Regardless of the realms of climate change, winters with sub-par temps in the northern United States and throughout most of Canada are here to stay in one way or another! And, despite a global economic downturn that has not eluded residents of both great countries – people still love to have fun in the outdoors – summer or winter! Families in particular are often seeking an outdoor activity that they can all enjoy together and won’t cost them an arm and a leg. Something that will get the kids outdoors and away from those darned computer games! Well look no further moms and dads – brothers and sisters … we have the answer to your dilemma – ICE FISHING!
The great thing about ice fishing is that it can be as much fun for a five year old as it is for an 85 year old. “We have a group from New York that stays with us several times every winter to fish from our huts,” says Jerry Kucharchuk, owner of Peninsula Resort and Pefferlaw Ice Huts on Lake Simcoe. “One of the guys in the group is 92 years old and although he has a few health problems he can still out fish most guys half his age; he has so much fun out there that his eyes just light up with anticipation every time we’re heading out to the huts. He’s just like a big kid out there … and I swear it’s what keeps him so young at heart,” Kucharchuk said.
Here in Ontario, our Natural Resources Ministry (MNR) is trying hard to attract new anglers. Not only are anglers the finest caretakers of our aquatic resources, but their license dollars also generating revenue for MNR’s Special Purpose Account. These funds are used to help pay for stocking programs, research and monitoring and enforcement etc. So, one of the ways MNR tries to attract new people to ice fishing is via Ontario’s Family Fishing Weekend. Since 2008, its goal is to help introduce families to ice fishing. No fishing licences are required for Canadian residents between 18-65 during this weekend (conservation limits apply) which always takes place during the Saturday, Sunday and the Monday of the Family Day Holiday in mid-February.
Several family ice fishing events are hosted by local community groups across the province where families can come out and borrow ice fishing gear and receive basic instruction from volunteer angler groups. At some events, there are great prizes, free hot chocolate, hotdogs and live bait supplied … all to help kids and their parents have good time fishing. The best part is seeing kids catch their first fish through the ice and hearing them urge their parents to take them again the following weekend. That’s exactly what the MNR and its partners want to accomplish – getting kids hooked on fishing – summer and winter!If you are interested in introducing your family to ice fishing this winter … here’s a brief rundown of what’s involved to help you out.
Ice Safety
Ice Fishing is one of the safest forms of winter recreation but any time you’re walking on water, there’s an inherent risk that can be minimized with a little knowledge and common sense. For all those venturing out onto the open ice, keep in mind that ice hut operators or local tackle shops are still the experts to call to find out about local conditions. The Ministry of Natural Resources always recommends that people contact a local expert closest to where they want to access the lake to check on ice thickness, etc.
As a general guideline for clear blue ice, I suggest 3 ½ -4 inches is required for a person on foot, eight inches for a snowmobile or ATV and a foot or more for a light vehicle. Double the thickness if the ice is white or opaque and not consistently clear blue throughout. Ice never freezes uniformly either so testing it with a spud bar or auger frequently when unsure should be standard practice on your way out. Early ice conditions can warrant extra attention and often coincide with panfish opportunities not far from shore. Using HT’s small 5 Arctic Express hand auger to quickly zip thru the ice as you walk out is not a problem.
Ice that has formed over flowing water, springs, pressure cracks, old ice holes or around the mouths of rivers and streams can be weaker than surrounding ice. Carrying a set of HT’s retractable ice picks is good insurance and having a compass to rely on should you experience snowy or whiteout conditions is an absolute must-have item. Finally, let someone know where you are accessing the lake and when you plan on returning home.
Starting Out
If you’re not going to participate in a Family Fishing Weekend Ice Fishing event, you may want to consider hiring the services of a professional ice hut operator. There are more than a dozen around Lake Simcoe alone and a comprehensive list from across Ontario can be found at: http://www.ontarioicefishing.net/LakeSimcoeIceFishing.html
Upon request, some operators can supply all you need – including bait, tackle and your basic tip up stick. The latter may be a throw-back to yesteryear but are still a common ‘ice rod’ for many beginners and veteran ice anglers alike. Basically, they consist of a foot long piece of wood, not unlike a ruler, with two notched ends on either side. Here about 50 metres of 6-10 pound test monofilament line is wrapped. If not available from an operator, HT produces entire ice fishing kits that are reasonably priced and typically of greater quality than most operators will supply. Of course hut operators primarily supply warm cozy ice huts and the transportation on the ice (often by historic bombardiers) to get you to the hut and back.
Kids and adults alike will get a real thrill from riding in these ‘retro’ on-ice marvels. Rental huts come equipped with pre-drilled holes, a propane heater, outhouses nearby and benches to sit on.To keep kids busy in between bites … consider bringing out a football to toss around on the ice and lots of munchies for back inside the hut. Most huts have propane heaters that also allow you to reheat meals like chili, stew or spaghetti – so a warm lunch is always a treat. Finding an operator specializing in plentiful panfish like yellow perch or sunfish – helps ensure more fish-biting action. As much as ice fishing doesn’t have to be all about catching fish, it sure does help kids get hooked on the sport when the fish bite.
