Ice fishing the Calgary area
True Canadian fishers don’t let cold fingers stop them
BY GUY WOODS
IN THE FIRST weeks of December, the majority of open-water sport
anglers have packed away their gear and their attentions have turned to
other interests to while away the winter months. To the fair-weathered
angler, it’s just too damn cold for bare fingers.
But this is not the case for the dedicated there is good parking access on the north
(read: truly Canadian) anglers that brave end. According to Aaron Davies of Wapiti
the elements to enjoy their sport. No video Sports in Canmore, the ice on the Spray is
games or couch lethargy for this group of generally thick enough to start fishing on
brave souls! These hardy individuals are by mid-December. You can use smelts for
proudly identified as ice fishermen, or to be bait; my preference is to use a small piece
more politically correct, ice fishers. of smelt on a hair jig, fishing it just off the
If it is a mild winter, by the end of bottom. Jig colours of white, Chartreuse
November the Calgary area’s lakes and and blue are good bets. White is almost
ponds have just started to develop a hard always a good colour to start with.
surface of ice. The cold nights ensure the Closer to the big city is the Ghost
ice is safe enough to walk on without worry Reservoir. This lake has a reputation for
during daylight hours. To be sure that this is producing some very large lake trout, but
the case, I like to wait until there are at least it is hard work catching them. If you opt
10 centimetres (four inches) of ice thickness for a more abundant species on the lake,
before I venture onto a lake or pond. there are brown trout and rocky mountain
To be sure, the Calgary area cannot be whitefish to be had. The latter can be caught
correctly described as lake country, but on maggots and flies, while brown trout
there are a few lakes in its proximity that are always eager to take a small jig with a
provide recreational angling opportunities. baited minnow. The Ghost is one of the few
To the west, if it’s trout you’re after, there trout lakes in the area where the use of bait
are the Spray Lakes, Ghost Reservoir, fish is permitted.
Barrier Reservoir and Kananaskis lakes. A good choice of lure for the pike lakes
South of Longview is the popular Chain is a jig baited with a smelt or minnow. Fish
Lakes fishery. this combo just off the lake bottom and
If pike and Lake Whitefish are in the make sure you use a steel leader on the
fishing program, McGregor, Badger and end of your line. A straight bait hook with
Kehoe lakes are a few well-known angling a smelt is also a sure bet. Bait the whole
destinations. The pike in these lakes are smelt through the mid-section of the fish
generally of a good size and they put up a with a size-four treble hook and suspend
solid fight on the end of your line. the offering just off of the bottom.
«CO
Lake Whitefish is a great sport fish to
pursue in these same lakes. The main
attraction here is that this type of fishing
is all visual. You for Whitefish in shallow
water, mainly early in the season, and
WEL
when you see them take your lure, you set
CHA
S
the hook quickly. It is a very exciting sport
and Lake Whitefish are a wonderful eating
/
J
ANET
T
O
fish. Jigging a small wire worm jig, baited
with maggots, is an effective technique for
T
OCKPHO
catching these fish.
IS
One of my favourite ice-fishing
B
Y
T
O
destinations is Spray Lakes Reservoir, where
P
HO
32 CALGARY >> WINTER 2008/2009
www.CalgaryOutdoors.ca
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