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
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