Fish-Hawk.Net

Hey guys,

Even though it used to be a weekly winter activity, I haven't ice fished in almost 10 years. My wife has recently become a bit of a fishing fanatic and she's decided that I HAVE to take her out ice fishing this year. No more waiting for softwater. I know, I know... rough life!

Now, when I used to ice fish (I'm from Wawa, if that explains anything), we did it very differently. I'd never heard of a tip-up or clam or even knew there existed small rods for ice fishing until I moved to Ottawa haha. So, yeah, I'm out of the loop! I'm also nostalgic for the spool of line draped over a small branch type ice fishing I used to do. But one thing that has occured to me was that the best part of ice fishing with my Dad was sitting around a small fire, cooking, talking, and arguing about who's turn it was to go check the lines! Up north, almost everything is crown land and so it's never been a problem. But it seems that most places on shore around here are private property.

Is it legal to light a small fire on shore while you ice fish around Ottawa? Does anyone have any suggestions of where I could find that out? I was thinking that if I fished somewhere on the Ottawa River where there was an Island, that I might be safe to make a small cooking fire there, but does anyone have any tips or know whether it's legal here? I certainly don't want to be a pain to a land owner or break the law, but I'd really love to have a small fire if I did go out. Is that possible? Does anyone here enjoy a small fire while ice fishing?

Thanks!

Greetings from the SOO!!!

When I lived in Ottawa we also found it difficult to light fires anywhere we wanted....

So we made up a stand and cut the bottom 1/3 of an 45 gallon drum.....and had a fire right out on the ice....The stand kept the drum off the ice so, there wasn't a big puddle and we could still enjoy the warmth and cooking heat the fire provided.....

I used to use the branch routine too, but modern technology got the best of me and I have set myself up with all the latest tools for hardwater fishing...When you go back home, people might think your nuts, but deep down they are intrigued!!!!....

I just went with a guy from Stureon Falls...He almost pee'd his pants when I introduced him to MR Vexilar......


Are you going to the Derby?

Haha, don't laugh but I had to google "Vexilar" to figure out what it was. And, after reading their webpage I still don't really know what the heck it does! Haha

Anyway, that is a good idea... My only problem is that another change I've had to adapt to is not having room for a skidoo... so anything I bring would have to be on my back likely. I'm getting the impression that I might be out of luck.

What do you guys think about my island idea? Are most of the islands around the Ottawa or nearby lakes owned or are they crown land? Just for example (And this is because it's the only island I know the name of here... haha) if I decide to fish near duck island, do you think there'd be any problem with having a small fire made on shore there? Or does that seem like it also might be a grey area?

As for the Wawa derby, I'm really tempted... My Dad moved to the Soo not that long ago and just retired with the Essar buyouts and I'm trying to talk him into going into it... it used to be a blast! Good prizes too.

I wouldn't want to risk getting in trouble over a fire. What I do is take a small portable cookstove, like Coleman makes, out on the ice. It doesn't throw heat like a fire does but it allows us to warm up soup, tea and the like. And it is nice and portable, cause I too carry everything out on my back. Just a thought.

Canadian Tire sells little sleds in the ice fishing section that are perfect for pulling your gear onto the ice with. Saves the back and allows you to take more stuff!

Thanks for the tips guys! I'm going to look into those towable sled options, if there's an easy/inexpensive way to get a bit more gear onto the ice, maybe I'll be ok with just a coleman type stove... haha.

Be warned

Current around any island in the Ottawa river equates to lousy ice.

Be safe... hit the spots that everyone else hits like Petrie or Shirley's Bay

Enjoy your outing

Now what are the rules on having a fire out on the ice. I always clean up the ashes and bring them back to my cottage if I am fishing around there or I will move it back onto shore. I have seen people leave their firepit on the ice which will eventually melt back into the lake. Is this illegal to do??? Is there any laws to this???

I don't think it is illegal to ahve a fire on the ice. The only thing is that if not all the wood burns out. Then it snows and then Then I take my auger and try to make an 8" hole thru a piece of oak I will be some pee pee off. Like somebody last year that ruined a good set of blades right thru a propane canister.

I have no problems with it as long as it's cleaned up after. But might be hard to clean out.

I always thought that it was illegal to have a fire on the ice - (eg a wood campfire). So I went digging in the latest regs, can't find it in there??

Well if the Oc transpo drivers are allowed to have a fire in a 45 gallon drum on the corner of Belfast and St Laurent Blvd ,,,

It is illegal to have a fire on the ice....not sure about having it in a bin though. There are lots of little tiny unowned islands out there, the problem is getting to them. As previously stated you have to watch for bad ice due to current.

orrsey

Bass Addict wrote:Well if the Oc transpo drivers are allowed to have a fire in a 45 gallon drum on the corner of Belfast and St Laurent Blvd ,,,

But only the senior drivers are allowed first dips to stand beside the roaring fire...it's a matter of scheduling.

I doubt the MNR regulations even touch on this topic. Likely more a city or municipal by-law I'd bet. I figure if you have a fire on the ice just keep it small and clean up after yourself...

I'm pretty sure it's illegal as well because of the debris left behind on the ice...besides, I think it's a matter of respect to waterfront owners to NOT have a fire on the ice....you guys have no idea how much crap washes to shore every Spring....from charred wood, blocks of wood that people used to sit their shacks on that got frozen into the ice, plastic that people use to block the wind from blowing under the shack, etc..etc...etc...it's disgusting