Ice Fishing Have you tried it?
By James Didnower
Ice fishing is a great way to introduce new anglers and children to the joys of fishing, and to the
outdoors. Dozens of area lakes, including such popular angling destinations as Sturgeon, Balsam, Buckhorn, Chemong, and Rice Lake, see winter fishing seasons for bluegill, yellow perch and black crappie. The Walleye season is generally closed during the winter in FMZ 17, however, there are some exceptions including Crowe Lake and parts of the Trent River. That said, be sure to always check the regulations before heading out. Year round fishing is in place for yellow perch, crappie bluegill and northern pike. Sunfish catch limits are included in the regulations. Panfish are important for introducing new anglers to fishing. The regulations are included in the Fishing Regulations Summary, www. ontario.ca/fishing For more information, visit www.ofah.org.
TackleShare Program
Are you eager to experience the excitement of fishing but don’t have your own equipment? If so, OFAH/OPG TackleShare is your answer! This program is designed to lend fishing rods, reels and basic tackle to children and novice anglers who do not have their own fishing equipment and want to experience the excitement of fishing. It allows thousands of new anglers to become involved in recreational fishing and gives new and young anglers the opportunity to go fishing at no cost. TackleShare provides the equipment and knowledge to get started. Participating anglers simply sign out a rod and reel, as well as an assortment of tackle in the same way that they would borrow library material. The OFAH/OPG TackleShare program has more than 140 loaner sites, which can be found at participating Ontario Parks, public libraries, conservation authorities, Big Brothers and Big Sisters and other community organizations. Children and new anglers can sign out a rod and reel and an assortment of tackle the same way they would borrow library materials. To learn more, go to www.tackleshare.com The key to ice fishing is to play it safe. If you are unsure about ice conditions, ask at the bait shops or just don’t go out on the ice! Page 30
