Northern Region Wildlife News Update - Winter Ice Fishing Tips

Winter Fishing Tips
“Not the sun or the summer alone, but every hour and season yields its tribute of delight”--Emerson

Winter fishing is not boring!!! Rain, sleet and ice--all three in one day! But anglers hardly notice when they are comfortable and prepared for changing conditions.

Roy Angler Tod Omer uses an old ski pole fashioned with a piece of rubber hose on the tip to help him safely and quietly navigate stream bottoms.

Ice fishing gives anglers a chance to reach fish—something not possible for summer fishing for those who do not own a boat.

Water on the ice can eventually deteriorate it. Water also creates sloppy fishing conditions and makes it necessary for anyone who ventures out onto the ice to wear robber boots.

Fishing opportunities continue to grow in Utah. Within the past 10 years, the DWR has worked closely with cities to develop community fisheries. Most of these fishing holes are in or near residential areas. They have opened up fishing for people who might have not experienced this thrill without these areas. They also provide easy fishing for people visiting Utah on business.

More and more people are discovering and enjoying fishing at these urban fishing spots. As they do, DWR encourages them to try other kinds of fishing to more fully enjoy the great variety of fishing that is available in Utah. Winter fishing is a great part of that variety.

Many people think only of ice fishing when they think of winter fishing. But Utah has many rivers that flow in or near cities that provide great winter fishing.

Tod Omer from Roy loves to fish Northern Utah’s Rivers. At eighty years of age, this avid angler doesn’t let cold weather keep him from fishing. To help him keep his footing sure on slippery rocks, he has transformed a ski pole to help him navigate the obstacles that trip up many anglers—old AND young! Mr. Omer has placed a piece of red rubber hose at the end so he can see it and to not scare the fish. “Fish are pretty sensitive to sound,” said the easy-going angler with a smile.

Mr. Omer’s safety tip is one that fishermen of all ages can benefit from. River anglers need to remember that slipping and falling in icy river waters can be deadly.

Anglers who try fishing Utah’s rivers in winter, especially those who have never fished in the winter time need to know that no ice that forms at a river bank is safe. It may look solid on the top but running water under the surface usually erodes and weakens ice.

Ice fishing presents a completely different set of safety conditions—but once anglers know and follow safety rules for fishing on the ice, it is a sport that families can safely enjoy. The DWR’s website has a great page that is dedicated to detailed tips for ice fishing safety. The link for ice safety is: http://www.wildlife.utah.gov/cf/ice_fishing.php).

Contact: Phil Douglass,
Northern Region Conservation Outreach Manager
Phone: 801-510-1406
Email: phildouglass@utah.gov