There is something to be proud of, the origin of this fishing probably comes from the Amerindians, or more particularly the Algonquins, right here in Quebec!
Ice fishing is a very interesting activity but it should not be taken lightly since walking on the ice is a danger in itself.
That's why we decided to interview a friend/ice fishing expert, Ben Laliberté.
(Find his Instagram page right here )
The following lines will help you understand the basics of this very particular type of fishing.
All right Ben, thank you very much for playing the game. Tell us a bit about yourself!
Answer: Thank you very much! I'm 20 years old, I come from Saint-Lazare, a small town in the suburbs of Montreal and I'm a big fan of hunting and fishing. However, I do not come from a large family of fisherman or hunter, it all started with social networks and hunter friends who transmitted their passion to me. I started ice fishing a few years ago, whenever I get the chance to go fishing, I go. Even if it's just to catch a yellow perch, I'm always up for it.
Let's say I want to take my family fishing. Are there any all-inclusive places to ice fish without having to buy specific equipment?
Answer: Yes of course, close to Quebec, there is the Nordic Village at Bassin Louise, then Duchesnay Bay at Lac Saint-Joseph (CATSHALAC). There is also the small fish of the channels, in Ste-Anne-de-la-Pérade which offers Atlantic tomcod fishing in fishing huts.
The goal is quite simple, to catch fish. What makes ice fishing so fun?
Answer: It's hard to explain why I love being on a cold frozen lake so much, but I find it so exciting to have a fish on the end of a rod. It's a feeling that I love! I also like the fact of prospecting a lake with the bathymetries and finding a place that there could possibly be fish and then walking to the location and catching a nice fish. It gives me a huge sense of accomplishment, even if I put the fish back in the water. It is also a time to relax and have a good time in nature and in the sun with friends and family. A big advantage of ice fishing is that unlike fishing in the summer, it is very easy to bring children and people who have never fished, since no boat is required and the minimal equipment necessary is less.
Personally, I'm afraid that the ice will break under my feet, do you have any advice for me to make my experience 100% safe?
Reply: Hahaha well yes! We must always be safe on the ice, because accidents can happen quickly, especially at the beginning and end of the winter season. An important rule to know is that below 3 inches thick, you never venture on the ice. Some will say that 3 inches of ice is enough to support a human, but I rather consider that from 4 inches of ice, it is safe to walk on it, especially if the latter is transparent, because it is the ice more solid. A minimum of 5 inches of ice is needed for a snowmobile or ATV and 8-12 inches of ice can support a car. First, before venturing onto an unfamiliar lake, it is important to know where the water inlets and outlets are by asking someone who knows the lake or by checking on Google Maps, because some dumps might not freeze or the thickness of the ice might be very thin there, but you might not be able to see it because of the snow covering it. Once there, testing the ice is essential. Especially at the start of the season, it is important to test the ice in front of you, as you go, with an ice pick or an axe. In the middle of the season, when you know the ice is safe, it is still important to test the ice at least once to be certain. To be even safer, it is possible to get small ice picks that you can put around your neck and which are used to grip the ice in order to hoist yourself out of the water if an accident occurs. These picks are really inexpensive and can save a life! Finally, if you become a fan of ice fishing, it is possible to buy a fishing suit with integrated buoyancy capacity, which, in the event of a fall, can last you up to 1 hour depending on the suit, in addition to to be very warm and waterproof. However, it takes a few hundred dollars to get one.
I want to venture on a lake and go fishing tomorrow, what does it take me minimally?
Reply: Something to break through the ice is essential! When the ice is not very thick, you can make holes with an axe, but otherwise a manual ice digger is affordable and will allow you to make a nice hole for fishing. A ladle is also useful for removing snow and slush from your hole, because over time the hole tends to freeze and want to close if it is not cleaned. Obviously, you need a few lures and a way to present them, so either a tackle or an ice fishing rod. Finally, a sled is not essential, but it can be useful, because with a sled it is much easier to bring all your equipment.
Does it take a big budget to start ice fishing? Definitely my traditional fishing stocks won't do.
Answer: Honestly, it is possible to practice ice fishing on a fairly small budget! If we consider the 4 essential things I mentioned earlier, namely a manual terrier, a ladle, lures and something to present them, we can talk about 150 dollars for a basic kit, and even less if you make your holes with an ax and if you reuse some lures for summer fishing that you already have. For example, a hand drill can cost around $70, a small jigging rod $30, and a ladle $7. Obviously all of this is variable, it can be cheaper or more expensive depending on your preferences.
Winter hits hard there. Do you have any tips for me to stay warm?
Answer: Hahah, well yes if you want the ice to freeze it must be quite cold, but ice fishermen don't stop there! The first thing I suggest to you is to put on a good base layer (jumpsuits) with a coat and overalls. Second advice, above all not dress too warmly before leaving for your spot! It often happened that I overdressed myself before leaving, then with my sled full of stock, got all wet with sweat on the way to my fishing spot, which caused me to be frozen afterwards. So you can dress a little, then bring your warmest pieces of linen to put them on the spot. Finally, good warm and waterproof boots are important if you want to be comfortable. A good hot drink can also be very nice between two fish to warm you up!
Which species are easily accessible and relatively easy to fish?
Answer: It's easy to fish for stocked trout in the places mentioned above! In terms of native species, I would say yellow perch is the most accessible species and the easiest to fish on the ice. For a little more challenge, walleye and pike are very pleasant fish to fish.
Clearly, it seems trippy how you talk to me about it, I want to afford the big luxury, what is available to me?
Answer: Sure, like summer fishing, there is no end to ice fishing equipment. Depending on what type of fishing you want to do, there are several options. Luxury is a tent or cabin with a heater to keep warm. Luxury is also an electric or gas drill that will allow you to make beautiful holes effortlessly. Also, a flasher (sonar) made for ice fishing is a big game changer on the ice! Especially when it's a GPS sonar with an integrated bathymetric map like the Hummingbird Helix 5, or the Stricker 5 from Garmin. I'll stop here because I could talk about this for a very long time, but in short, the possibilities are endless!
What are the advantages of having brimbales? And those to have a rod with reels?
Answer: First, the brimbales are easier for a child to use. The rods are quite fragile, so transport is a little more difficult than a brimbale. Ice fishing rods vary between 20 and 45 inches in length and are definitely more fun to use for the slightly more experienced angler, as there is sensitivity, so fewer bites are missed. In addition, with a rod, fights with fish are very pleasant.
On that note, drill some holes and go fishing!
Couldn't say it better Ben, thank you so much.
We have the opportunity to have hundreds and hundreds of fishable and accessible lakes in Quebec. Now is the time to take advantage of it in summer and winter.
Do not hesitate to write to us for more information, it makes us and will always be a great pleasure to talk to you.
Now it's up to you.
Good day and good fishing!