5 Reasons To Go Ice Fishing This Winter
Our nights are staying consistently cold and although I complain about the cold, I also appreciate it because that’s ice making weather. Cold nights, and hopefully a lack snow, will gets the lakes frozen over and then it’s time for ice fishing! Standing on an iced-over lake may not sound like much fun, but ice fishing is a blast and definitely something to add to your winter activities. Here are 5 reasons you should go ice fishing.
1 – WINTER IS LONG
Let’s start with the obvious reason. Winter is long in our part of the world, and even longer further north. There have been years we’ve had safe ice for Christmas and many years that we’ve been breaking ice with our boat a couple weeks before trout opener in April. Are you going to go four or five months without fishing? That’s crazy!
Many of us find the short days in the winter impacts our mental health. Add a lack of time in the outdoors and the problems get worse. Going ice fishing is a great way to leave the house, get some sunshine and fresh air, and make the best of winter.
2 – THE FISH
Fishing is different in the winter. There’s the obvious fact that you’re fishing through a hole instead of casting from shore or a boat. You might think fishing through a hole is limiting, but it’s not. It’s so much fun! I can’t count the number of times I’ve been reeling in my lure, only to have a pike smash it right below the ice. What a rush!
If you find a school of fish, you can setup on top of them and continue dropping your lure right into that school. We’ve had so many days of catching fish after fish, whether it’s perch, or crappie, or sunfish, because fishing through that hole lets you stay right on top of the school. No boat control needed. No remembering where to cast to.
Also, if you have an underwater camera (and you can get some for pretty cheap on Amazon), there’s nothing better than watching the fish under the ice.
3 – FISH PLACES YOU NORMALLY NEED A BOAT TO GET TO
Once the surface of the lake is frozen, the possibilities are endless for where you can fish. Have you always wanted to fish the hump in the middle of the lake but don’t have a boat so you can’t get there? You can if the lake freezes over. If you’re willing to put in the steps you can go wherever you want (providing the ice is safe), which is a pretty neat feeling. You’d be surprised how much of a lake you can cover in a day. The trick is to do it in small intervals. Walk a distance, drill a few holes, fish them for a bit, then continue on. Exploring new areas of a lake is exhilarating. Of course, a snowmobile or ATV can also help you get around.
4 – BE AS SOCIAL OR INDEPENDENT AS YOU LIKE
Ice fishing makes it so easy to get a group of people together. You can rent a hut, or several huts. You can take your own huts and set them up in the same area so you can all chat and fish together. Since so much of the day is often spent sitting in one spot, waiting for the fish to bite, there’s plenty of time for sharing stories, eating good food, and playing with tackle. I see so many groups on the ice where the fishing is clearly secondary to spending a day together. If you want to try ice fishing and don’t have gear or a hut, ask a friend if you can tag along. This is an awesome way to learn about ice fishing, but also to just have a fun time.
Of course, if you’re more like me and prefer to spend your non-working hours far away from other people, ice fishing gives you that opportunity as well. With a few extra steps you can often get away from the crowd. Winter also makes it easier to access some remote lakes where you’ll find yourself as the only one out there. The peace and quiet you can find on the ice is second to none.
5 – THE SCENERY
Winter provides some breathtaking scenery, and there’s no better way to enjoy it than on a hike through the forest into a lake, or while standing on the expanse of ice when you get to the lake. Blue skies are so clear and crisp. Snow-covered trees provide a beautiful backdrop. An overcast day can provide all sorts of dramatic views. And then there’s the expanse of ice underneath you. Whether you’re on a small lake, or a much bigger one, that wide view of frozen water is always something to see. There have been ice fishing trips where I’ve spent more time taking pictures than actually fishing. The thing is, pictures never to do it justice. You need to experience the winter scene for yourself!
Do yourself favour and head out ice fishing this winter. Many conservation areas in Southern Ontario (I highly recommend Island Lake) allow ice fishing and they’re a great place to go because they monitor ice conditions and often have bait for sale, with many of them offering gear rentals as well. As with any activity, doing a bit of research ahead of time will save you some headaches. Learn about ice safety, proper auger use, the fishing regulations for the lake you want to fish, and whatever other information you can find. Then get out there and enjoy!
argosgirl
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