Lures used in Ice fishing are of different types and depending upon the type of fish species you wish to catch and the water conditions the lure type also varies. Normally the lures used for ice fishing can also be used during the summer; therefore you don’t need a spare of the basic lures that are used.

Almost all ice anglers have their own choice of lure which they use in all the lakes that they fish in. Here are a few common methods and lures that are used in ice fishing:

• Jigs-These lures come in different size and shape, they are usually heavy to bounce near of off the bottom. Lighter jigs attract the fishes by falling through the water at different rates. Jigs can be used along with baits or only the jigs can be used to lure the fish. They are usually shiny and are coloured brightly to attract the fishes with their movement in the water. They come in all sizes right from a dime size to large ones.

• Spoons- These lures are either thin or shaped or hard bodied or come in the common spoon shape. Their attractive colours and the way they move in water reassemble the bait and this attracts the fish to it. Normally the hard bodied spoons are twisted to look like minnows and are used for a slow fall in deep waters or in jigging rigs. The spoon shape makes it float it the water making it look like minnows moving slowly in the water.

• Plastic lures-as the name suggest it made out of coloured plastic and they come in different shape and size. They can perform as both bait and lure with pre-scenting or can be used in a combination of scent and vibrant colour. These plastic lures are usually shaped like worms, grubs, minnows or bugs and are used with jigging rig near the bottom of the water. These lures are long lasting and can help you catch quite a lot of fishes before having to replace them.

• Tails: You can either attach these to the spoons or spinners or use them as it is as lures. They are made out of plastic and they add action to slow drop fishing. These tails spread out when in water, therefore they slow down the rate at which the lure drops and at the same time they add movement to the water. They come in different colours, shapes, texture all depending upon the type of fish you wish to catch and the water conditions.

There are many types of special ice fishing lures that are available. You can find many new lures via internet and due to the low cost you can have a wide range of lures before you reach your fishing spot.

Winter walleye fishing is growing in popularity all the time. Anglers are learning that ice fishing has many advantages over any other time of the year. For one thing, it is less competition and the walleye are hungry so the odds of them striking your line are greatly increased. It’s easy to find a location to fish and you don’t have a lot of noise scaring the fish away.

Ice fishing does require you have the right equipment before you set out. You don’t want to go out on the ice unprepared. Not only will it prove to be unproductive but it could be dangerous as well. There are different methods used to go ice fishing for walleye and you will have to decide which one works best for you. However, there are certain pieces of equipment that you will need regardless of what method you choose to use.

Basic Equipment Needed for Walleye Ice Fishing

Before you go walleye ice fishing it is important that you have the right equipment. Ice fishing is different from fishing in open waters and so your needs will be different. There are certain items that you will need to have a successful and productive day on the ice. Below you will find a list of ice fishing equipment that is a must for winter walleye anglers.

Fishing Gear – You will need the basic fishing equipment such as the rod, reel and tackle. The medium action graphite rods that range 24 to 28 inches are recommended. Your tackle is very important and most ice anglers will recommend using spoons because the walleye are very attracted to them this time of year.

Shelter – You will need some form of shelter to help protect you from the cold. After all, it is ice fishing. The temperature can drop very low and you need to be prepared. There are several different styles of shelters available. The one you need will depend mainly on the way you intend to fish.

For instance, if you will be moving around a lot you don’t want a large heavy shelter.

Dependable Transportation – Having the ability to move around is very important. The walleye are normally found in large lakes and you will need to move around to find where they are located. With the amount of area that you will need to cover walking is not practical. Therefore, using quads or a snow machine to travel from one location to another is recommended.

Drilling Tools – To ice fish you must drill holes in the ice so you can have a place to put your line in the water. You need a good dependable tool for this. Drilling the hole could be considered the hardest part of all and without the right tools, you could be too tired to actually fish once the hole has been opened up. In normal conditions an 8 or 10 inch auger will get the job done.

as no surprise that more and more people are pitching little know spots for this specialized holiday activity and here’s where Ice fishing in Lac du Bonnet, Manitoba, situated nearly 111 kilometers, or 70 miles north-east from the capital city of Winnipeg, offers.

Lac Du Bonnet gets its quaint name from the shape of the lake (yes, a bonnet-form) that has hosted many national and state fishing tournaments during winters and summers with ice fishing being an age-old tradition for Canadians and Americans with a special love for ice fishing at Lac Du Bonnet. In fact, the reputation of this ice fishing lake is so widely known that even international anglers from all over the world collect here to avail its abundant fishing fun and activities, while booking comfortable and tourist friendly fishing lodges that also offer affordable boarding facilities. There are motels, smaller B&B kind of outfits also at Lac Du Bonnet, but for the winter season, hoteliers prepare extra rooms beyond the needs of its small local group of committed anglers!

The season for Ice fishing in Lac du Bonnet and its nearby waterways usually starts in November; this is the time the ice thickens to nearly 4 inches and there’s no less than 65 miles of water-ways for avid fisherman to scout the right spot for casting a line with an eye to reeling in Sager, Pike, Goldeneye and Mackerel. The waters are ideal for ice fishing in Lac Du Bonnet as the temperatures keep the flesh of the fish firm as compared to the slight murky taste that lingers on in the same varieties fished in the shallow, warm waters in other parts of the region.