Once you have experienced the rental hut route … you might be anxious to try the sport on your own, possibly even out on the open ice. If you do chose to forgo the rental hut route all-together, it is recommended that you try to go out with an experienced ice angler the first couple of times. He/she will not only be able to pass on basic safety precautions associated with the sport but help fast track your learning curve in terms of setting up your equipment on the ice, and help maximize your chances of ‘getting a bite’.
Many veterans now wear floater suits but to start out just make sure you have good winter boots and dress in layers with a good outer winter coat. The Polar Fire line of clothing is exceptionally well priced and is sure to keep you warm and toasty for years to come. If you are walking out – avoid the temptation to bundle up too tightly. The walk out should keep you warm and any extra perspiration cools quickly when you reach your destination. Leave a coat partially open so that you don’t overheat. Once you settle down to fishing you can zip up.
Tackle
Once you’re ready, you’ll need to get some very basic tackle. Keep in mind one of the real endearing qualities of this sport is that you can make it as expensive or inexpensive as you want. A limited budget does not preclude you from catching fish – or having a great time on the hard water. You should be able to grab some tackle right from your summer box. Lake trout love tubes jigs – so borrow a couple of the white ones for your winter box. If you have some spoons in your box – they should work through the ice.
Grab a bunch of different size jigs from your summer box as well or if you don’t have them – a wide assortment of HT jigs and spoons can be found at most tackle shops for a very reasonable price. A jig, tipped with either a live minnow, plastic or biodegradable bait will literally catch any fish below the ice. Small 1/8 ounce HT Football Heads or Alien Jigs are especially productive for yellow perch and sunfish. HT’s larger Golden Nugget Series shines for walleye; especially when tipped with a minnow head. If you buy a couple HT Chatter spoons for lake trout or whitefish you’ll have the added appeal of a spoon that rattles – something that can trigger strikes by calling these fish in from greater distances. The majority of ice anglers today have put their wooden jigging sticks in storage and opted for more convenient and fun to use ice fishing rods. For perch, sunfish and black crappie I prefer a medium light HT Polar Lite rod matched with their Accucast spinning reel and four pound test HT line. Their red copolymer stands out well against the white snow and ice which minimizes the grief factor, yet the color fades in the depths below so does not appear to deter fish. For larger lake trout, whitefish, walleye and pike you’ll want something a little beefier so a medium action HT Arctic Bay rod, Accucast reel and 6-8 pound test line will do the trick.
Setting Up
Drilling holes through the solid frozen water you’re walking on doesn’t need to be a daunting task. For many in southern Ontario, a hand auger is preferred because we rarely see the four plus feet of ice that lakes further north do. When specifically fishing for panfish, you can opt for a smaller 5 inch Arctic Express Auger that slices through ice like a hot knife through butter. With its offset blades it drills much quicker and with less effort than the older style flat straight-edge blades.
A plastic scoop will clear the slush from your hole and a five gallon plastic pail to store your rods and tackle will also give you something to sit on. You may even wish to increase your success with a small portable sonar unit. A sled such as HT’s Polar Snow Sled will make hauling all your tackle out a breeze. If you just can’t stand the idea of not having a warm place to fish from, then HT makes a variety of portable ice huts ranging from small one man pop-ups to large roomy four to six person huts.
The Two Hole Advantage
In most of Ontario you’re allowed to fish with two lines at the same time so utilizing the two hole approach is a standard and productive procedure. In one, you can jig an artificial lure and the other can have a set line with live bait or a jig and soft plastic minnow. This set hole is perfect for a Polar or Windlass Tip Up. When a fish strikes, a bright orange flag flies up and you race to the hole to hand line the fish in.
The fun and excitement begins as soon as the flag flies! I can still recall how entertaining it was racing to the hole as a kid after a flag went up – trying to get there faster than my brothers or friends. It was a veritable free for all, but once the winner grabbed the line – everyone else would back off and cheer on the lucky angler who got there first to battle the fish! All in all, ice fishing in Ontario is a time honored Canadian tradition that can be enjoyed by anglers of all ages and skill levels. It can be as simple or complex as you care to make it and whether you catch fish every time out or not, the times you do will create special memories that will have you coming back for more. Of course eating some of your catch is also an added bonus and an important part of the ice fishing experience. Fresh fish caught from Ontario’s cold clean lakes are healthy and nutritious and taste great. Details on fish consumption guidelines for lakes across Ontario can be found at the following site: www.ene.gov.on.ca/en/water/fishguide/index.php
Be sure you have an updated fishing licence and outdoor card. Make sure to read over the general fishing regulations for the lake or area you are accessing. These can be found online at ontario.ca/fishing .You can also check out details like stocking efforts on many of Ontario’s lakes thru MNR’s Fish on Line link from this site.
The Ontario Family Fishing Weekend (OFFW) program includes the winter weekend in February and summer family fishing events in July which run concurrent with National Fishing Week. The OFFW Steering Committee is comprised of the O.F.A.H., Ministry of Natural Resources, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, and the Canadian Sportfishing Industry Association. To find out more information about the Ontario Family Fishing Weekend check out their website at http://www.ontariofamilyfishing.com/.
NOTE:
Please don’t dump leftover minnows down the hole!! Do your part to slow the spread of invasive species. Have a safe and great ice fishing season and please practice catch and release and selective harvest to help ensure a great fishery for future generations. The future of fishing is in your hands!