Taking the Mystery Out Of Ice Fishing Lure Selection

It is always a bit of a challenge to decide, which is the best ice fishing lure to use in the various lakes. While there is no hard and fast science to lure selection there are some basic factors that anglers can keep in mind when deciding what type of ice fishing lure is likely to attract the most fish. The key in most cases is to have a good selection of the basic lures including spoons, hard bodies, plastic worms and bugs, and bait-type lures to allow you to be able to switch around. Jigs will be a key type of ice fishing lure no matter where you fish, but they may not be a great idea if the bottom is full of a lot of debris and vegetation.

Most seasoned ice fishermen and women will indicate that minnows and live bait is typically the best type of bait to use for the larger species such as pike and bass. If live minnows are too tough to work with in cold temperatures frozen minnows, worms or even bloodworms from bait stores can be very effective as an addition to a lure or as stand alone bait.

Most ice fishing is based on getting the fish in a mood to feed. In the colder, winter weather the fish move to the deeper parts of the lake to stay in the warmer waters. They move slower and have a greatly reduced metabolism which leads to a decrease in the amount that they will actually need to consume. Therefore ice anglers have to be concerned about making their lure look very attractive to the fish, as they will pass on lures and bait that dont look good. Bright, shiny colors with reflection are often an excellent ice fishing lure quality, regardless if it is a spoon or hard-body. Many anglers prefer the brightly colored or even "glow in the dark" options of plastic worms, jigs and hard bodies lures to attract fish in the darker, clear waters.

Fishing in deep weedbeds and where there is a lot of debris requires a special ice fishing lure as well as a special jigging method. Basically a bright colored jig can be dropped into the center of the weedbed. Since hooks will naturally snag on vegetation try using plastic worms or larva on the hooks, and basically stop any jigging or up and down motion to avoid hanging up in the reeds, weeds and submerged logs and debris. The natural movement of the water will cause the jig, which should be floated at least three to six inches off the bottom, to mimic the movement of a minnow or bait fish in the water. Slowly falling spoons and tails do not work as well as an option for an ice fishing lure in weedy conditions as they may snag on the upper edges of the weeds, much higher in the water than the fish are feeding.

Ice Fishing In Lac Du Bonnet Canadian Style

Lac du Bonnet, Manitoba is located almost one hundred and eleven kilometers, which is about 70 miles northeast from the capital city of Winnipeg. Lac du Bonnet is so named because of the bonnet shape of the huge lake that is home to fishing tournaments both in the winter and in the summer months. Ice fishing in Lac du Bonnet is a tradition for both Canadian and American ice fishing enthusiasts, as well as for international anglers. Lac du Bonnet offers may different types of accommodations such as winter fishing lodges, hotels, motels and even smaller bed and breakfasts. Since fishing is a way of life in this small community anglers feel welcome and at home in the friendly community.

Ice fishing in Lac du Bonnet and surrounding waterways typically starts in November when the ice on the lake reaches at least four inches of thickness. There are over sixty-five miles of waterways to fish, so finding that perfect spot is not difficult. The most commonly fished species during the seasonal ice fishing in Lac du Bonnet include pike, pickerel, goldeye and sager. The cold temperatures of the water keep the fish very firm fleshed without the murky or swampy taste that can be found in these species in the warmer and more shallower waters other places in the province.

Ice Fishing In Lac Du Bonnet Tournament

In the spring, typically the middle of March, the local businesses host a tournament for ice fishing in Lac du Bonnet. It is a one day tournament with various categories and prizes including a mystery length prize and mystery time event and up to fifty different prizes which makes it perfect for a family fishing tourney.

The tournament is strictly a catch and release tournament, with specific instructions on how to handle the fish to minimize any trauma or damage. Anglers will be required to stay within specific areas of the lake, and single a tourney judge when they have a fish. The judge will then arrive at the hole, pull the fish from the water, measure, record and release the fish back into the lake. All the judges records will then be entered for the mystery time and length drawing as well as the largest fish and other special prizes. The tourney, considered to be environmentally friendly, is one of the most popular aspects of ice fishing in Lac du Bonnet, bringing in thousands of visitors to the area every year.

