Ice Fishing Lake Champlain

Even though the lake is frozen over, some fishermen just won't quit. Here are some tips to make a trip out on the ice successful and safe.

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Snow and ice have set in all over the North Country, and while most people are inside keeping warm around their fireplaces, there are some who just won't give up.

They build shacks on the ice, cut holes with powerful tools, and wait for the fish, no matter how cold it is. Ice fishing is an age-old hobby, and it's as popular as ever.

What to Do

First, you need bait. Norman St. Pierre, owner of Norm's Bait and Tackle in Crown Point, New York, says that the bait will differ depending on the type of fish.

"There are different types of bait for different types of ice fishing," he says.

He cites grubs, mealworms, and minnows as the most popular kinds of bait.

The experienced fisherman will know where the fish are, and will set up camp where the clusters and hotspots are located. Normally, says St. Pierre, a novice can look for a grouping of ice fisherman on the ice and go out to join them.

The next step is cutting a hole in the ice. While this may sound like a daunting task, there are a variety of tools available that are meant to make it fairly simple, even when the ice is thick enough to support a truck.

Perhaps the easiest tool to manage is called a spud bar, which can be used to cut a hole in ice that is up to a foot thick. A spud bar is reliable and cheap and has been used by ice fishermen for years.

Once the ice gets thicker, however, the tools get a little more complicated. An auger is used if the ice is too thick to be cut by a spud bar. According to the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation, augers come in different types, both manual and gas-powered. Depending on the thickness of the ice, augers can be adjusted to cut holes of different sizes. Powered augers usually cut holes up to 10" in diameter.

St. Pierre says he sometimes prefers the hand-powered augers. "Gas-powered augers can spook the fish," he says.

In Lake Champlain, ice fishermen are, for the most part, after yellow perch. Another common species is crappie, followed by sunfish and different species of trout.

fishermen2
Photo by Joe Samuelson III

Ice fishing is popular on Lake Champlain.

Staying Warm

Larry Soroka, the Director of the Adirondack Experience at Plattsburgh State University, says that in order to stay warm on the ice, a fisherman must wear many layers, dress extra warm, and pay special attention to the hands, face, and feet.

"Ice fishing is a stationary activity," Soroka says, noting that sitting out on the ice for so long can be bad for the circulation. "It cuts off the blood flow to the extremities."

Because of estimates that 60 percent of body heat is lost through the head, Soroka says, "A hat is a must."

Soroka adds that before a fisherman goes out on the ice, he should be well-hydrated and have eaten a good meal so that the calories can burn off and produce heat.

Though many ice fishermen might bring beer along, Soroka warns against this. He says that alcohol, cigarettes, coffee, and other drugs will make it harder for the body to keep warm in the cold weather.

Out on the ice, fishermen build many varieties of shelters to keep themselves safe from the elements while waiting for the fish to bite. The houses they build range from small tent-like structures to slightly larger, sometimes heated buildings, that can accommodate six people or more.

Fishermen may have trouble walking on the ice and can buy special boots called "creepers" with spikes on the bottom in order to help them maneuver.

Safety First

A major danger faced by ice fishermen is the threat of falling through the ice. If a fisherman falls through, others must be extra careful about trying to rescue him.

"The big issue is how to get close without jeopardizing yourself," Soroka says. "Try to find a way to reach the person while you're in a secure position."

Rescuers can extend poles or tools to try and reach the person who has fallen in, but should not go diving in to save him. Some fishermen will use their augers, or fishing poles, or even form human chains to get people out.

According to Soroka, hypothermia will begin to set in after only a few minutes in the freezing water. Hypothermia causes muscle stiffness, weakness, loss of flexibility, confusion, drowsiness, and could be fatal if the person is not rescued.

Preparation is key, Soroka says. As long as an ice fisherman plans ahead, he should be fine. "The thing to remember is to think about the situation before you're in it."

Tourism

Tourists come from all around to ice fish on Lake Champlain. St. Pierre says that he sees people mainly from Maine, New Hampshire, and Vermont in his bait shop.

St. Pierre says they often come for the derbies. According to him, there are ice fishing derbies all over the area in places such as Tupper Lake, Schroon Lake and all over Lake Champlain.

St. Pierre, who goes out ice fishing himself now and then, says he expects this to be a very good, cold season. He admits, however, "One week can come along and warm up and spoil it all."

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