In most of the northern states fishing is a seasonal sport identified with such symbols of warm weather comfort as shaded river banks, outboard motors and rolled up shirt sleeves. However there are exceptions to every rule and those whose fishing fever cannot go unsatisfied during the winter months must either journey to a warm climate or take up the sport of ice fishing.

Notwithstanding its demand on personal comfort, ice fishing is an increasingly popular form of winter recreation. In fact one recent study showed that ice fishing popularity in many sections of northern United States where the ice is thick enough to support the fishermen may nearly equal that of the summer anglers. And it even exceeds summer fishing in certain localized areas.

Ice fishing has long been recognized as one of the most productive forms of sport fishing. On a fish-per-hour basis, ice fishing is in a class by itself, especially where bluegills and yellow perch are abundant. However, good catches of walleyes, crappies, bass, catfish, northern pike, lake trout, carp and several other species are made in certain waters. In general, any body of water that provides good fishing in other seasons will most likely be productive for ice fishing. Farm ponds and other small lakes are an especially good bet because of their large populations of bluegills.

Ice fishing should not be attempted until the ice is atleast two inches thick. Even then the fisherman must exercise extreme caution in areas where spring water or some other warming influence might have reduced the safety margin. Since ice fishing ordinarily takes place under conditions of low temperature often accompanied by bitter winds, it is almost impossible to dress to warmly. An outfit that has become virtually the ice fisherman’s “uniform” consists of a heavy parka with hood, a good pair of gloves (perhaps two pairs) and insulated boots. The heated, portable shanties used in some areas are probably the ultimate in ice fishing comfort, but are seldom practical for the man who fishes only a few hours at a time and would have to transport the shanty to and from the lake. Many fisherman use portable windbreaks which can be carried over a shoulder or hauled on a small sled.

Although there are several devices on the market intended to simplify cutting holes in the ice, the most practical tool for the average fisherman is the “spud bar” a heavy iron bar with a broad chisel-like end.

However, where the ice is unusually thick and many holes are to be made, power saws prove to be very practical. Ideally, ice fishing holes should be eight or ten inches in diameter, with 12 inches sometimes the largest that can be made legally, obviously for safety reasons. After the fisherman spuds a hole in the ice, he cleans out the slush with a small strainer or sieve.

Some fishermen cut holes at each of the various locations where they suspect fishing might be good, or perhaps where they have made good catches previously. It is a good idea to fish each hole for a few minutes and in this way determine which holes produce the best results. Fishermen tend to concentrate at points where a few good strings of fish have been taken, and this does not necessarily detract from the area. In fact, some veteran ice fishermen believe that added light and air made available from the greater number of holes actually serve to attract fish to the area. As a general rule, the deeper the water, the better the chance of good ice fishing. An especially choice spot is where there is a source of spring water several feet under the ice.

During the past few years many ice fishermen have been using electronic devices, such as the Lo-k-tor to find schools of fish. This effects a great savings in valuable fishing time.

There are several combinations of equipment popular with ice fishermen. These range from the simplest hook and line outfits to some fairly elaborate “tip-up” devices which can be left unattended and will signal when a fish takes the bait. Local regulations should be checked for the maximum number of hook and line and/or tip-ups permitted each fisherman. Rods for ice fishing need not be expensive- in fact, very few of them are.

An old flyrod tip or simply a short stick or piece of heavy, stiff wire is usually all that is needed. Most fishermen prefer to sit close to the hole and use the typical, short, ice fishing rods. However, a few ice fishing addicts insist they have better success with a slightly longer rod which allows them to sit back a few feet from the hole, thereby reducing the chance of fish seeing them or their shadow.

Of course, it is a subject of debate whether fish can see the fisherman through several feet of water plus a covering of ice and snow, but the relative wariness of fishes no doubt varies with local conditions with the relative clarity of the water perhaps being the major factor. In general, winter usually brings about an extreme slow-down of fish metabolism with a proportionate decrease in all activities and sensibilities.

The line preferred for most ice fishing is monofilament of approximately four-pound test, with a short leader section of lighter material used when the fish are not biting readily. The most popular hook size for panfish is about No.12, with gold plated hooks or ice flies often preferred because of their shiny appearance which is probably attractive to fish. Many experienced ice fishermen use two hooks or flies on each line. One is tied to the end of the main leader, and a “dropper” is on another length of leader tied to the main line a foot or so from the bottom. This allows the use of two different kinds or lures or baits at same time and at different depths.

Opinions vary as to whether a float or bobber should be used. When using a float, it should be set to position the bottom hook six inches or less from the bottom. An easy way to determine the depth of the water is to temporarily attach a sinker to the hook and allow it to go to the bottom- then to set the float accordingly, and remove the sinker. In certain waters where there is a current, a sinker must be used when actually fishing or else the line will be swept out under the ice and never reach the bottom.

