Snow machines can be a luxury for people; they simply can’t afford one or living logistics make it difficult to own one.
This doesn’t mean you can’t access backcountry lakes and get in some awesome ice fishing this winter.
It takes a couple of key things – your feet and a heartbeat.
Snowshoes and cross-country skis make excellent modes of transportation to get you through the bush and onto a decent spot. These items help immensely in the snow, but I have gone on foot through the snow with just winter boots on. It is difficult, but it can be done. LOL, I usually do a lot more crawling/sprawling on the snow to get around, but it does work.
I don’t recommend it. Get snowshoes. Even modestly priced ones are better than boots. Having snowshoes or skis should NOT prevent you from going forth to ice fish more remote lakes.
A lot of times you can walk in on snow machine trails if you are willing to do the hike. I don’t know how many times I’ve done this from my vehicle over the winters and it lead to some quality fishing experiences.
Some winters I have a snow machine. Some winters I don’t. I’m weird I guess. I always have my will to go through some fairly awful marches on a skidoo trail so I can test my luck on trout.
Sometimes the walk is 15 minutes. Sometimes the walk is worse and longer and full of hills.
Time passes by quicker if you manage to fool another angler to take the hike with you. I’ve done this many times as well. The conversations can go to all kinds of funny places, especially if your company was not in for an exhausting and punishing stroll through the bush.
Will taking this route and going an extra length to fish a lake not right beside a backcountry road result in guaranteed fish? Hey, that’s up to the fish to decide.
It’s worth it to haul your butt by foot to try new lakes for many reasons. One, it gives you outstanding exercise and an extended time to soak in nature. These are two benefits we all need more of.
You’re more likely to encounter wildlife of some description. On walks onto lakes, I’ve come across animals such as foxes and beavers, and birds such as blue jays and whiskey jacks.
Walking through the wilderness in the winter time can be underappreciated. There is endless beauty thanks to snow-covered trees and rock outcrops.
One of my favourite little trout lakes required a short hike in from a secondary road North of Sudbury. I love the lake because I can actually drive a small car near it, which is handy because there is no place for turning around and it makes for a tight fit with a truck.
The hike in is relatively short, depending on how you look at it. It takes about 20 to 25 minutes. There is one caveat. It involves going up a fairly substantial hill that tests the endurance of your heart in the middle section.
You have to shift yourself into beast mode to power up the hill and get to the flat section. I may be exaggerating slightly, but the hill does demand you work to get to the lake. I’ve had a few buddies make the hike up that hill and none of them likes it, or me, for a short period afterwards.
We usually get a few trout though and that wipes away any sour bitterness that may have lingered in the sweat and lung-heaving people experienced getting to the spot.
I love it. I really do. I love the walks in winter to places and the challenge.
Most of the times, I put everything (rods, lures, snacks, etc) in my blue backpack (which has been featured in this magazine before) and strap a six-inch manual ice auger to it and away I go. I keep one free hand open and my other hand carries the bait. You can also get a small sleigh to pull yourself. They allow you to bring a few more items if you’re willing to do more work for things such as a portable shelter.
It doesn’t take much to get out there.
This is what a new season is about. Getting out there and experiencing everything it can throw at you. No season is the same. Experience as many and as much of them as you can.
Have fun this winter.
Going on foot like a beast
Publisher's note