Kawarthas Northumberland

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Countless hours are spent rigging rods for several species inland, on the Great Lake tributaries. The boat is out of storage and loading begins. The smell of spring is in the air. I feel alive again!

The first stop on many anglers’ list of opportunities this time of year is often a tributary flowing into Lake Ontario. The sudden increase in air temperature triggers an increase in runoff from melting snow and rain to raise the water levels and trigger the Steelhead spawn. This is really a species accessible to anyone!

Some great areas include the city of Port Hope where the great Ganaraska River flows straight through, or the Wilmot creek in Newcastle, Ontario. Each offers many accessible public shore locations to fish from. Be sure to check the regulations to see where fishing boundaries start and end this time of year, as a great deal of these tributaries will have sections within them that are closed to ensure a successful spawn. These fish are extremely strong and acrobatic, yet are beautiful in coloration and very intelligent. Using light line and very small hooks are a must to fool these fish into biting.

Some basic tackle tips include, but are not limited to the following:

Steelhead Jigs

One of the most appealing features of the marabou jig is that they almost appear to “breathe” in the water. When using a jig, be sure to sharpen the hooks. A razor sharp jig will make a huge difference. I also look for jigs that have a light wire hook. These will give you better hooking ability than a heavy gauge hook.

Float Rig

A commonly used method involves a float and series of split shot weights with a fly, roe bag, trout beads or a jig as mentioned above. The illustration in particular outlines the use of a bead instead of a roe bag. The same setup can be used for the other commonly used offerings mentioned.

Fresh Tied Roe from a previously caught female trout or salmon are a great option under a float! This is one of my absolute favourite ways to catch Trout.

Something that has really taken hold as of late are artificial egg imitators, or trout beads (rigged as seen below). This is a great alternative to tied roe when targeting extremely pressured fish. Often times a fly presented under a float is just what the doctor ordered and is often a go-to for me when targeting pressured fish as well.

While chasing Rainbow Trout in a river or stream is very enjoyable, I tend to favour the comfort of my boat and casting open water once available. The first stop on my list is always chasing Pike. There’s just something about them that gets me fired right up every year! Fortunately, a great deal of the Kawarthas Northumberland region lies within zone 17. In this zone, Pike are open all year long! I spend most of my time in the Havelock area at ice out looking for pre- and post-spawn Pike. A very simple assortment of baits will dramatically increase your success rate this time of year. The water is very cold, the fish are sluggish, but very hungry as they prepare for and recover from the spawn.

In most instances, they have spawned just before we are able to get the boats in the water. By the time we are finally able to get to them they are in a transition phase; recovering from the spawn. I will look for mud flat spawning bays on the north shore of the lake, adjacent to deep water. This will be the first area to thaw and will have the warmest water. The fish will be on the first depth variation with cover. In most cases, this time of year, this will be last year’s dead weeds in about six to eight feet of water.

You can quite literally get away with one type of bait the first few weeks after ice out, and that bait is a suspending jerkbait. This bait allows for erratic side to side action, a rattle to call fish in, and the ability to impart long pauses between jerks. These long pauses are when the fish will strike. Given their sluggish demeanor this time of year, the jerkbait offers the complete package while giving the fish long enough to find and attack the bait. The region is known to have high numbers of Pike, but also contains some big females! Fish in excess of 40-inches are not uncommon.

Some basic tackle tips include but are not limited to the following:

As far as jerkbaits go, both hard and soft are effective. The Jackall Squad Minnow 115SP Jerkbait is a great choice, and for soft plastic jerkbaits, the 5″ ‘Magic Shad by Lake Fork Trophy Lures rigged weightless can be very effective for finicky Pike. Another option is the ‘Live Magic Shad’ swimbait (Lake Fork Trophy Lures) or a 5″ Jackall ‘Ammonite’ Shad rigged onto a chatterbait for more strait/steady retrieves.

A suspending bait can be key this time of year. The water is cold and the fish need that extra hang time to convince them to commit to a bait. The minnow style bait portrayed below is definitely a staple for me. I like to fish swimbaits very slowly on light wire, and wide gap hooks with a 1/8 oz. bullet weight pegged to the nose. Slow and steady wins this race at times in cold water.

As we make our way through April and into early May, my next target will be the Black Crappie. The Kawarthas Northumberland region plays host to some of the greatest Crappie fishing in the world. Not only are the numbers of fish high, but the size of the fish are exceptional as well! Fish of 15+ inches are not uncommon!

