Interested in perch, bluegills and crappy? Well, just pick a sunny day with little wind and give your hand a try at ice fishing. There are dozens of lakes to choose from: Balsam Lake, Brighton Bay in Lake Ontario, Cameron Lake, Chemong Lake, Lake Dalrymple, Rice Lake, Sturgeon Lake, Lake Scugog, Crowe Lake and the lower Trent River are just some of the choices available. Many of the public boat launches make great winter access points and you may even get free parking along the side of the road.
Source: http://leisurecottages.com/Ice_Fishing.html
You will notice many fishermen have a variety of rods, each rigged a little differently. The variety lets you be prepared for the different sizes and species you might encounter, tells you how active the fish actually are and how deep you plan to fish. Experienced anglers have a sharp 6” hand auger, an ice skimmer to remove slush from your hole, a light action 18-24” ice rod/reel combo spooled with 6-10 pound monofilament fishing line and a handful of lures for each species you are after.
Remember, the more prepared you are the better off you will be since changing lures in sub-zero weather is not a lot of fun.
If you are going to a lake for the first time, one that may not have a lot of ice fishing activity already, it is critical that you test the depth of the ice. Use your basic auger to test the ice – you want a minimum of a 6 to 8 inch circumference to get started.
Want to know how plentiful the fish are? Simple. Google ‘Stocked Water Body’ to find a number of sites that can give you the details you need. Find out about species, fishing regulations specific to the area, and of course stocking information.
Source: https://thekawarthas.ca/hot-tips-kawartha-ice-fishing/
Remember, dress accordingly. Wear breathable clothing and layer, layer, layer. Insulated snow pants and a heavy winter parka are a must. Good gloves, a toque, and a pair of insulated waterproof boots round out the ice fisherman’s most important attire on the ice. You might also want to bring some extra gloves, a balaclava, and a scarf.
Enjoy some ice fishing while there is still time. The weather forecasters are saying spring will happen quickly so please be aware of conditions and be safe.
Bethany Ontario 