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Ice out Lakers

3K views 18 replies 10 participants last post by  esoxhntr 
#1 ·
Two weeks ago it was time for ice out here in Ontario. A little later than in recent years; a deep freeze in late January-February had formed close to 2' in some places and we had much more snow than usual which insulated the ice. Four weeks ago we were drilling through 15-18" of the stuff on some of the same spots. A day after our last ice trip, mercifully, mother nature gave us a warm spell. Although I didn't think it would happen, that 15-18" was gone in 2 weeks and it was time to launch the boat for the maiden voyage of '08.



Personally, I love this time of year. Not only because it is great to get out in the boat again but, the air is fresh, life is flourishing again and, you can get away with a t-shirt sometimes. Then there's the great lake trout fishing every year.




The opener was a bit slow for spring standards but, it's just going to get better over the coming weeks.



We caught 'em deep on dipseys, shallow on planer boards and long lining. Lures varied. jointed bodybaits, spoons, inline spinners.



Here we are busting out of the back bay on day one.












See what I mean about the spring conditions sometimes?
Sunburns and t-shirts! 2 weeks previous we were drilling holes in ice!







Onto the fish....



















A gratuitous wide-angle shot.. adds pounds!








Quack



 
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#3 ·
AWESOME PICS, You, Jim & Corey always have the best Pics. it is awesome to see the Lake Thawing out like that, I am now sure if I would like that or not, How Cold was the Water and the Air temp that day??



and those Fish...WOW!!! Congrats on a great day!!!
 
#4 ·
mostly mid 30s F was the water temp. air temp got up to +20deg C, maybe 22C during the day, i'm guessing that's around 71F. us canucks are weird, we measure water temp in F and air temp in C.




thanks, it was fun. pike opens this wknd and I am just about to head out there door to make the drive.
 
#6 ·
Great pics bud!



Can't beat the company you had to!

Maybe if I beg hard enough I could get in on one of those spring time laker trips. Your report from last year was one of my all time favorites.



I'm sitting here hoping the ice will come off my destination in ten days




Thanks for sharing!
 
#9 ·
thanks guys.. we got out again this wknd in search of pike. weather was aweful, rain all day saturday and rain, cold and wind sunday. we skipped summer and went right into november up here




we did get a few decent pike saturday but it was so wet, the camera stayed put away. spring pike fishing in sub 50-55 deg water is a blast. often times fishing in less than 6' of water. they really liked the smaller jerbaits (ie. husky jerks, ripplin redfins) this wknd..



sunday the camera came out and here are a few more trout.















 
#11 ·
we keep the odd smaller one but, for the most part, they all go back. they are tasty though!



as you can see, we replace trebles with single siwash' to make it easier on the fish and us releasing them. trebles and lake trout don't mix if you want to let them go - it's like velcro - they just don't quit and will end up with trebles in the eyes, gills, etc. honestly, I can't say we've lost or hooked up with less fish with the singles and they do give the baits a better action IMO.
 
#18 ·
Guys, seriously, thanks for sharing your report and pics with us southerners! I absolutly love reading/seeing your posts and hope you keep em comming! Ive always wanted to go fishing up there for the lakers, pike and espically walleye. Do you guys for for them too? Like I said, keep those reports/pics coming, we truly appreciate you sharing with us!
 
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