Fishing in the Winter
By Mike Fisher (2006)Looking out his window, Keith Rae could see a beautiful winter day: blue sky, gentle breeze, barely a cloud. The weather was mild, but the temperature had recently dropped far enough to continue freezing the lake. Why be stuck inside? Why not get out and enjoy it?
So he loaded his black Labradors (Mortimer and Ditto) into his truck, got his ice auger, a five gallon pail of fishing tip-ups (ingenious devices that signal when a fish hits your line), portable ice fishing tents and other necessary gear, and took a short trip to Lac Ste Anne (just west of Edmonton), a popular ice fishing spot.
As owner of Get Hooked Fishing Adventures, Rae’s use to guiding winter fishermen, their friends and families to spots like this lake. But he doesn’t tire of the thrill of getting out on the ice for a refreshing break that’s part challenge (“You’re limited to that six-to-10-inch hole, so in ways it’s a lot tougher than other fishing”) and part pure-Canadian, all-Albertan outdoors relaxation (“Ice fishing is not just about catching the fish; it’s more about the experience of getting out and enjoying that winter day).”
Easy Steps to Make Ice Fishing Fun
If you go ice fishing with a guide or outfitter, rest assured that everything will be taken care of, aside from ensuring that you’re dressed correctly and warmly. Rae does have some tips for what you should wear. One word, three times: layer, layer, layer.
“If you want the day to be as pleasurable as it can be, it’s important to layer your clothing,” said Rae. He recited the old saying: “You can always peel off layers when you’re hot, but you can’t put them on if you don’t have them.” If you start with the layer closest to the skin, where you want try a material that will wick away moisture, such as polypropylene. Cotton’s okay, but if it gets wet, it tends to stay wet.
Wool is usually a good choice for a second layer, because of its properties for warmth. Sure, you can use fleece, but wool tends to hold the warmth to that first layer better. The third and final layer should be some kind of wind breaker material. It can get nippy out on the lake when a wind comes up. And don’t forget to bring some good sunglasses or goggles, along with mitts, and a hat with ear flaps. Finally, keep your feet warm and dry with footwear that’s waterproof and well-insulated.
Rae ensures his customers get the first-class treatment; they can stay inside portable tents that keep them warm and toasty. Though if you’re out on the lake, why not take some time to experience the bracing freshness of a winter day?
Knowledge Is Power
So now that you’re suited up, make sure that you’ve got a copy of the Alberta Guide To Sportfishing Regulations. Albertans catch more Whitefish and Perch during the winter than in another season. Pike, Walleye, Trout and Burbot (Ling) are other popular fishing challenges. Fishing can be done on lakes and streams throughout the province, but be sure to check the areas fishing regulations before hand.
Once you get to the lake to find that perfect fishing spot, you want to ensure that the ice is thick enough to travel on, whether you’re walking, pulling a sled or driving a vehicle. “When you head out, you have to make sure your ice is safe,” said Rae. “Don’t go walking on ice with less than a minimum of six to eight inches of ice.” Driving on ice is always a hazard, said Rae, who suggests 16-24 inches of ice “before I even think of driving on it.” And he recommends that you always follow a path someone else has driven on. The ice is generally safe to the end of March.
Use Cool Tools
Okay. You’re there and you want to punch a hole into the ice for fishing. What’s your best tool?
You need an auger. Rae uses a gas-powered ice auger which is easy to carry, though there are other ways to break the ice. “Some people still use the old fashion method of a pry bar and chip the ice until there is a hole,” said Rae. “But I suggest either a good hand auger which is manually driven or one of the many power augers out there in the market place.” Everyone is allowed two holes.
When you’re ice fishing, you’ll likely spend some time sitting, so bring a portable seat and maybe some hot chocolate to sip on when you set your line and attend to it. As Rae explained, there are all kinds and sizes of shelters that you can set up, including portable rigs that pack up in a suitcase. It’s a matter of choice and what you might want to invest in equipment.
Remember when Rae loaded up his truck for his ice fishing expedition, he packed his five gallon pail? That pail is to carry and hold his rods and reels and his various ice fishing tip ups. Tip ups can just be a flag that ‘tips up’ when the fish strikes, allowing you to leave the fishing hole instead of just sitting and staring. Tips ups come in varying styles, such as the submersible (a bracket across the top of the ice with a flag, the reel part under, so when the fish hits it triggers the flag to pop up and you know you have a fish on it). “For those people who want just the basics, you can attach a bob, drop the line to the bottom and attach a milk jug eight to 12 feet away from the edge of hole,” said Rae. “As soon as it moves, you know you have a fish.”
Again, it’s a matter of personal choice and where you’ve opened the hole and set your line. “The ones I use, if there is even a lick of a breeze, these things pick it up and it jigs for you; it’s for open ice,” said Rae.
Rae’s Tips and Tricks
Make sure you tip your hooks: use minnows or smelt if after Pike, advised Rae. “For Perch, I suggest a very small jig, tipped with maggots,” he said. “Fish about six to eight inches off the bottom. Try six inches to two feet off the bottom for Pike. Whitefish commonly are caught with wire worms or teardrop, tipped also with maggots.” If you’re seeking Whitefish, try the shallower areas of the lake. Of course, you’ll need bait, but where do you get it? Tackle shops and gas stations, according to Rae.
Walleye are best fished early in morning in shallower water and late in afternoon and early evening, said Rae.
And what did Rae do when he finally got to the lake?
“When I went out I saw there was not much traffic on the ice, so I walked out and drilled a hole to see how thick the ice so I knew what I was dealing with,” he said. “Once I realized we had safe ice, I drilled a few more holes, where we could put tip ups on and we could watch them.” He took out his lawn chair and positioned his bucket.
“But it didn’t take long before flags were flying,” he said. When the fish hits, rush to your tip ups and wait until they stop moving. Move the tip up away from the hole, leaving your line slack. Gently pull your lines up until you feel a slight bit of pressure, then jerk it hard and pull steady. Before long, like Rae, you could have a nice, 4 lb. Pike coming through the ice.
Much later, after he had caught and released his fish, Rae offered this sage advice at the end of his interview.
“Set your baits and hooks at the proper depth,” he said. “And then sit back and enjoy the day.”
Ice Fishing Resources
Rae recommends these outfitters for ice fishing (we mentioned his outfit at the start of the story) and all of them are found at Alberta Sport Fishing.
