Winter fishing
Backroad Mapbooks
While winter may spell the end of outdoor adventure for some anglers, others cannot wait for the unique fishing opportunities that Old Man Winter offers up. Here at Backroad Mapbooks, we love the experience of braving the elements in search of that prize catch – it makes a winter seafood feast that much more rewarding. Below, you will find some tips and tricks for catching two of our favourite winter fishing species – whitefish and steelhead.
Whitefish
Sometimes referred to as a “humpbacks” due to their small heads, lake whitefish can be found all across Canada, from BC to New Brunswick and Labrador. They prefer cool, moderately deep lakes and often share waters with lake trout – in fact, many anglers’ first whitefish experience happens accidentally while fishing for lake trout.
Unlike lake trout, who prefer to hang around structure edges and slopes, whitefish prefer flat terrain. Whitefish have a sort of hanging snout for a mouth, which they use to root through the lake bottom for larvae, worms and crustaceans, making flat terrain ideal for feeding. When targeting whitefish, look for waters that are around 12-18 metres (40-60 ft) deep. In deeper lakes, add another 3-6 metres (10-20 ft), or subtract the same for shallower lakes.
Like yellow perch, these fish group together in schools in the winter, so you can use similar techniques to locate them. Drill a series of holes and alternate between them every five to ten minutes, or invest in a sonar unit to really give you an edge on locating whitefish schools. Once you have found one whitefish, there are likely many more in the area.
As with many fish, early morning is the best time to drop a line for whitefish – it is a good idea to set up in the dark and be ready for first light, as this is when the fish will be most voracious. Since these fish are bottom feeders, a good strategy is to jig your spoon near the bottom – stirring up silt can be a good way to attract whitefish to your bait. You can also imitate a dying or injured baitfish with your movements.
Where it is allowed, live bait is best for whitefish winter fishing – minnows, in particular, are a favourite. Many anglers will add an additional hook a ways up their line for the chance to catch a larger fish. If you have the advantage of a fishing hut, try dropping a chum can with salted minnows to concentrate fish underneath you.
Steelhead
Steelhead are genetically identical to rainbow trout but are anadromous, meaning that they live their lives in the ocean and migrate upriver to spawn, unlike the strictly freshwater rainbows. There are also two distinct groups of steelhead – summer-run and winter-run. Canada’s primary steelhead fisheries are located in coastal British Columbia, but Ontario does offer winter steelhead fishing in the Great Lakes area as well.
Winter-run steelies are generally larger and stronger than their summer counterparts, since they have had an extra six months to feed in the ocean. This means that winter-run steelhead are often harder to catch, but your prize will be that much bigger if you manage to reel one in. These fish are in the best shape of their life, and will spend two to four months in a river before spawning.
Although steelhead do not enter a river to feed, they will eat if the opportunity presents itself. For this reason, the key to snagging a steelhead is to bring the bait close to them, as these fish are conserving energy and will not move very far to strike. The traditional method of catching steelhead is float fishing with a centerpin rod and reel. Your bait should be on the bottom six inches of river – use a pencil lead weight to sink your line to the bottom.
An important thing to remember is that steelhead are notoriously difficult to catch, and your only guarantee of success is to spend a lot of time on the river. Since you have to bring the bait (or fly) to them, your best strategy is to move often, covering as much of the river as possible. It is a good idea to target slow, softer water around pools and back-eddies – steelhead, much like us, prefer to take it easy during nasty weather.
Some anglers call steelhead “the fish of 1,000 casts,” so do not be discouraged if you do not reel one in on your first day out on the river. Winter fishing for steelhead can be a real test for your love of the sport – be sure to dress for cold, wet conditions and pack a hearty lunch, and do not forget to bring along your sense of humility and patience. When you do feel a steelhead pull on your line, it will all be worth it.
At Backroad Mapbooks, we are proud to offer some of the best guides for fishing all across Canada – our classic Backroad Mapbooks and Backroad GPS Maps contain countless fishing hotspots as well as information on species, stocking, access and more. Or, check out our line of Fishing Maps, which provide even more detail, including industry-leading barometric data. Here’s to making this year your most productive winter fishing season yet!
Originally published here.