December is the perfect time to consider ice fishing. If you have never been ice fishing, then make sure that Santa includes an ice fishing expedition in your stocking this year. Here are some great destinations that you may want to consider.
Lake of the Woods
Lake of the Woods near Boudette, Minnesota, offers an outstanding opportunity to fish for walleye from an ice house. Anglers also commonly catch eelpout, saugers, northern pike, whitefish and crappies. The lake features over 50 sleeper services, hotels and resorts making sure that everyone can find one that meets their needs the best. After the cold weather sets in, usually in early January, the lake can become home to 3,000 fishing shacks. Expect the water to be murky, so the best fishing usually occurs in the 90 minutes right before sunset. If you are looking to catch walleye up to 40 inches long, use a large lure. Alternatively, if you want to catch more fish, use a smaller lure.
Lake Simcoe
Lake Simcoe near Ontario, Canada, host the international ice fishing championship each year, and it is easy to see why this lake is so popular with anglers. The lake is stocked with over 100,000 lake trout each year. Until the temperatures drop for several nights in a row, the best place to ice fish for this species is near a shoal, ridge or point. When the temperatures drop significantly, then the best fishing occurs at depths between 70 and 80 feet deep. The best lure to use when fishing for lake trout on Lake Simcoe is a spoon. This lake is also stocked annually with over 140,000 whitefish. Catching these bottom feeders can be tricky since these fish get spooked easily. Therefore, the earlier you get started, the more likely you are to have a successful fishing trip.
Kuummiut Fjords
If you are looking to get away from the crowds, then head to Ammassalik, Greenland, where anglers regularly catch halibut weighing more than 100 pounds and the Greenland shark that can weigh up to 400 pounds. The fishing here is unique because you are fishing frozen ocean water that is close to the shore. The largest fish are usually caught on jigs making this trip more fun, expect to arrive at your fishing hut on a dog sled pulled by hard working dogs. Besides the joy of fishing here, the tranquility and breathtaking scenery will leave you relaxed and never wanting to leave.
If Santa does not bring you one of these destination holidays this year, then it may be time to treat yourself to the gift that you really want this holiday season 😉
Yellow Bird Products
1803 Holian Drive
Spring Grove, IL 60081
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