Ice Fishing

Ice fishing is a popular Canadian winter past time enjoyed by all ages and Northumberland offers it big time.

Rice Lake has year-round fishing for panfish such as perch, crappie and bluegill and an extended fishing season for bass and muskie. Check the zone 17 fishing regulations for limits and exceptions before heading out. Live bait and tackle can be bought at Shines Live Bait on County Road 45 north of Cobourg (905 372-7253) or right at Rice Lake at BJ's Tackle in Bewdley (905 797-2632).

If you don't have a fishing license and would like to try ice fishing for the first time, Canadian residents can enjoy fishing license free during the annual Ontario Family Fishing Weekends: Family Day, Canada Day, Mother's Day and Father's Day.

Do you want to be guaranteed to catch a fish? Head to Linwood Acres Trout Farm in Campbellcroft just a few minutes west of Rice Lake. There's free admission, but you pay for the fish you catch for dinner. Or you can simply pick up some prepared Rainbow Trout fillets and, in the meantime, learn about a fish's incubation story.

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

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.

• Travelling on frozen lakes or rivers with snowmobiles or vehicles can be particularly dangerous and 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.

• Remember to ALWAYS know your location, and never ice fish alone.