Has Ice fishing declined?

[Orca]

Im guessing many have given up on ice fishing on Lake Nipissing, maybe due to the 2 fish limit on Walleye, and the near unatainable slot (40-45 cm) lenght.
I've recently retired back to my home town, and really noticed the lack of activity on this lake. There used to be a long string of truck headlights and snowmobiles returning off the lake at dark coming home to Sturgeon from across the lake.
I made a significant investment in new gear including shelter, auger, etc.  I managed to hook a couple of fish, but they were either too small, or a little too big.
I may sell everything before the start of next Winter, to recoup my losses.

Edited Thursday at 02:11 PM by Orca

[AKRISONER]

good luck getting any value out of your gear. The economy is in the tank and ice fishing specifically is a dying game. Every year the season gets shorter and ever year the price of gear gets higher. I along with many friends whom I would call "hardcore" ice guys are basically done investing in it, the ROI just isnt there anymore,

[Fisherman]

Late ice, sometimes early spring, miserable weather all adds up.  I didn't get out this year, not fighting with massive snow dumps and then the slush.

[Orca]

5 hours ago, AKRISONER said:

good luck getting any value out of your gear. The economy is in the tank and ice fishing specifically is a dying game. Every year the season gets shorter and ever year the price of gear gets higher. I along with many friends whom I would call "hardcore" ice guys are basically done investing in it, the ROI just isnt there anymore,

Shame.  Didn't realise back then (?) how good we had it.

[Orca]

There's always next year. LOL.

[Moosebunk]

This was a banner year for ice! Friends are visiting Temagami this week, Nipigon and even some are just finishing up on parts of Lake O that froze over well this winter. 

Agree that costs are stupid for everything now but if you've already made the investment for gear, then it's just up to you investing getting yer arze in gear to go.

[glen]

The lakes aren’t managed properly.  
did you catch any nice perch ?or other fish you can eat?

[Big Cliff]

It really does seem that there's a decline, the zone limits, weather conditions, and cost are all factors. My daughter lives in North Bay and has changed their focus to fishing smaller lakes and targeting different species. If you are trying to put food on the table the slot limits on Nippissing do make it a real challenge. Living in Sturgeon you have countless opportunities close by if you want to fish and put food on the table, just not walleye.

My favorite is lake Simcoe and because of my age I only use commercial hut operators, last year they had a short season because or mild conditions, this year they had to pull their huts early because of snow and slush conditions. I remember fishing on Simco and there were lots of cars and trucks out on the ice miles from shore,  not anymore,  only a few fools dare to venture out with those modes of transport.  Global warming is definitely happening and we can only adapt as conditions change. 

[Orca]

10 hours ago, glen said:

The lakes aren’t managed properly.  
did you catch any nice perch ?or other fish you can eat?

No Perch, and only a couple small Walleye.
The spot fortunately is very accessible, right on the Sturgeon River.

I struggled with setting up the portable ice shelter on my own.
I enjoyed using the 40 volt lithium battery, 8" power auger.  I sold the brand new (cut 2 holes) 8" offset handle hand auger for $75.  It went within an hour or so after posting on the buy and sell want-ads.

I met some nice people while fishing, so that made up for it.
I wanted to fish my old stomping grounds in Cach Bay, but the water level was so low prior to freeze up, that there probably was no water to mention under the ice this year.

Edited 21 hours ago by Orca
spelling

[Orca]

1 hour ago, Big Cliff said:

It really does seem that there's a decline, the zone limits, weather conditions, and cost are all factors. My daughter lives in North Bay and has changed their focus to fishing smaller lakes and targeting different species. If you are trying to put food on the table the slot limits on Nippissing do make it a real challenge. Living in Sturgeon you have countless opportunities close by if you want to fish and put food on the table, just not walleye.

My favorite is lake Simcoe and because of my age I only use commercial hut operators, last year they had a short season because or mild conditions, this year they had to pull their huts early because of snow and slush conditions. I remember fishing on Simco and there were lots of cars and trucks out on the ice miles from shore,  not anymore,  only a few fools dare to venture out with those modes of transport.  Global warming is definitely happening and we can only adapt as conditions change. 

I made quite a few trips to Simcoe while residing in the GTA.
At least I have some memories.
You're right about other opportunities (relatively) close by.
It would help if I had someone to go with and share the load of dragging the sleds loaded with equipent.  My 69 years are starting to show.  Gotta stay off processed foods to alay the soreness caused by imflammation.

[Orca]

I remember reading your posts, Moosebunk.  You have accumulated many memorable outings.