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

Here are some quick tips to help keep your head above the ice:

Ice does not freeze at a uniform thickness across most lakes and rivers. This can be particularly evident at the start of the winter season when near shore ice is often much thicker and safer than ice further out. Anglers should check thickness regularly with a spud bar or auger as they move farther out on the ice. When ice is building, it makes a booming sound.

Ice that forms over flowing water, springs, pressure cracks, old ice holes or around the mouths of rivers and streams can be weaker than surrounding ice.

The strongest ice is clear blue in colour. White or opaque ice is much weaker. Ice with a honeycombed look, common during thaws or in the spring, should be avoided.

When travelling on frozen lakes or rivers with snowmobiles or vehicles, added precautions must be taken. At least 20 centimetres (eight inches) of clear blue ice is required for snowmobiles and 30 centimetres (12 inches) or more is needed for most light vehicles. Double these amounts if the ice is white or opaque.

A layer of heavy snow on a frozen lake or river can insulate the ice below and slow down freezing. Never ice fish alone.

Ontario Family Fishing Events No Licence Required!

Ontario Family Fishing Events are an opportunity to fish without the otherwise mandatory fishing version outdoors card. There are 4 license-free dates in 2020:

February 15 – 17

May 9 – 10

June 20 – 21

July 4 – 12, 2020

During all other time periods, Canadian residents between the ages of 18 and 64 years must purchase a valid fishing license to legally fish in Ontario.

Participants fishing without a license must fish under the Conservation fishing license limits which are set out in the current Ontario Recreational Fishing Regulations Summary. With the exception of the licensing requirement, Ontario fishing regulations, fees and limits continue to apply during license-free days. Printed copies of the summary are available at licence issuers and ServiceOntario Centres.

The key to ice fishing is to play it safe. If you are unsure about ice conditions, as at the bait shops or just don't go out on the Ice!