OUTDOOR LIVING
Ice Fishing for Lake Whitefish
Duane Radford Article and Photos
As winter sets in on cooped-up seniors, they will no doubt be dreaming about warm, summer days and the joy of just being outdoors, perhaps on a trip with their family or friends.
However, just because it’ s winter doesn’ t mean seniors should stay home. They can always go ice fishing, an enjoyable way to spend time outdoors, socialize with like-minded folks, and maybe even bring home some fish to eat. Ice fishing newbies should target lake whitefish, which can be found in many lakes and reservoirs near virtually all urban centres in Alberta. Whitefish caught on“ hard water” are delicious— one of Canada’ s top table fish— and can be cooked in many different ways. If you’ re new to the game, check out the Edmonton Old Timers Fishing Club or a local Alberta Wildlife Federation club for mentors.
Ice fishing usually starts in December and runs until the end of March, most years. The December bite for lake whitefish can be red hot, on the heels of their spawning period during the late autumn. Just make sure that the ice is safe enough to travel before venturing onto lakes in December or at other times of the year.
Start by drilling a hole near the shore, and then continue with a series of several new ice holes at a right angle to the shoreline, spaced about ten metres apart— known as a transect. An eight-inch power ice auger— available for rent from many fishing supply stores— is ideal because you may have to drill several transects, a tiring
Safety Guidelines for New, Clear Ice
2 " or less- STAY OFF! 4 "- Ice fishing or other activities on foot 5 "- Snowmobile or ATV 8 "– 12 "- Car or small pickup 12 "– 15 "- Medium truck
chore if using a manual hand auger. Start fishing in the first hole and work your way offshore along the transect. Lake whitefish tend to travel in schools searching for food, so locating them is a matter of trial and error. I fish a given hole for about fifteen minutes. If I don’ t get any strikes, I’ ll move on to the next hole until I get a producer. Early morning and late in the day are usually the best times to catch lake whitefish, when light intensity is low.
To stay warm, most ice anglers use a collapsible, portable ice tent, which can be easily moved from one hole to another. The tent also helps stop ice from forming on your line during cold days.
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