As the water temp approaches 55°F (or 13°C), these fish move shallow in large schools to start their spawn. During this time, I fish most often on the “Tri Lakes” of Pigeon, Buckhorn and Chemong Lakes. These three lakes offer some of the best Crappie fishing in the region, not to mention that all of them are accessible by boat without needing to make use of the locks on the Trent-Severn Waterway. I typically have great success casting small soft plastic artificial baits under a slip float through the schools of fish, while suspending the bait directly above them. This typically generates some very aggressive strikes and is a very common technique. But when the weather turns quickly and the fish are feeling pressured, I have a few other tricks that I like to implement to increase my odds of success.

My first efforts will involve removing the float from my setup and casting my small soft plastic bait on a very light 1/32oz. jig head and swimming it through the school. Gentle twitches directly above or in front of these fish are difficult to refuse and often generate success when the float will not.

Another option is a drop shot rig. This is not something typically used for Crappies, but has proven very successful for me when times are tough. The ability to cast the bait to the fish and hold the bait stationary creates a very realistic appearance in my offering and flat out catches them when nothing else will. These fish are excellent table fare, so don’t hesitate to keep a few for a shore lunch. Just be mindful and release any over 12-inch as they are the “breeders” and their conservation is key to the continued success of the species. My humble yet personal opinion.

Some basic tackle tips include but are not limited to the following:

Small tubes are a staple in any crappie anglers’ arsenal. I like to keep my presentations as small and natural as possible to increase my odds of success. With so many options out there for small soft plastics, I keep things simple. The bait in the image below has been a staple for me in the past year or two.

I would highly recommend swimming baits through schools of Crappie. This little morsel seems irresistible at times. A slender profile imitating forage fry will often be the ticket to get the job done for me when times are extremely tough.

A great place to start is with a slip float setup. You will be able to detect the mood of the fish rather quickly to determine if changes are necessary. This is often a starting point for me.

Just as the Crappie fishing peaks and begins to taper down we enter the season most anglers are waiting for. The opening of Walleye season, in Zone 17, is the Second Saturday in May and do we ever have some great fishing in the region this time of year! The zone does have a slot limit of 4 fish. They must fall within the slot size to keep (13.8 – 19.7 inches). By this time the Walleye have finished their spawn and have fallen back from the current they have done their business in. They can be found in numbers in weed clumps or pockets out at the mouth of the tributaries they have spawned in. I spend a great deal of time on Rice Lake during this period utilizing a few key techniques to catch a boat load of fish. Catches of 30 to 50 fish in a day are not uncommon, with plenty of over and slot limit sized fish.

Some basic tackle tips include but are not limited to the following:

Hand tied Hair Jigs are a mainstay during this time of year when targeting Walleyes. Short pitches into pockets in weeds followed by very erratic “rips” of the rod tip will catch you a tone of post spawn walleye. This technique is typically referred to as “rippin hair” and is a lot of fun. Strikes often occur while the bait is falling, making the hooksets very heavy!

There will be times that an aggressive technique like ”rippin hair” will not be appropriate. Sudden cold front conditions this time of year are very common and will make the Walleye hold tighter to the weeds. A more subtle presentation is required when this takes place as the fish are not as likely to chase down the hair jig. This is when I like to utilize scent as well! I will choose a light button style jig head, with a light wire hook, and pair it up with a very simple yet effective soft plastic bait, imitating the forage the Walleye are feeding on in the area. I will continue to make short pitches into pockets in the weeds but I will leave the bait in place much longer. The slower fall rate and more natural presentation, the more bites you will get during this time.

Liquid Mayhem Garlic Minnow scent is a must!

Scent can be the single most important difference maker when it comes to finicky Walleye. Not only dos it mask any odor that I may impart on the bait, but it provides a natural scent trail. This will allow the fish to track down my offering and will typically cause the fish to hold the bait longer, allowing for a good hookset.

To say I am an avid Angler is an understatement. Fishing and the outdoors are my passion and always have been. I am on the water every chance I get whether it be with my young family or competing in a tournament event targeting every species of fish under the sun that our great region has to offer… and let me tell you that there are many! The spring time angling opportunities in the Kawarthas Northumberland region that I call home are an anglers’ paradise! Come see for yourself!

Author: Chris Huskilson

Reach Chris on Facebook: Chris Huskilson

Or Twitter: @CHuskilson

Thanks to Exist To Fish Canada for their support!

Now that the colder weather seems to be settling in for the winter, I can’t help but recall the questions I had when I first began ice fishing. The Kawarthas Northumberland region is an ice angler’s paradise! So many species! So little time it seems. The frozen lakes provide an exciting and affordable way to get into the sport of ice fishing. Not only is it a great avenue for new anglers to explore, it truly is a terrific opportunity to spend time with family and friends during the winter months.

Ice fishing can appear intimidating to a new comer. My best advice is to never go alone. Be sure to go with someone that is knowledgeable when it comes to ice safety and exercise caution at all times. With a few key factors in mind you are in for a great experience.