Around the middle of March, a one-day Ice fishing Tournament is organized by the local businessman here at Lac du Bonnet; it is divided into several categories and prizes include a mystery length award and mystery time episode besides 50 assorted prizes that further boost the occasion’s fun factor. All in all, a great time for the friends and family you could consider taking on when deciding this year’s winter holiday.

More news on the tournament includes knowing the basics of ice fishing at Lac Duc Bonnet, which involves the catch and release contest, tips on handling the fish to reduce any trauma and the specified boundaries for anglers fishing in the lake and singling a tourney judge upon catching a fish. The whole procedure involves awaiting the judge’s arrival at the fishing hole, pulling the catch out of the water, measuring, recording and freeing the fish into the lake and then entering the mystery time and length to qualify for different divisions of the tournament.

An environment-friendly competition, this tournament for ice fishing held during winters in Lac du Bonnet ensures fun all round for everyone and is unique in itself

Selecting the proper ice fishing rod is essential as you would not want to have problems with your tackle while you are on the water. You should take your time to select the rod as this is one of the most important parts of your fishing gear and will help you in getting your fish.

1. What do you need in an ice fishing rod?
Unlike summer fishing rods the ice fishing rods do not have to be very flexible or strong as you do not have to cast them. However, you should select one that is strong enough to withhold the pull of the fish which might be big and strong. In an ice fishing rod you will have to look out for a drag that is going to be vertical and not the same as a traditional rod. So you have to ensure that it is strong and does not snap off at the end.

Normally most anglers who are very much into ice fishing favor a ice fishing rod that is 28 inches and with a average action and is thought of as a jigging rod. This sort of a rod will be ideal for trout, whitefish and walleye. A rod with a lighter action is suitable for smaller varieties of fish like perch, and a heavier one will be more suitable for the bigger fish like pike or some of the weightier lake trout.

2. Why do you want flexibility in your rod?
If your ice fishing rod does not have enough flexibility and is stiff, you will not feel the bite of the fish on the bait. A sluggish action rod is usually stiff and will have little bend or flexibility. Fish will nibble at the lures and bait during winter and will strike less, and it is essential to feel the fish nibbling on your line. Again if there is too much of flexibility in the rod it will not be very ineffective in hauling the fish towards the top of the lake.

For the use of jigging and artificial bait, the fishing rods are normally mega or fast action rods which allow the fisherman to feel the catch on the line and set the hook. Rods that are made of graphite give a firmer and stronger resilience to reel in the catch with not much bending or the risk of breaking. However, the angler should remember that in very cold temperatures the graphite will become brittle and fragile, so it is wiser for fisherman to get ice fishing rods that are made of fiberglass. They may have to forfeit on sensitivity but get a much more durable tackle.

Lake Simcoe, the 4th largest lake in the province is located right down in the southern region of the Ontario, Canadian province; with huge water area of over 725 square km. Lake Simcoe ice fishing is one of the best in that area which has opportunities for individuals of ever level of age and experience. This lake is ninety miles away from Toronto and it is an easy drive. There are many winter lodges, accommodations and hotels in and around the lake. Since this ice fishing is popular hobby in winter, this lake is home to other winter sports like snowmobile riding and racing, winter hiking, camping, cross country skiing, snow shoeing, etc. Many other local games are also played.

Ice fishing in Lake Simcoe includes pike, whitefish, trout, walleye and ling. The various varieties of fish in this lake are identified with ease by their distinguished features. The following strategies and tips will help and assist those who are keenly interested in ice fishing in Lake Simcoe.

Pike – An aggressive fish is the northern pike. They have a special feature which makes them unmistakable, sharp shape to their head. These pikes also have pronounced and sharp teeth. They are aggressive when they are landed or when the take the bait. Even though they nibble a bit at bait during the winter they are usually aggressive feeders all year round. Pikes are from 2 to 6 feet underneath the ice surface and they follow smaller fish round the lake. Ice fishing in Lake Simcoe is very interesting as these fishes are mobile and lone hunters. So the lake size make sit ideal for moving with these fishes without disturbing the others.

Wall eye- strategy Ice fishing for walleye includes the jigging areas beyond ridges and weeds of vegetation. They are generally found feeding just after dawn and right before dark during the periods of dusk. The walleye usually bite actively at plastic worms and minnows with a lot of action.

Lake trout – The lake trout move throughout the lake for quite a lot over the season. During the beginning of winter the trout tends to feed at 50 to 90 foot depths while the lake moves even deeper into the year and followed by moving into shallow water much closer to thaw spring. Water lake trout feed in the brightest part of the days and this trout in a more shallow area of the lake would feed during the time right before dusk and right after dawn.

White fish – White fish is located in Lake Simcoe by the way of chumming, which most of the people practice in ice fishing season. Chumming includes chopped rice or meat into the water, dropping minnows to keep the fish in an area for two or three days prior to deciding the area to fish. These white fish stay in groups so a hit usually means that there are a lot of fishes in that area. Once they come to know about the bait that heads down to the deep water, white fish which is larger and even more aggressive would swim up to the surface closer incase they feed actively. Scented plastics or chopped minnows (salted) make good lures in feeding whitefish.

Ice fishing in Lake Simcoe has different fishing bait shops, rentals for stay and several tournaments which a fisher would expect when he/she comes for an ice fishing vacation.