Ice fishing in almost Canada

My parents came to visit last weekend and we took them ice fishing on Lake of the Woods in the ice house that Jess helped finish with a friend from our church (Ken Van Eps). Jess put several hours into wiring, paneling, and building cabinets in this ice house, so I was excited to see it. As usual, Jess was happy to be going fishing but even more excited to be taking my parents and Sierra on her first ice fishing adventure.

We woke up at 4AM so we could travel the 3 hours to the ice house and be there for the "morning bite" (something that cannot be missed, according to Jess). It was bitterly cold on Saturday with a temp of -29 and a wickedly brutal wind. When we arrived at the ice house, thankfully the resort had cleared the driveway so we could pull right up to the house. However, when Jess and my dad went into the house to drill the holes and get the heater started, the heater would not work. It would turn on, but would not stay on for more than a few minutes. They tried to start the oven and burners, but the knobs were frozen. No worries, Sierra, my mom, and I were sitting in the pickup staying warm as the men tried to heat the house. Thankfully, Jess had taken his portable heater, so they were able to warm the ice house enough to finally turn the oven knobs. After a little time (30 minutes maybe), the shack was warm enough for Sierra. We never did get the heater to stay on for more than 10 minutes but stayed warm enough with the stove burners and oven going. It really was quite toasty in there at times.

Overall, it was a fun day of fishing. Not as active as they usually have on Lake of the Woods, but we caught about 20 and kept 9. We all got to experience the joy of reeling in a fish. And my dad can claim the biggest catch for the day!

The big catch of the day. I believe it was a walleye but I cannot remember the measurement... If you want to know, you would have to ask Jess or my dad.

She is already so dedicated to fishing that she can fish in her sleep.

 

She caught on quick as to how to hold a fishing pole. Ice fishing poles are just the right size for her. Proud daddy! 

She really did not want Papa to sleep.

Perhaps the smallest catch of the day...

and the smallest (and cutest) member of the fishing party.

 

Hope this post finds you all healthy and warm. Winter is almost over! At least that's what the calendar tells me...

 

Darci