Where to Fish

If you’ve never tried ice fishing before & want a fun way to let your family try it out, plan a trip to the Kawarthas for the Family Day long weekend (Februrary 17-19, 2018). During this “Family Fishing Weekend” the Ontario Government allows residents to fish license-free. The Ontario Federation of Anglers & Hunters is hosting a Family Ice Fishing Day on Saturday February 17, 2018 from 10am to 2pm. At no cost, families can use tackle, bait and prepared fishing holes! Full details are right here. Looking for accommodations? Try our Trip Planner or contact Peterborough & the Kawarthas Tourism.

If you prefer to avoid the crowds and plan your own ice fishing escape, here are four sources of local information for you.

1. New to fishing the region? Download our handy fishing map here.
2. Get some great location tips for Peterborough & the Kawarthas on this webpage.
3. For Northumbeerland County, get your tips & location recommendations here.
4. If you’re headed to the Kawartha Lakes, check out local tips & guiding info here.

Dress Accordingly

Dressing for the elements is one of the most important parts of an enjoyable ice fishing trip. I always tend to overdress. That has never left me feeling cold which would take away from the experience dramatically. I recommend a thermal flotation suit. Not only are they very warm, but in the event that you were to go through the ice you have flotation to your benefit but this is certainly not a necessity. A good pair of thermal wind proof pants and a warm jacket will suffice.

I will generally wear a balaclava to cover my head, face and neck while in transit to and from the area we are fishing. I like this for two reasons. I am completely covered and warm when I need to be, and I can lift it up and fold it to fit my head only once inside a hut. A good pair of boots is critical. The ice is cold and your feet will be on it the entire time. I have a pair of slip-on ice cleats that I like to put on my boots as well, for traction purposes. I wear a pair of ice picks on a string around my neck as well. These will allow me to pull myself up and out of the water if I happened to go through. Match all of that up with a decent pair of gloves and you are ready to enjoy some time on the ice!

Ice Conditions

This is a big one. As I mentioned previously, go with someone that knows the area and practices an understanding and respect for ice safety. There are many factors that come in to play when it comes to ice thickness. During the first few trips of the season a “spud” is a great tool. Pounding the ice with one of these every few feet on your way out will give you a fair indication of thickness. Drilling a hole at the shoreline is also a good preliminary test of ice thickness.

Do I Need a Hut?

A hut is definitely not a requirement! Especially on those milder days of winter. They do have some serious advantages however. Not only are you sheltered from the elements, you are quite warm inside the comfort of a hut. I generally have a little propane heater with me and often find myself sitting inside without a jacket, toque or gloves. The huts are often built in to a collapsible sled that can be used to transport all of your gear back and forth. The overhead canopy that it provides shields the hole you are fishing from glare, and allows you to see into the water. And that is a lot of fun when fishing shallow and clear waters. Watching the fish eat your offering is a site to behold. I find the hut to also be a great opportunity to talk and discuss presentations with the person next to you. Improving both individuals’ odds for success while adding to the comradery of the experience.

What Gear is Required?

I think the best aspect of ice fishing is that it is fairly inexpensive to get started and just about everything you will need can be found at your local sporting good or fishing store.

A medium heavy action rod and reel combo spooled with 8 to 10lb fishing line is quite literally the only setup you need to target just about everything that swims in the Kawarthas Northumberland region. A handful of great start up bait recommendations include something loud and rattling, something flashy, and something small and subtle:

You will of course need a valid Ontario Outdoors Card with your fishing license. This is often something that is forgotten given the time of year we are generally out on the ice. I recommend a Sport license if you plan on keeping your catch.

An auger is required to drill your holes. Several options are out there and accessible. Manual and power. I would recommend a manual auger with either an 8 or 10 inch diameter. They really do drill through the ice quite easily and are inexpensive for a beginner. Auger blades are VERY sharp. Handle with extreme care.

Catch Some Fish!

Now that you are all setup, holes drilled and baits tied on. Experiment with different depths of the water column that you are fishing. A beginner will not likely have a depth finder or flasher of sorts. So use your baits to determine how deep you are fishing. Present them on the bottom, just below the ice, and in the middle of the water column until you make contact with fish.

Fishing for me is about the experiences. The relationships and comradery that develops. Don’t get me wrong! The fish are a big part of that, and catching them is a blast. But the time spent in the outdoors with family and close friends are what keeps me coming back for more. The Kawarthas Northumberland region of Ontario is my home. And I plan to continue making fishing memories here in her 350 lakes and rivers for many years to come. Come and see for yourself!

Written by Chris Huskilson

Author: Chris Huskilson

Reach Chris on Facebook: Chris Huskilson

Or Twitter: @CHuskilson