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Five Things to Know Before You Go Ice Fishing This Winter
With winter upon us, many people in the northern states of the U.S. and in Canada are getting ready for ice fishing season. Ice fishing can be a great, relaxing sports that gives us something to do in the colder months of the year, but it can also be a safety hazard – after all, you’ll be sitting on a sheet of ice! If you want to make sure that you enjoy your ice fishing this winter, without compromising your safety, these five tips should be a good start.
1. Know the ice strength, and only go one the ice when you know it’s safe. There will be signs up all winter warning you about the strength of the ice, so pay heed to them. A good rule of thumb for knowing whether ice is strong enough is looking out and seeing if other people with more weight – people and equipment – are out there already and have been for a while. You’ll want to make sure the ice is strong, so it’s a good idea to be patient and wait for it rather than risk falling in. (Do remember, however, that early in the season, “first ice” tends to be stronger, as ice later in the season can be more rotten.)
2. Know what effects ice strength. Whether or not the ice can hold you isn’t only about its thickness – after all, wind conditions can make ice thicker in one area and less thick in another. The current under the ice, the wind, underwater plants, and the time the ice formed during the season will all have an effect on the quality of the ice.3. Don’t explore. It might be tempting to get all the fish that other people are missing by venturing out on your own and exploring ice yourself, but this can be incredibly dangerous and it’s highly recommended. Remember: fools rush in where angels dare to tread. It’s better to know that a lake’s ice can support weight.
4. Wear wool as the layer on your skin. Wool retains its insulating properties even when wet, so if you do fall in the water, you’ll want to be wearing wool. On the outside of your body, you’ll want to have something water-resistant to keep you dry.
5. If you do have an issue with the ice, stay calm. Don’t panic even when the situation seems to call for it – panicking can make a bad situation worse. Instead, educate yourself further on how to handle ice in a difficult situation. A calm head will help you keep your wits about you.
This article is by no means a comprehensive safety guide to ice fishing. Ice fishing is a more complicated and risky sport for that. But hopefully these tips will help you understand that ice fishing isn’t only about understanding how thick the ice is.
Photo Credits: Vince Alongi
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Canadian Fishing Excursions
Canada is on the top of the list when it comes to monumental fishing. Canadian fishing trips guarantee any fisher unlimited fishing options that are jam packed with thrilling and fun filled adventure. The lakes are pristine, the rivers are meant for fly fishing, and there is a nearby spot for any type of fishing that you may have in mind. The opportunities are endless. Canada is full of various waters including rivers, lakes and anything in between. You should know which waters that you prefer before book an excursion. The weather in Canada is uncertain so if you head to some of the desolate fishing areas are sure to include a small survival kit that includes first aid materials along with everything that you will need to fish. Many fishermen rely on seasons to dictate what type of fishing they will enjoy so since Canada has four seasons you might want to make that a consideration as well. Feel confident to fish for sturgeon year round but fish such as salmon and trout vary from region to region. Other fish seem to have peak seasons but the locals will be glad to assist you in any questions about fishing.
If you are looking for some great salmon fishing then it is recommended that you head to British Columbia’s Fraser Valley. Another place that salmon are always running is in Vancouver Island’s west coast. It is also wise to explore the options at Selwyn Lake, Black Lake, and Misaw Lake because they are hot fishing spots too. Most that vacation in Canada are there to fish, this includes the novice and seasoned anglers alike. There is no other fishing experience quite like the one Canada can offer. There are a number of tour guides that can help you meet any preference and there are ample lodging accommodations as well including numerous wilderness lodges, hotels, resorts, and B&B’s, many of which host fishing tours. All of the information is available to you on the Internet.If you are interested in catching trophy fishing then Canada is the place for you to enjoy your fishing excursion you will never forget. Because of Canada’s limited population many areas for fishing are very secluded and out of the way from most people. Canada is very sparsely populated and therefore has pristine fishing locations in areas that are remote from human inhabitants. The Canadian lakes are filled with sport fish because of the low pollution levels which is much lower than other countries.
When you go to Canada for fishing this is what you should expect, ample fishing for northern pike, brook trout, Atlantic salmon, rainbows, Coho, arctic char, steelhead, king salmon, lake trout, Muskie, walleye, and bass. From one end of Canada to the other there are so many Canadian fishing lodges and numerous resorts that thrive on making your fishing vacation one that you will not soon forget. While you are there consider a fishing charter so the captain can put you right on those fish and you will easily be able to catch your limit in no time.