Ice Fishing Lake Manitoba Narrows

Manitoba Auto Dealers

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On your feet wear boots that are waterproof if possible. I have had the same pair of rubberized, insulated boots for ten years and my feet have never been damp once. I do recommend ice cleats, especially early in the year with little snow cover. It can be darn slippery and bones have been broken, These cleats will fit over your existing footwear and give you the stability you will need.
While it’s hard to cover as much area ice fishing as from a boat, there are certain things you can do to increase your chances of contacting fish. It sure pays to bring along a portable GPS with the waypoints locked in to the areas you were catching fish in open water. After establishing location, check depths through the ice with your portable fish finder. Look for the edge of the drop-off combined with both points into deeper water as well as inside turns, then start drilling holes in a grid pattern and spread out. That’s why it’s so much better to make ice fishing a social event, the more anglers the better in many cases as it shortens the time it takes to find fish and figure out what they might bite on that particular day.
On your first trip to the lake, start out at daylight so you can figure out just how much ice you do have. That’s why you bring along basic survival gear such as rope, axe, waterproof matches, whistle, first aid kit, ice picks, cell phone just in case the unexpected happens and you get stranded.
As you start exploring the lake to find active fish, you might have to try a number of different areas and depths but once you do make contact, drill a number of holes near the productive spot and get ready to catch some fish. Weather also plays a factor and if the daytime bite is slow, there might be an opportunity for a pretty impressive night bite on the same body of water. More and more ice anglers that I now are bringing along portable shacks and lights to wait out a slow daytime bite. Walleye in natural lakes will move off the edges of the drop-offs during the day right up to a metre of water during the night. When night fishing and even during the day use two rods when you can, one with a set line and the other with a lure that is jigged.
On lakes outside provincial and federal parks in Manitoba you can use live minnows.(check individual lake regulations in your Manitoba Anglers Guide) This is a good option on a body of water like Lake of the Prairies. Get a tail or dorsal hooked minnow down just off the bottom on a set line, then work a hole just a couple metres away with a jigging spoon. Sometimes the fish will take the set bait, but more times than not, they will smack the aggressive presentation at first ice.
Using an underwater camera in conjunction with portable electronics can really help in understanding what is happening down below your ice hole. These are just a few of the aids now available on the market.

http://hookedmagazine.ca/?p=1100

Ice Fishing Lake Manitoba Narrows

Manitoba Auto Dealers

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On your feet wear boots that are waterproof if possible. I have had the same pair of rubberized, insulated boots for ten years and my feet have never been damp once. I do recommend ice cleats, especially early in the year with little snow cover. It can be darn slippery and bones have been broken, These cleats will fit over your existing footwear and give you the stability you will need.
While its hard to cover as much area ice fishing as from a boat, there are certain things you can do to increase your chances of contacting fish. It sure pays to bring along a portable GPS with the waypoints locked in to the areas you were catching fish in open water. After establishing location, check depths through the ice with your portable fish finder. Look for the edge of the drop-off combined with both points into deeper water as well as inside turns, then start drilling holes in a grid pattern and spread out. That’s why it’s so much better to make ice fishing a social event, the more anglers the better in many cases as it shortens the time it takes to find fish and figure out what they might bite on that particular day.
On your first trip to the lake, start out at daylight so you can figure out just how much ice you do have. That’s why you bring along basic survival gear such as rope, ax, waterproof matches, whistle, first aid kit, ice picks, cell phone just in case the unexpected happens and you get stranded.
As you start exploring the lake to find active fish, you might have to try a number of different areas and depths but once you do make contact, drill a number of holes near the productive spot and get ready to catch some fish. Weather also plays a factor and if the daytime bite is slow, there might be an opportunity for a pretty impressive night bite on the same body of water. More and more ice anglers that I now are bringing along portable shacks and lights to wait out a slow daytime bite. Walleye in natural lakes will move off the edges of the drop-offs during the day right up to a metre of water during the night. When night fishing and even during the day use two rods when you can, one with a set line and the other with a lure that is jigged.
On lakes outside provincial and federal parks in Manitoba you can use live minnows.(check individual lake regulations in your Manitoba Anglers Guide) This is a good option on a body of water like Lake of the Prairies. Get a tail or dorsal hooked minnow down just off the bottom on a set line, then work a hole just a couple metres away with a jigging spoon. Sometimes the fish will take the set bait, but more times than not, they will smack the aggressive presentation at first ice.

http://donlamont.blogspot.com/2009/12/another-season-of-ice-fishing-is-upon.html

Ice Fishing Lake Manitoba Narrows

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Canada has the ideal water where the fish are abundant. There are also plenty of shops and establishments that sell fishing gear and tools for fishing. Fishing in Canada is divided in two groups. That is the Lake Water Fishing and the Salt Water Fishing. The two groups are totally different especially in Canada.

The most famous fishing in Canada is the Salmon Fishing, which is enjoying and rewarding. Salmon varieties that are abundant in Canada are the Coho, Sockeye Salmon, Chinook and the chum. Salmon are known for their size and beauty. Many fishing guides in Canada specialize in the adventure of Salmon Fishing.

Saltwater fishing is popular in the 3 coasts of Canada. They are the Atlantic, Pacific and Arctic Oceans. This is a chance for shark and tuna fishing. A lot of big saltwater fish are caught only on deep seas and that is what the 3 coasts offer.

Canada is also known for fly fishing. Fly fishing, which is an older type of sport fishing, is about catching a fish using an artificial lure called a “fly.” Many resorts and establishments in Canada offer great packages on fly fishing.

Ice Fishing is also an option for you if you would like to experience fishing in Canada. There are also ice fishing guides that could assist you in your trip. They will ensure your safety and enjoyable experience in Canada. Ice fishing requires special gear, outfits and techniques that require the help of a skilled ice fishing guide. Many tourists who come to Canada for ice fishing can rent ice huts to keep them warm and away from wind.

For tourists who would like to experience ice fishing in Canada, it is always recommended that you come along with fishing guides that are specialized on each fishing type. It is also advised to bring a compass, cell phones and flashlights as safety device and for emergency purposes.

http://largemouthbassfishingtechniques.blogspot.com/2009/12/fishing-in-canada.html

Ice Fishing Lake Manitoba Narrows

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