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More on ice fishing

Doug Porter's regular column to the Free Press
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Burbot is one of the main fish you can find in South Cariboo lakes during the winter. They are known to inhabit deeper waters during the day and head to the shallows at night to forage for food. (File photo)

My last two columns about ice fishing were specific to chasing kokanee.  Since it is the season with a lot of anglers anxious to get out on the ice this time of year, I thought I would continue with this hard water theme.

This is a reminder that there are a few other species that people target this time of year in addition to kokanee. They are rainbow trout, lake trout, brook trout, and burbot (also known as freshwater ling cod). While those who spend a lot of time chasing these different species are all too familiar with their habits and preferences, there may be some readers who are just starting out ice fishing. Of course, the best way to become successful at any endeavour is to go with someone with experience, talk to local sporting goods dealers, and then just go out and do it.  Something that must be kept in mind though is where to begin to look for these different species.

This time of year, rainbow trout and brook trout can be found feeding in the shallows, up to three meters in depth.  They can be observed through the ice hole coming and examining your offerings and a lot of times just outright refusing what is on the end of a line.  Be prepared to lay on the ice, often putting a cover over your head so the fish can be seen down the hole. Locating the correct spot to drill an ice hole is critical to success. This is where the experience comes in. 

If one is just starting out ice fishing, then the best thing is to go with someone who knows the lake.  If that is not possible, go to a known ice fishing lake and check where others are fishing or see where holes have been drilled before.  Always look for signs of blood on the ice as this is most often a good indicator of some other angler’s success. 

There are a variety of baits that can be used successfully, including various power baits, krill, shrimp (according to one source, fresh is the best), worms, and maggots. Not much different than kokanee fishing in that respect.  Of course, there is a lot of controversy about the best time of day to fish but, unfortunately, I cannot address that with any certainty, although a lot of angers I know prefer early in the morning.

Burbot are by nature nocturnal feeders, so are for the most part targeted at night in different depths.  They are known to inhabit deeper waters and head to the shallows at night to forage for minnows. The exception to this rule is when they are spawning in late February and into March where they hang over weed beds where eggs are deposited. 

I have heard people talk about various lures, and baits such as shrimp and even liver to target these fish. Since they are bottom feeders, offerings must be presented close to the bottom. These freshwater lings are preferred by a lot of folks as the tastiest fish found in our local lakes. 

Once caught, they are skinned by nailing their heads to a board, cutting the skin all the way around just behind the head, and pulling the skin off with a pair of pliers. What remains are some mighty tasty fillets.

Lake trout are sometimes more difficult to catch as they can be found close to the bottom of the lakes they inhabit, quite often in depths exceeding 60 feet.  Again, they can be taken on a variety of different lures including jigs and a wide assortment of bait.

The use of a sounder or fish finder is essential to find these fish. More experienced lake trout fishers have favourite spots they return to each winter that have been proven productive in the past. It is not uncommon for “lakers” to exceed 25 pounds in weight.

When targeting any of these species, it is important to talk to local sporting goods outlets or seek out the advice of an experienced angler and do a little more research on the habits and preferences of each different fish species. As always, dress for the weather, check the ice depth, have the right gear for the species being targeted and, if possible, go with another angler or to a place where other anglers are gathered. Be prepared! 

As an aside, lake trout and burbot are not stocked, so be judicious in how many are taken home for the table.