday’s hot spot may be empty today. In this episode, we break down how perch move, the types of areas that concentrate feeding fish, and why anglers need to stay mobile instead of waiting for the school to return. You’ll learn how to search productive water efficiently, recognize when it’s time to make a move, and adjust your presentation once you locate a school. Whether you’re chasing a meal of keeper-sized perch or searching for true jumbos, these practical tips will help you spend less time fishing empty water and more time putting perch on the ice.

Food is one of the best parts of spending a long day—or an entire weekend—in a fish house. In this episode of the Fish House Nation Podcast, we explore the meals, snacks, and cooking traditions that make time on the ice even more enjoyable. From simple sandwiches and convenience-store snacks to hot breakfasts, slow-cooked meals, and full fish house feasts, the conversation covers what works when space, time, and cooking equipment are limited. You’ll also hear ideas for planning meals before the trip, reducing cleanup, feeding a group, and making sure cooking doesn’t interfere with the fishing. Whether you fish from a small portable shelter or a fully equipped wheelhouse, this episode will help you create a better menu for your next ice fishing adventure. For more ice fishing information, visit https://catchcover.com/read-blog-articles/

What if your next work-from-home day could actually be a work-from-the-lake day? In this episode of the Fish House Nation Podcast, Chris Larsen and Al Escobedo break down how remote workers can turn a fish house into a comfortable and productive mobile office—without giving up a day of ice fishing. Chris and Al discuss staying connected when cell service gets overloaded, using Starlink and signal boosters, planning for enough power to keep laptops and phones running, and creating a comfortable workspace inside your wheelhouse. They also cover simple upgrades like using your fish house TV as a second monitor, portable power stations, meal planning, comfortable seating, and even adding a warm rug under your feet. And just because you're working doesn't mean you can't fish. Rattle reels, dead sticks, minnows, and a little planning can keep you in the game while you're answering emails or sitting in a Zoom meeting. Chris and Al even recommend doing a trial run in your driveway before the season so you can figure out exactly how you want your mobile office arranged. If you've got a remote or hybrid job and a fish house, this episode might convince you that your best winter office has been sitting in the driveway all along. Fish House Nation Podcast is presented by Catch Cover. For more ice fishing information, visit https://catchcover.com/

After more than 25 years as the standard in fish house hole covers, Catch Cover has introduced its biggest update yet. In Episode 213 of the Fish House Nation Podcast, host Chris Larsen sits down with Catch Cover owner Trevor Sumption to discuss the development of the all-new Catch Cover Pro. Trevor shares why the time was finally right to redesign one of the most recognizable products in ice fishing, how today's premium wheelhouses influenced the new look, and the engineering challenges of creating a tighter seal without sacrificing the durability anglers have trusted for decades. You'll also hear about the extensive testing process, including multi-season field testing, truck-strength durability demonstrations, and even freezing prototypes to 40 below zero before putting them through extreme abuse. The conversation also focuses on why Catch Cover Pro isn't just for new fish houses. Because it installs directly into the same floor opening as existing Catch Cover and Fish Hole Buddy hole covers, it's an easy upgrade for thousands of current wheelhouse owners, including Ice Castle owners looking to modernize their fish houses with improved performance, updated styling, and four color options. Chris and Trevor also discuss why summer is the perfect time to tackle fish house upgrades, the continued Made-in-USA manufacturing, Catch Cover's lifetime warranty, and why this simple project can transform the look and function of your wheelhouse before ice season arrives. Whether you're building a new wheelhouse, refreshing a used one, or simply curious about the engineering behind one of ice fishing's most trusted products, this episode offers a fascinating behind-the-scenes look at the evolution of the Catch Cover Pro. Find out more about the Catch Cover Pro here: https://catchcover.com/new-catch-cover-pro/

Episode 212 of the Fish House Nation Podcast presented by Catch Cover is all about one of the most productive and often overlooked ice fishing techniques: deadsticking. Hosts Chris Larsen and Al Escobedo break down why every walleye angler should fish a deadstick alongside their jigging rod, especially when fish are less aggressive. They cover everything from choosing the right rod and reel to selecting hooks, line, live bait, and proper minnow rigging techniques. You'll also learn how to position your deadstick, adjust bait movement, and fine-tune your setup to turn lookers into biters. Whether you're new to deadsticking or looking to improve your catch rate this winter, this episode is packed with practical advice that will help you put more walleyes on the ice. In this episode: Why deadsticking consistently catches neutral fish The best rod action and reel setup for walleyes Fluorocarbon vs. other fishing lines How to hook minnows for different presentations Where to position your deadstick relative to your jigging rod Common mistakes that cost anglers fish Simple adjustments that can dramatically improve your success If you're only fishing one rod when regulations allow two, this episode might change the way you ice fish forever. For more ice fishing information, visit https://catchcover.com/read-blog-articles/

