Had some action on the ice today, First time laker and a big whitefish

Went out today, walked almost 8KM in total.

the whole day marked 3 fish ( 1 fish I think was circling around a few times), but I managed to get 2 of the 3 fish to bite.

The first one was a lake trout, my very first encounter with this apex predator! It just slammed my bait while I was putting my rod on the side of my portable hut. When I saw the mark, I tried to get my rod and all of a sudden it felt like I snagged on a log. The fight was unbelievable! I have this small 30 inch rod and its almost ultra light but it handled the fight. There was a time when the fish started to run for at least 10 secs long, I knew it was not a whitefish then. after 2-3 min it finally came near the hole.

I saw the fish at the hole, it was massive, the side length of the fish was bigger than the hole. I knew I will not be able to land it, I tried but when its head came up the hole, the hook bent and the fish got away. I was not going to keep it as well cause I heard they do not taste good and also its such a large fish, I feel bad for keeping something this majestic.

I missed it, but the memories will run in my mind forever.

10 minutes later, I retied another jig head and saw a smaller mark. It was a whitefish but when it was at the hole, I lifted the fish too high and the line snapped at the knot to the jig head.. I tried to grab the fish and it still slipped back into the hole.. so sad, it was a big fish as well!!

After that fish, nothing else marked.

I closed shop after 4:15 and went home.

Didn't bring home fish, but sure got lots of stories to tell.

Still a fun day on the lake, still better than working from home lol

I love the story, thanks for posting.

I am so thrilled you got to feel a big laker on your line Now you're 100% hooked. Time to get stronger hooks!

They are terrible tasting in my opinion. Too oily, and they have this really odd smell that I can't stomach. Therefore, I only sport fish lakers.

My son loves them though. I heard if you smoke them they are excellent.

Thank you! It was fun as hell even though I didn't land any fish.

I think the best way to land whitefish o is grabbing the jig head and sliding it out of the hole.

I was not thinking straight and went to grab the body when i lifted it up i saw and felt my line snapped and my heart nearly jumped out lol

Keep with it. You'll get more

Been out three times yesterday..(on Simcoe). Marked very few fish moved a couple times. Walking back I stopped to talk to a guy that cut a hole on his way in. He's jigging and talking about how much luck is involved, " well I guess I don't have to clean anything tonight", then oh. He starts pulling his line, it's not topside yet. He lands it and I'm like maybe I don't have enough patience. I said I'm walking a hundred yards away and cutting a hole. Not even ten minutes later fish on. I think of all the Whitey's and one laker I've caught, I've never actually marked them first. None the less it proves the wife I'm actually out fishing and not out somewhere else! I think she prefers I'm out and not at home bugging her. Anyways I'm at %33 catch rate on my outings and quite happy with that, if I go out next and land one I'm at 50! East side of the lake

We have all lost fish that way,just slide the whtiefish onto the ice rather than lift it you'll land the majority.Good luck .

Good Advice!

Nice catch!