Although fish become somewhat lethargic during the cold weather, most species have little choice but to remain active and seek out their daily meal. Using different techniques than those employed during the warmer months, anglers actually might discover ice fishing offers better action and catches than summer fishing.
Ice fishing requires no fishing pole.
If the fish is larger than 8 inches, which is entirely possible on Lake Champlain and other large lakes in the region, the angler encounters the perplexing problem of getting a large, wiggling albeit slightly sluggish fish through the smaller hole. Ice fishermen are a hardy lot. This challenge is compounded by the fact that ice fishing is not a solitary sport like fly fishing. Anglers tend to congregate in shacks or shanties at the better fishing spots on the lake. In these heated shanties, which feature many of the comforts of home stoves, beds and portable TVs a group of friends talk, play cards or whatever to pass the time until the flag signals an event.