It’s winter in Canada, which means that it may be time to put your fishing boat away for the season. However, there’s no reason for the Canadian fisherman to dread below-freezing temperatures!

When we think of Canadian winters and our favourite national pastimes, we may think of recreational sports like hockey. But what about ice fishing?

Ice fishing is incredibly popular in Canada, home to the largest ice fishing competition in North America! The only thing to keep in mind is that ice fishing requires tools and presents challenges that regular fishing doesn’t. That’s why we’ve put together this beginner’s guide full of the most important ice fishing tips!

Read on to learn everything from the bait you’ll want to pack for your ice fishing trip to the areas you’re likely to find the most fish in the wintertime.

What to Pack for Your Ice Fishing Excursion

Preparing for your ice fishing trip is incredibly important. A well-planned ice fishing trip is perfectly safe, but if you don’t have the right gear, those low temperatures and icy conditions can become hazardous!

Some equipment is optional, and their necessity will depend on the conditions you’re going fishing in. For example, if you know that you’re looking for some ice fishing spots off the beaten path, you may want to invest in an ATV so you can make the journey more accessible. Others, like safety equipment and the right clothing, are a must!

Let’s take a closer look at what you’ll need for your next ice fishing trip.

Safety Equipment

One of the most common ice fishing injuries is minor orthopedic or musculoskeletal trauma. This tends to occur when fishermen slip on the ice and fall, so metal cleats are necessary. These can give you the traction you need to stay upright on the ice.

In addition, you will need:

• A whistle to signal for help
• An ice spud to check the ice ahead of you before stepping onto it (safe ice will make a solid knocking sound when struck with an ice spud)
• A life vest to be worn at all times when on the ice
• Warm clothing, which we will discuss in greater detail below

Each person on your ice fishing trip should come prepared with everything on this list. If you only have one ice spud, it is important that the other fishermen do not stray to unchecked areas on the ice.

Ice Fishing Gear

What will you need to start catching those fish? We’ll talk about the equipment you’ll need to break through the ice and set up camp, as well as the gear you’ll need to land the perfect catch!

First, you will need:

• An ice auger to create your fishing hole
• An ice scoop to remove the slush and broken ice from your fishing hole
• A durable folding chair to set up close to your fishing hole.
• A bucket to store your catch

If you’re heading to an established ice shanty, you may find that some of these essentials are already there. You can also find portable ice shanties on the market, allowing you a little extra shelter no matter where you decide to fish.

The fishing gear you bring may vary based on your preferred method of fishing, but a basic ice fishing starter pack includes:

• A small jigging rod, about 2 to 3 feet long, with fluoro line or a tip-up
• Spring bobbers
• Leader
• Hooks
• Lures and/or bait
• Jigs

Many ice fishermen find that using a fish picker makes securing their catch a little bit easier. If you don’t have a fish picker on hand, don’t sweat it! You may find that you have no problem without one.

Ice Fishing Bait

Just like you’ll find in the standard freshwater fishing community, there’s often a big debate between using bait or lures to ice fish. The reality is that both are suitable and have their own list of pros and cons.

If you want to use bait to ice fish, you’re going to want to get some small minnows, wax worms, or maggots. Fresh bait is effective because fish are always looking for a nice meal. However, if your fishing hole isn’t located directly above your catch, it may take them some time to notice your offering.

Lures also work perfectly well for ice fishing. Some ice fishers prefer them because they are eye-catching and may reduce your need to relocate several times. However, a lure isn’t always as attractive to a fish as fresh bait.

Many ice fishers like to come equipped with both fresh bait and lures. Having various options gives you the chance to play around and see what works best for the fish!

Look the Part: What to Wear When Ice Fishing

If you’re going to spend a great deal of time outdoors in the winter, it’s always important to protect yourself from hypothermia. (How do you know if you have it? Symptoms include shivering, slurred speech, loss of feeling in limbs, loss of consciousness, weak pulse, and more.)

Layering up is the way to go! You’ll want to wear:

• Long johns
• Layered t-shirts
• Waterproof pants
• A waterproof jacket
• Two pairs of wool socks
• Gloves
• Rubber-soled boots

When you purchase your boots and metal cleats, give them a test run before heading out for your fishing excursion. Make sure that the cleats fit over your boots without being loose. Your boots should not slide in the cleats.

Finding a Good Spot to Set Up

Now that you have an idea of the basic equipment you’ll need to bring on your ice fishing excursion, let’s talk a little bit about some tips and tricks you’ll need once you’re out on the ice. We’ll go over checking the ice for safety and locating your catch of the day.

How Do You Know the Ice Is Safe?

To some degree, you can test the safety of the ice you’re standing on based on the density of the ice. The basic rule of thumb is that four inches of ice are enough to hold a person, which means you can set up your chair and start fishing anywhere that the ice is at least four inches thick.

If you’re using a snow machine, snowmobile, or ATV, the ice should be at least six inches thick. A light car is safe on ice at least seven inches thick, although twelve inches are safest.

To test the thickness of the ice, you can use your auger or a spud bar to pierce the ice. Ensure that you are the only person standing on the ice you are testing before bringing out other fishermen or vehicles.

One thing you’ll need to look out for is rotten ice! Rotten ice is usually discoloured or cracked, or it may have water flowing through it. If it looks rotten, head the other way!

Where Can You Find the Catch of the Day?

If the ice is still young, your fish probably haven’t gone far from where they were earlier in the season. If you’re charting familiar waters, turn on your fish finder and head for the spots where you’ve logged fish in the past few months.

If it’s later into the season, ask the folks at the closest bait and tackle shop if they have any leads. Fish tend to head for deeper waters when things get chilly, and bigger fish tend to linger near steep shorelines.

Ice Fishing Methods to Try This Winter

Seasoned ice fishermen may do some spearfishing and clubbing, but for now, let’s stick with the basics!

Jigging with a spring bobber is one of the best ways to catch fish in icy waters. The spring bobber is light and mirrors the movement of your bait down below, so you’ll notice a hooked fish right away. Fluoro lines are best because they’re hard to detect even in icy water and tend to stay tangle-free!

If you’ve got a few fishing holes open, setting up some tip-ups is a great way to take advantage of all of them at once. Tip-ups allow you to suspend the bait at a set location, and you’ll see if a fish took the bait even if you’re not touching the device. Once you notice your tip-up bobbing up and down, head over and start pulling the line hand over hand.

Don’t Let the Winter Months Stop You From Fishing!

This winter, don’t feel blue about putting your boat away for the season. Take advantage of frozen waters and try your hand at ice fishing! You may just find that it’s the best way to pass the time during those long, cold months–and hey, you may even be ready for the largest ice fishing championship in North America!

At Westshore Marine & Leisure, we provide adventure-loves with the tools of the trade. Contact us to find out more about our fishing boats, ATVs, and other vehicles.