Ready to try your hand at winter angling? There is no shortage of fantastic ice fishing spots all over Canada. Once you’ve found one, you’ll want to ensure that your time on the ice is well spent. Here are six tips for increasing your chances of hooking a fish and having an all-around more enjoyable experience.

1. If the fish aren’t biting, try a different spot
When fishing in open water, you likely won’t remain in one spot for long if it seems like the fish are elsewhere. Likewise, the first and most important tip for ice fishing success is that you need to be willing to move if you aren’t getting any bites where you are. Give your chosen spot about half an hour and get ready to find a new one if there is no action.

2. Don’t be too aggressive with your jigging
Ice fishing technique is about walking the fine line between attracting the fish and not scaring the skittish creatures away with overly vigorous jigging. You can try a few aggressive movements in order to catch the attention of the fish when you initially drop your line, but it’s best to switch to slower and smoother motions after that.

3. Aim for more productive times of day
Fish are known to be more active in the early morning and then again in the later afternoon. You can definitely still be successful throughout the afternoon, but try to plan your ice fishing escapades around these times of day, if you can, especially if you only have a few hours to spend.

4. Be mindful of the weather
Weather can also have a significant impact on the feeding behaviour of fish. If there is a major weather change on the horizon, such as an impending cold or warm front, then fishing conditions are likely to be harder as fish will be less active. You’ll get more bites during periods of calm and steady weather.

5. Use a flasher
The easiest way to get a leg up on the fish you are trying to hook is to find out what they are doing under the ice. A flasher is an incredibly handy device that uses SONAR to let you see when fish are approaching your bait. You’ll be able to see whether fish are moving slowly (which could indicate cautiousness) or quickly (which could indicate aggression) and adjust your jigging method accordingly.

6. Invest in a good portable shelter
Even with the best tools and methods, ice fishing requires patience. You won’t be able to spend enough time on the ice, however, if you are cold and uncomfortable from exposure to wind, snow, and freezing temperatures. Luckily, there are a wide variety of portable and affordable ice shelters available on the market that will keep you well-protected while you jig.

Just because your favourite fishing spot has frozen over, it doesn’t mean you have to hang up your fishing gear for the season. With the right strategies, you can be just as successful as during the warmer months