Manitoba’s inland sea, Lake Winnipeg, is a world class winter walleye fishery and on the short list for consideration as the top trophy walleye producer out there. The lake’s geography, geology and ecology combine to yield a Greenback factory, producing emerald-green tanks approaching fifteen pounds each hard water season.
It’s this lure that draws anglers from the upper Midwest, central Canada and points beyond to try their luck on Lake Winnipeg. Along with photos of magnum walleye caught and released (HINT!) quite often these travelling hard water anglers return home with tales of weather, ice and broken equipment. There is no way around it, the big lake can wreak havoc on machines, gear and people.
That same prairie wind praised in the waterfowl blind is cursed during freeze up (and all winter) on the big lake. This creates frazzled ice, ridges, concrete-like snow drifts and other snow and ice conditions usually reserved for the northern tundra. Extreme cold does nothing to help either. After logging a few hundred days on Lake Winnipeg’s ice, I’ve learned that preparation and thought into gear management are paramount to success. Everyone has heard you need to be mobile to succeed on Lake Winnipeg, which means you need a system; not just for finding fish in this massive flat but to be able to pack, unpack, repack and have everything in one piece.
The System
To play the run and gun game you need to have your essentials organized in such a way to not limit your desire to move. When in search mode what do you need? An auger, scoop, flasher and rod. Simple right? But, if each time you want to try a spot quickly you need to open out your sleigh or shack, unpack all the items, drill holes and find it’s not the depth you hoped for, then repack. How many times in a day are you going to do this before you a) sit on an unproductive spot or b) cut corners packing and break something.
If it’s inconvenient to move frequently, you created an anchor. The best fishing is usually the last hole you drilled in a given day, since you put the puzzle together. The auger, especially with an extension is the toughest item to find a home for, but try to keep it all in one piece and in the open. Mounts by Digger, Clam and Koplin offer options for ATV/UTVs and snowmobiles, as do custom fabricated wood and metal units. Ensure the power head is supported to prevent bending the bit.
As I see it the goal is to keep as much of your gear on the vehicle and protected by its suspension. Most icefishing electronics are designed to fit in 2.5 and 5 gallon buckets, which with some padding, make a great way to keep them from rolling around. Action Packers and ATV cargo boxes similarly lined are great options too.
Pulling sleighs and flip over shacks on Lake Winnipeg is a true test of their durability. They bounce, careen and occasionally catch some air on the drifts and ridges. Cheap blue sleeping pads can cushion gear and make a nice mat to keep your feet off the ice. I’ve found that a Big Buddy Heater (with bag) and 20 pound propane tank in a milk crate will wedge between the seats of most two man shacks. I run two Clam X2 Thermal shacks. Look for the toughest tub you can find, install runner kits and install the hitch system as low as you can on the shack. On the hitch pin I wire it to the hitch and wrap the wire in electrical tape, this prevents losing the pin if your shack pops off.
PROTECT YOUR EQUIPMENT
Try to keep two rod and reel combos stored upright and unpacked, spares can be stored away in a padded case. Use the pockets of your outerwear for a small tackle box with 2 or 3 baits, snaps, and swivels, this keeps you going for a couple of rigs in case of a breakoff. A bait puck with a few salted minnows, leader material, measuring tape and pliers should all be kept at hand.
Once I hit the lake I can’t afford to have the day cut short by gear failure so I carry spares for some of the most common parts. Auger blades, recoils, fuel lines are all easily compromised. A spare flasher batter (which in a pinch will give you a boost). Obviously, spare rods/reels and line should make the cut. I bring three extra cheap ice scoops in case I can’t hook the good one I dropped down the hole. About 30 extra hitch pins seems to be the right number.
Spare oil, gasoline antifreeze and gas for the machine is a good idea, as are spare fuses. A tool kit, zip ties, hose clamps, wire and electrical tape will help put things back together.
BE PREPARED FOR ANYTHING!
With many newer machines lacking a pull start option a small lithium ion charger with booster cables can be indispensable. It can also recharge your phone to take photos of those big fish.
It is difficult to prescribe a “how-to” for gear storage that will work for everyone’s machine, gear and fishing style but the principles remain the same, have a look at others on the ice and see how they are doing it and how that may apply to you. Be creative here, with some forethought your trips can be more comfortable and successful.