on your own year-round (if you’re experienced), with family and friends or with an expert fishing guide. When it comes to fishing, there are four seasons: (1) Spring fishing is the season when many people take their fishing equipment out of storage, prepare their equipment for the upcoming season, and are eagerly anticipating spending time outdoors, especially after a long, cold winter; (2) Summer fishing is enjoyed throughout the months of July and August and brings out the sun-seekers for those hot, dog- days of summer; (3) Autumn is the time of the year when most people put away their fishing gear and they begin to get ready for the months leading to the long, cold winter season. Most people overlook autumn fishing, not realizing that this is a very productive time to fish... If you know how to target them. (4) The last fishing season is Ice or winter fishing. Ice fishing is a great winter activity when you have the appropriate attire and fishing equipment. Ice fishing can be a very inexpensive way to enjoy your winter months - whether close to home or whether you’re on the road. All you need is an ice auger to punch some holes into the frozen lake, some rods and reels and some appropriate tackle. And don’t forget bait: use smelts, maggots or worms.
The first thing an individual should consider before going out on the ice is safety. For someone to walk out on the ice, you need to ensure the ice is at least five inches thick. In order to take your snowmobile or ATV anywhere on the ice, the depth should be greater than eight inches; and when it comes to driving your vehicle on the ice, the depth should be more than fourteen inches. Be cautious and always check your ice conditions.
What to do on the ice. The first thing a person needs is to plan where to go. If you’re not familiar with the lake you are fishing, see where other people have
fished and stay on the main trails. By staying on the trails you are traveling paths that are often traveled by others - which is obviously the safer route should you need to be “found”. When your testing the ice and checking water depth, drill a few holes and dip-test; anywhere from 5 to 25 feet is a good range. In Alberta, you are allowed two lines to fish with at once. For pike - if they are present in that Lake - set up a tip with a large herring; use your hand-line for perch or walleye, and use various hooks from spoons to jigs tipped with minnows,
Ice Fishing, Ray Kohlruss Photo
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Ice Fishing, Ray Kohlruss Photo
worms or maggots. Fish off the bottom anywhere from 6 to 24 inches; you may need to experiment with the depth for different species. When one hole is not productive, move to next one that you will have already drilled in advance.
Have a wonderful time out on the ice this winter.
More information on ice fishing in Athabasca: Ray Kohlruss C/O
Reel Angling Adventures www.
reelangling.com
rvsnowbirds.com
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