The family and ice fishing
If you like fishing but
don’t go during winter,
you’re missing out!
BY TIM ALLARD
THere are PlenTy of opportunities to ice
fish in the ottawa area and the cold months
won’t drag on as long if you take time to
enjoy this fun outdoor activity. Ice fishing,
to me, isn’t just about catching fish, but also
about spending time with good company in
the great outdoors.
although you can only fit so many people last year, my father and I headed to loon one great place to fish is at Petrie Island in
in a fishing boat, you can pile plenty on the lodge on lake Temagami for an ice fishing the east end of the city. If you are looking for
ice; socializing is a big part of ice fishing. vacation. although mid-winter conditions crappie, bluegill, perch, walleye or northern
one of my earliest fishing memories is affected our catch rates, we spent two pike, this a hotspot come winter. The
participating in an ice derby. I couldn’t have days catching fish and catching up on each Petrie Island Ice Fishermen’s association
been more than eight years old and I soaked other’s lives. has information on current ice conditions,
up every minute of the adventure. From the outfitters will likely supply tip-ups fishing tips, wood stove recipes and much
excitement of the snowmobile ride and (set-lines), bait and drilled holes as an more on its website: petrieisland.bravehost.
watching power augers cut through lake ice option in their rental fees. Huts are often com. For ice hut rental information at Petrie
to the culinary tastes of the day’s end fish equipped with heaters and pre-drilled holes Island visit oziles’s website: www.oziles.
fry. Being a young, fishing fanatic this was inside, so you’ll fish in a relatively toasty com. For those in the west end of the city
the ultimate winter day. environment. Just don’t forget to bring another great destination is mississippi
getting youngsters on the ice is a great plenty of snacks and some hot chocolate lake near Carleton Place. Bait Casters
way to hook them on fishing. There’s plenty in a thermos; munching can be as tackle shop rents huts, find information on
to do beyond catching fish to keep them much fun as fishing. their website: www.baitcasters.ca.
engaged; they can help clean ice holes
with a skimmer and bait the lines with
Ice fishing etiquette
minnows. I didn’t have a fishing sonar or
underwater camera during my early ice
adventures, but these gadgets are available
Pick up your trash. we all hate to see a load of tangled fishing line and pop cans of
today, resonating well with techno-
beer left behind. leaving your litter shows a lack of respect for the environment and
savvy youngsters. last year, I watched a
disregard for other ice anglers.
grandfather and grandson fish together Don’t park close to another angler. If you’re the sociable type that likes to take the
for perch. The boy beamed with pride as time to greet other anglers and talk about what bait is working, etc., then there is no
gramps allowed him to bait hooks and let
harm in asking politely if you can park up nearby. However, to park nearby and just
him use the underwater camera to watch
start fishing right next to someone is not polite. The other angler may prefer some
them swim in their environment. The young
solitude. either way, it’s best not go any nearer than 10 metres.
angler was mesmerized and completely
Cut the noise. This again is down to considering the others out ice fishing. Having fun
focused on catching them.
is fine, but too much noise is simply annoying. enjoy the fresh air and fish quietly. If
of course, you don’t need tons of gadgets
your deluxe ice hut has a satellite TV, then keep it turned down. your neighbours and
to go ice fishing. Standard winter outerwear the fish may not want to hear it.
and a licence may be all you need if you
Drill your own holes. Before you take an existing augured hole, look round to make
plan to rent a permanent ice shack. a
sure an angler isn’t drilling nearby. The open hole is his and nobody appreciates a
look in the phone book or an Internet
hole-poacher. make your own.
search will turn up a few tackle shops or
lodges that rent ice-fishing shacks in the
Mark your holes. Put a large branch or other marker in the holes you leave behind, so
surrounding area. (see sidebar). renting a
the next angler who passes by doesn’t fall in the water.
permanent hut is a great way to take out
Keep pets on a leash. Fido can fall down a very cold, very wet hole if you let him run
friends and family who don’t winter fish
free on the ice.
often. a shack’s environment fosters
laughs, quality time and often catching fish
Watch your children. The ice is far too dangerous a place for an unattended child.
is a secondary bonus.
Source: www.icefishingtips.net/?p=63
40 OTTAWA >> WINTER 2008/2009 www.OttawaOutdoors.ca
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