In Episode 211 of the Fish House Nation Podcast presented by Catch Cover, Chris Larsen and Al Escobedo break down the best ways to set up electronics inside your wheelhouse to help you catch more fish and make your time on the ice more enjoyable. From traditional flashers and underwater cameras to today's live sonar systems, they share practical tips on reducing interference, positioning transducers, maximizing camera views, and displaying electronics on big-screen TVs. They also discuss how house layout, hole placement, and cable management can improve both your fishing success and your overall experience inside the fish house. Whether you're running a classic flasher, a high-definition camera, or the latest live sonar, this episode will help you build a cleaner, more efficient electronics setup before ice season arrives. In this episode you'll learn: • How to eliminate interference between multiple flashers • Tips for positioning transducers and cameras inside a wheelhouse • The best ways to use live sonar with multiple anglers • How to connect electronics to your fish house TV • Common setup mistakes to avoid before your next trip If you're looking to get the most from your electronics this winter, this episode is packed with practical advice you can put to use right away. The new Catch Cover Pro is available for purchase now at https://catchcover.com/new-catch-cover-pro/

Northern pike are one of the most exciting fish you can target through the ice. In Episode 210 of the Fish House Nation Podcast, hosts Chris Larsen and Al Escobedo break down everything anglers need to know to consistently catch more pike during the ice fishing season. The conversation covers where to find northern pike throughout the winter, including productive weed edges, shallow bays, spawning areas, and panfish locations that attract hungry predators. Chris and Al also discuss tip-up strategies, bait selection, leader lengths, and how to position your baits in the water column for maximum success. You'll learn how to approach a spinning tip-up flag, properly fight and land large pike, and avoid common mistakes that cost anglers trophy fish at the hole. The hosts also share insights on using dead bait versus live bait, targeting pike during midday feeding windows, and using multiple lines to cover more water and locate active fish. Whether you're chasing your first northern pike through the ice or looking to improve your success with larger fish, this episode is packed with practical tips and proven tactics that will help you put more flags on the ice this winter. For more ice fishing information, visit https://catchcover.com/read-blog-articles/

On Episode 209 of the Fish House Nation Podcast presented by Catch Cover, co-hosts Chris Larsen and Al Escobedo break down what to do when the fish just aren’t biting in your wheelhouse. From making subtle location adjustments to changing presentations, lure profiles, colors, noise, and bait positioning, the guys share practical strategies to turn a slow day on the ice into a productive one. Chris and Al discuss how electronics, underwater cameras, tip-ups, and sonar can help you confirm whether you’re actually on fish, while also explaining when too much technology—or even too much light and noise inside the fish house—might actually hurt your bite. They also dive into the importance of scouting, hole placement, generator noise, live sonar pressure, and how small changes like getting baits higher in the water column can trigger more strikes. If you’ve ever set up on what looked like the perfect spot only to struggle getting bites, this episode is packed with real-world ice fishing adjustments that can help salvage your next trip and put more fish on the ice. For more information, visit https://catchcover.com/read-blog-articles/

On Episode 208 of the Fish House Nation Podcast, host Chris Larsen is joined by Al Escobedo for a laid-back, food-focused conversation every ice angler can appreciate. Instead of breaking down tactics, the guys dive into their favorite fish house meals, snacks, and comfort foods that make long days on the ice even better. From venison backstraps and smoked chili to salmon patties, frozen pizzas, gas-station staples, and must-have wheelhouse food tips, this episode is packed with ideas you can actually use this winter. They also share favorite post-fishing burger stops, pizza-stone hacks, and simple ways to eat well without overthinking it. If you spend long days in the wheelhouse—or just love good food and ice fishing—this episode will leave you hungry and ready to upgrade your fish house menu. For more ice fishing information, visit https://catchcover.com/read-blog-articles/

