Fish shack on Carson Lake Photo: Sharon Gardiner
Now that we are in the grip of a Valley winter, trolling for lakers becomes more and more difficult. Ice fishing enthusiasts are out in force and fishing huts are dotting our frozen waterways. Our area is Fisheries Management Zone 15 and fishing regulations are now available in the Ontario Fishing Regulations Summary for 2018 and online. In general, you may use two lines through the ice as long as you are attending them and they are within 60 metres (197 feet) of each other and you have an unobstructed view of both lines.
There are exceptions to these regulations. As examples, on some lakes you are permitted only one line through the ice, there are slot limits for some species on some lakes, fishing with live bait fish is prohibited on some lakes. Catch and possession limits vary by species and by type of fishing licence. More than 100 lakes in Zone 15 have brook trout or lake trout fishing all year round. Always check the regulations for the waterbody you intend to fish.
Be safe! Remember, ice does not freeze at a uniform thickness. Near shore ice is often thicker than ice further out. Check the ice thickness frequently as you move further out. Enjoy those clear blue skies and time fishing with friends and family. Don’t be concerned if you don’t catch the BIG ONE because the hole is too small – I’ll look after them in the spring.
Regulations do not allow fires on the ice. For the sake of all fishing enthusiasts, please respect private property (Crown Land too, for that matter). If you want to use private land, please ask permission – landowners around here are very friendly and you will find that they appreciate knowing what you want to do.
It will be interesting to hear how the good the fishing is on Round Lake (near Killaloe) this winter. The partnership with MNRF to stock Round Lake with fall fingerlings hatched from eggs taken from lakers native to the lake has been very productive and we’ll see how that translates to the fishing experience.
About the author: Al is a long time seasonal resident near Barry’s Bay. Trout are his favourite fish, though he does not fish for them through the ice. He remembers people being lifted off ice-floes on Lake Simcoe by helicopter, and now he likes to keep one foot on the shore.
