Late fall early winter ice fishing - December 2019

After an extreme cold front formed early ice mid November, December temperatures hovered above and slightly below the freezing mark for most of the month, creating limited opportunities for ice fishing around Montreal. Still had the chance to make it out to smaller water bodies, testing many new areas. My spud bar was essential, saved me from going through thin ice on multiple occasions over the past few weeks.

Fishing wise, I really had to move around a lot to find safe ice, and when I did, it wasn't always necessarily productive for fishing. On most outings, I prefered to avoid the hassle or anxiety of having to check for safe ice every few feet, choosing safer, though often less productive spots instead. It's not always about catching trophies or large quantities of fish. Prospecting allows to to make or eliminate spots, which all make up part of the game we call sport fishing.

Managed a mixed bad of perch, crappie, sunfish and small to mid sized bass for most of the month.

Most were caught jigging a Rapala Jigging Rap (w3).

Hit a variety of spots, from very urban, to more remote.

Some bigger predators came to play once winter rules kicked in and I was allowed to use dead bait on my flag lines.

As well as some unforeseen surprises you occasionally find on ice.

All in all, another good month of prospecting. Looking forward to hitting bigger lakes in other regions of Quebec and beyond as the winter fishing season progresses in 2020.