Standard ice fishing in Lac du Bonnet is popular throughout the winter season and the lake is dotted with ice fishing shelters and houses. To ensure that you can find accommodation make reservations in advance at one of the local hotels or lodges.

Ice Fishing Hut Rentals

In areas where ice fishing is popular, there are typically some very industrious individuals that will bring together a bunch of ice fishing huts that can be rented for the day, week or even for the season. An ice fishing hut can be of almost any size, level of comfort and price range for rental. Typically commercially made ice fishing huts will include a heating source, often a propane or alternative fuel source heater, many with larger tanks securely mounted to the trailer or sled area of the hut. This is a great feature for setting a comfortable temperature in the ice fishing hut as well as keeping ice from forming on the open waters over the holes. Wooden stoves are common too, although they will require wood to be brought out onto the lake.

If you are planning on renting and ice fishing hut be sure to get a written contract and understand all terms and conditions of the rental. Usually the rental company will bring the hut onto the lake for you, but some may require you move the hut yourself. Be sure to inspect the hut before you move it and record and mark any damage, scratches or other defects that you notice. Point them out to the rental company and ensure that they are correctly identified on the contract.

Padded benches and those additional features can really be a great idea, especially if you are bringing the family out ice fishing. Windows or electrical lighting, typically run of car batteries or large cell batteries really help keep the area bright inside. Ice fishing huts that are darker inside have the added benefit of allowing anglers to see deep into the water, helping to identify fish and movement within the water.

Often snow and ice glare is just as much of a factor in discomfort in ice fishing as is the cold weather. The extreme glare of the sun off the white surface can damage your eyes, even with good quality sunglasses. Fishing from a hut completely eliminates the glare as well as provides the windbreak needed to weather even high wind conditions in relative comfort.

Disadvantages

There are few disadvantages to using an ice fishing hut, but the biggest one is the lack of mobility. Once the ice fishing hut is set up, it is really time consuming to secure everything to move to a new spot. Since some species fish such as perch and walleye tend to move around considerably in the lake, a stationary hut can often limit the angler's ability to move around on the lake. In situations like this a smaller, portable tent style ice fishing shelter may be a great option.

Renting Ice Fishing Houses

If you are trying out a new lake or are not a frequent winter angler an ideal way to save a bit of money and still stay comfortable out on the ice is by renting one of the many different styles of ice fishing houses. Ice fishing houses are permanent shelters on the ice, and are not designed to be moved frequently like ice fishing shelters.

When considering a day or two out on the lake, check with local fishing stores or bait shops and find out if there are rental ice fishing houses. Some rental companies will have the houses already on the lake and they are available for rental for the full season, or just for a weekend or day while the season is open. The advantage of ice fishing houses over shelters is that they are usually larger, easier to heat and maintain, and have all the comforts of home. Ice fishing houses may have sleeping areas, stoves and heaters, windows and even tables for your comfort and convenience.

In renting ice fishing houses there are some questions that should be asked and some information that you should have. Some of the basic considerations include:

A written contract agreement that includes topics such as cancellation policies, insurance on the building if required, damage issues, safety information and exact costs of the rental for the time period. If the house is being rented for the season, what is the season defined as in the agreement?

Be sure to complete an inspection of the ice fishing house with the owner, including recording and structural or cosmetic damage that you note before renting the structure. This would include any items that are damaged, broken or missing.

Clearly understand who is responsible for getting the ice fishing houses on or off the lake, and if there are any restrictions on where they can be located. The owner is usually someone that knows the lake, so they can often make recommendations as to where the best options for fishing are.

Discuss any issues with regards to locking up, ice fishing houses and security, and who has access to the house. If you are renting for a full season this is more important than a day or weekend rental.

Finally when renting ice fishing houses it is a great idea to do a bit of research. Be sure to read the reviews from other anglers and ask around for the best possible rental company before deciding on ice fishing houses.

