With the recent temperature drops and wind chill reaching lows of minus 30 C, most people are huddled indoors by their fireplace avoiding the outdoors altogether. You will still find loads of anglers out on the ice taking advantage of the early ice season with so many fishing opportunities in the region.
I have been one of those crazy people out on the ice, baring the elements to chase fish and create some new memories. Each year I strive to spend time targeting new species, or fish that I haven’t fished for as frequently. This season I have stepped back from walleye a bit, and have been spending some time in pursuit of trout.
The Land O’ Lakes Region offers year-round trout fishing opportunities, as there are several stocked lakes. Be sure to check the Ontario Fishing Regulations booklet to find out more about these opportunities. These stocked fisheries, often referred to as ‘put-and-take lakes,’ can be great for catching numbers of fish and also offer some decent-sized catches. Whether you’re fishing for a meal or a trophy, it’s a great way to get outside in the winter and get your fishing fix.
As always when I talk ice fishing, I must mention safety. A spud, ice picks and a flotation suit are must-have items when venturing out onto the ice. Flashers and GPS devices as well as head-lamps, propane heaters and portable shelters make life much easier in the cold, and way more comfortable. Why suffer and shiver when you can fish in comfort? It’s a no-brainer.
My first lake trout outing this season was on New Year’s Day. I fell asleep before midnight on the couch on New Year’s Eve, and then rang in the new year targeting lakers. These fish are the most aggressive that I have caught through the ice. They are a cold-water species and thrive in low water temperatures. Most fish become lethargic during the winter, but lakers really get fired up. They roam deep holes in search of smelt to feed on, and can be found suspended or on bottom.
A steep drop in 50 feet of water was my first spot to try. I marked two fish but neither were very interested in my presentation. I tried a variety of lures but still no action from the trout.
I made a move further towards the drop and set up in 60 feet of water. Right off the hop I was marking fish and could tell on my MarCum LX-9 flasher that I was on a very steep slope. Several fish were passing through and had some interest in my Rippin’ Rap. Some fish were rising off bottom and rushing towards it, but then stopping and slowly slipping away.
I felt that the flash and fast action was bringing them in, but maybe the rattle was too much. I switched to a blade-bait and let it drop all the way to bottom and began lifting and creating a fluttering action. It wasn’t long before a fish spotted it and rushed it. This time there was no question about it — the laker crushed it and I landed my first fish of 2014!
My next day off brought me back to target lakers again. I started off with the Rippin’ Rap to see if there were fish in the area. This lure is one of my go-to fish locators that I typically use to call fish in. My technique is dropping it slowly to bottom and lifting slowly and then switching it up to quick rips a few feet off bottom until I start marking fish on my flasher.
I tried several presentations on my latest outing but found success on the Luhr Jensen Krocodile spoon. I dropped it to bottom and began lifting and fluttering about eight feet off bottom, when I had a fish shoot right up to it. I continued to lift the spoon away from the fish. It backed down twice but came back up and finally on the third lift it ate it. This spoon has a great fluttering action and has also worked well for me on walleye. It’s thick with a hard finish so it doesn’t get chipped on these aggressive fish.
My goal this ice season is to land five different species of trout: lake, brook, splake, rainbow and brown. I will keep you up to date on my progress.
Ashley Rae is a multi-species angler from the Bay of Quinte area. Follow her fishing adventures through her website and social media. http://www.SheLovesToFish.com