On Episode 207 of the Fish House Nation Podcast, Chris Larsen and Al Escobedo dive deep into one of the most debated tools in the wheelhouse world: rattle reels. Love them or hate them, rattle reels are one of the most effective—and misunderstood—ways to stay in the game 24/7 when you’re on the ice. Chris and Al break down everything you need to know, including: 🎣 Why rattle reels are more than just “night lines” Learn how they keep you fishing while you sleep, cook, play cards, or host guests new to ice fishing. 🎣 Smart setups and must-use gear From fly line vs. Dacron to memory issues, spool sizing, leader choices, and how Catch Cover’s Rattlesnake Reel solves common frustrations with line twist and tangles. 🎣 Keeping kids and casual anglers engaged How assigning “their own” rattle reel creates ownership, excitement—and fewer headaches for parents. 🎣 Avoiding rod-down-the-hole disasters Why rattle reels and Catch Cover safety covers work together as a system to prevent lost rods, tangled lines, and chaos in small spaces. 🎣 The best depths and locations for overnight bites Flat edges, saddles, suspended marks, under-the-ice predators, and how to dial in depth without guesswork. 🎣 Tips for multi-species action Walleyes, perch, crappies, bluegills—even pike—respond well to rattle reels when set up correctly. The guys also share personal stories of being jolted awake by a screaming rattle, “giving up” for the night after too many bites, and the underrated strategy of resetting lines at 3:30 a.m. to catch the first-light window. Whether you’re looking to simplify your setup, improve your all-night success, or just keep lines wet while the crew hangs out in the shack, this episode is loaded with practical, field-tested insight. And don’t forget—right now (December 1–7, 2025) Catch Cover’s once-a-year 20% off sale is live at CatchCover.com. No code needed.

On Episode 206 of the Fish House Nation Podcast, presented by Catch Cover, hosts Chris Larsen and Al Escobedo dive deep into one of the most talked-about—and debated—topics in ice fishing: color selection. Whether you’re walking the aisles of the St. Paul Ice Show or stocking up at your favorite retailer, it’s easy to get overwhelmed by the wall of plastics, jigs, glow baits, metallic finishes, and UV patterns. So what colors actually matter? And when? Chris and Al break it all down with a mix of practical strategy and real-world experience. They discuss how factors like water clarity, sunlight, depth, and fish behavior dictate color choice—and why confidence colors still play a massive role. You’ll hear Al’s go-to lineup (gold, white, black, red, pink), when to lean on natural tones, why metallics shine in darker water, and how UV-brightened plastics can trigger panfish. Chris shares his favorites for clear water—including his “Dr. Pepper” color obsession—and the duo explores how pairing plastics with jig heads creates effective color combinations. They also cover: 🎣 When color actually doesn’t matter as much as you think 🎣 The role of cadence, profile, and location vs. lure color 🎣 Hard-bait color selection and why metallics mimic livebait so well 🎣 Why it’s okay to experiment far outside the “rules” Whether you keep your jig box minimal or (like Al) treat it as an art collection, this episode will help you choose smarter—and fish more confidently—this winter. For more ice fishing content, guides, and gear tips, visit CatchCover.com.

Jumbo perch are the ultimate prize on the ice—fun to catch and unbeatable on the table. In this episode of the Fish House Nation Podcast presented by Catch Cover, hosts Chris Larsen and Al Escobedo share their best tips for finding perch, staying mobile, and choosing the right gear to keep the bite going. Whether you fish in a wheelhouse or on the move, this episode will help you put more jumbos on the ice this winter. For more ice fishing information, visit https://catchcover.com/read-blog-articles/

In this episode of the Fish House Nation Podcast presented by Catch Cover, host Chris Larsen is joined by Al Escobedo for a storytelling session that captures the heart of ice fishing culture. Instead of sharing only tips and tactics, Chris and Al swap their favorite ice fishing stories—from late-ice crappie adventures and tournament mishaps to unforgettable memories with family, friends, and even a few legendary names like Dave Genz. You’ll hear about close calls with thinning ice, hilarious four-wheeler moments with Al’s cousin Mario, a humbling run at the Minnesota Panfish Championship, unforgettable trips to Lake of the Woods and Big Stone, and even a behind-the-scenes look at photo shoots on Mille Lacs and Winnibigoshish. Packed with laughs, camaraderie, and real-life adventures on the ice, this episode feels like pulling up a chair in the fish house and swapping stories with friends. Whether you’re an avid angler or just love the tradition of ice fishing, you’ll come away with a smile—and maybe a new story of your own. For more ice fishing content, visit CatchCover.com