Pamper Yourself With A Custom Designed Ice Fishing House

Let's face it, being out on the can sometimes include long periods of waiting for the fish to decide to bite, or in just patiently trying different lures and bait to get some fishing action. In the cold weather even short waits can seem like an eternity, but being warm and comfortable in your own ice fishing house can make all the difference in the world.

An ice fishing house is designed to be a permanent shelter, at least for a season, and is not designed to be mobile or portable like a shanty or ice fishing shelter is. Ice fishing houses often are build on trailer frames and are permanently mounted to the frame to allow anglers to simple hook the trailer hitch to the truck and drive out on the ice to locate the ice fishing house in a good location. Ice fishing houses may also be on skids or on a sled like base that allows for easy towing onto the ice.

Some of the more "creature comforts" available in a permanently located ice fishing house include:

Bench seats or even padded couches for comfort when monitoring the ice fishing holes.

Propane, natural gas or wood heaters that are vented and properly mounted off the ground in the ice fishing house to allow for temperature adjustment and constant temperature maintenance.

Cooking area including a stove, table and even electrical lighting that can run off of car batteries or off of an inverter hooked to a generator or car engine for recharging.

Gas powered generators for all the electrical power required. All that is needed is a can of gasoline brought to the ice fishing house when required.

Fully stocked supplies for first aid, food and additional gear and supplies.

Sleeping area for weekend or overnight stays.

Basically an ice fishing house can be as Spartan or as deluxe as the angler wishes. It is important to consider the weight of the ice fishing house and to monitor the ice conditions at all times to prevent weakening or damaging the ice under the house potentially leading to risks of breaking through the ice. Ice fishing houses need to be removed off the ice at the first signs of spring thaw as most locations will require the owner or renter to pay for the recovery of the house should it sink into the lake.

Dress For the Weather Choosing Ice Fishing Gear

Dressing warm and staying warm while out on the ice is a big consideration, so getting the right ice fishing gear is important in making your day pleasant and comfortable. Not only are the new moisture wicking fabrics on the market great for assisting in keeping the fisherman dry, but the ultra light and very insulating microfibers are excellent at holding in heat and providing maximum strength wind resistance.

Dress in Layers

The key to choosing ice fishing gear that will keep you warm and dry is to focus on dressing in layers, rather than in selecting one heavy or bulking item to try to do everything. Obviously the inner layers should be designed to keep moisture and perspiration away from your skin, then the next layer should be for insulation, followed by a final layer for wind and moisture resistance from the outside. Each layer of ice fishing gear is critical in preventing hypothermia from setting in on those long hours out on the ice. Even if you have a shanty or ice fishing tent or shelter it is always important to dress fully prepared to get back to shore and to spend time out on the ice in the event of an emergency or blizzard that prevents you from getting back to your vehicle or the shoreline.

The following ice fishing gear is a must:

Moisture wicking underlayer most sports stores sell moisture wicking clothing for work-outs in the gym, and this can double up for a good under layer for winter. The polypropylene fabric actually draws the moisture away from the skin, preventing that damp feeling that often is seen with cotton. Once your skin gets damp, the cold is much more intense and uncomfortable.

Warming layer there are many traditional fabrics that work great as the warming or insulating layer of your ice fishing gear. Wool, fleece and even down items can be used. Remember if you are using wool or fleece they will need to have a wind breaking fabric such as a nylon blend on one side to prevent the wind and outside moisture from getting in. Microfiber has become increasingly popular because it is both lightweight and very warm, with water resistance to top it all off.

Water and wind resistance layer nylon or leather can be used to act as a wind breaking outer shell, with nylon being much lighter and easy to carry as an extra only to be used if required. Many of the nylon windbreakers or shells fold into clip on pouches, ideal for packing into tackle boxes for use when needed.

Foot Protection waterproof rubberized boots with a removable felt liner are a great idea when combined with moisture wicking socks and sports socks. If you have room take an extra pair of felt liners if your feet tend to give off a lot of moisture.

In addition goggles, scarves, face-masks or wool hats with ear flaps are important to keep your head dry and warm, even if your jacket has a hood. Mitts, gloves and hand warmer packets are great ideas to add to your ice fishing gear.