Winter getaway: Icing lakers at Windy Lake Provincial Park

As is my habit on fishing trips, I arrived at my destination packing enough ice-fishing tackle to choke a shark. But for novice ice anglers, or those who want to travel a little lighter, the park offers winter campers a great deal: a complete ice-fishing rental package (above). That includes two rods, tip-ups, a bait bucket/stool, assorted tackle, an ice auger and a Frabill two-angler flip-over shelter with a portable heater. In addition park staff will tow the shelter out onto the lake, and set it up—all you need are warm boots, a fishing licence and a sense of adventure. (To arrange an ice-fishing package, call the park at (705) 966-2315.)

And take it from me, park staff are also very generous with their fishing tips. By the way, my top producing baits/tactics were dead-sticking a simple live minnow and split-shot, dead-sticking a flasher jig on bottom with a big minnow and jigging a three-inch, soft-plastic tube.