Where is the Cottage Coach’s Happy Place when the cold season hits? On the ice, in a soft-sided hut, fishing for whatever is biting. “I’m a big morning person, and I love getting up early when everyone else is sleeping,” says Adam Holman. “I set up the tent for the day, and watch the sun come up and the others roll in. It’s a way to get together with the guys, all of us telling old stories and jokes. That camaraderie is great,” he says. Since Adam is Cottage Life’s official Cottage Coach, he can’t help but pass on some advice to cottagers who want to try ice fishing for themselves. Here are his top five tips.
1) No surprise: “Safety is most important,” says Adam. “Before anything else, test the ice to make sure it’s thick enough, at least three inches. I use a spud bar—it’s a big pry bar that weighs 20 or 30 pounds.” He tosses it onto the ice; if it goes through, “I stay off.”
2) “On a really cold day, you want protection from the elements. I have a soft hut. It’s portable and easy to move around. If I’m not catching fish in one area, I fold it up and move.”
3) Before you head out,“do some homework to know where the fish might be,” says Adam. “You can download apps that have depth charts or even use underwater cameras that help you figure that out.”
Cottage Q&A: How can I recognize lead fishing bait?
4) Planning to target a specific type of fish? “First make sure that it’s in season, and that it’s legal to catch,” says Adam. “Different fish go for different bait. There’s no point dropping a massive lure if you’re trying to catch perch. Perch like tiny lures, jigs, or live minnows.”
5) Along with the obvious—an ice auger; a decent fishing rod; the right bait—you need a good pair of boots. “You don’t want to have cold feet out on the ice all day,” says Adam. Also great? “A little heater.” And don’t forget the snacks. “Then you’re set for the day.”
This article was originally published in the Winter 2023 issue of Cottage Life.
Related Story This ice fishing hut art is unbelievable
Related Story Want to try cold-water dipping? Here are 5 expert tips
Related Story These are the best tobogganing hills in Ontario