Jacob and his father scored big while ice fishing on Mary Lake this week! Both anglers were excited to pull out two of Mary Lake’s popular sport fish: A Northern Pike and Lake Trout.

I was checking around for local ice fishing updates when I heard that Jacob had hooked into these fish. They were fishing from a ’secret location’ somewhere on Mary Lake in 35 feet of water. Jigs tipped with live bait tempted the trout and pike to strike. There was 8 – 10 inches of ice.

The duo braved a blizzard to reach the sanctuary of their hut. Jacob wondered if the changing weather system was a contributing factor to making these fish (and others) hit their jigs.

Jacob Hehir holding his hard water Northern Pike

A great lake trout from Mary Lake!

I was able to get an interview with 13 year old Jacob and he patiently answered my questions about fishing with his dad. He has been fishing as long as he can remember. His mother shares that he had several visits to an ice hut as a baby. Jacob appreciates being able to spend quality time with his father. Not only is he able to learn more about fishing from his dad, but he enjoys the freedom of being able to share ‘life issues’ in the shelter of their ice hut or boat.

Jacob’s top 2 game fish to pursue are smallmouth bass and lake trout. For exciting summer  bass action, he recommends fishing during the early morning calm with top water ’spooks’. His tips for new ice anglers are simple:

1. Dress Warmly
2. Watch Your Lines

Before I finished my interview, Jacob wanted me to be sure to include a ’shout-out’ to one of his favorite fishing mentors, Louie Miceli.

Thanks for your time Jacob! I appreciate it.

*Note – If you have would like a photo of your ice fishing success stories to appear on my blog, please email them to me using the contact information below.

I came across this video segment about an easy to tie pike fly last night. It looks simple enough for me to tie and lethal enough to make me look good catching some of Muskoka’s numerous pike.

Big pike on the fly from Johnny Saunderson on Vimeo.

Big northern pike do exist in Mirage Lake!

Kevin Swinscoe emailed this photo of a nice 9 lb northern pike caught in Mirage Lake – North of Huntsville. The story behind the photo is:

The length was 33 inches and it topped 9lb. Not a monster but a nice fish caught on a 5″ Mr Twister Double Tail and 1/8th football Jig head. I was lucky to land it without a wire trace, I only had 8lb line! The pics were taken by a neighbour, I just pulled up their dock to show them as nobody believes we have Pike in Mirage.

Nice pike Kevin! Thanks for emailing them to me. Don’t let your toes dangle over the dock for too long…

If you have a picure of a fish (big or small) that you have caught this summer – I would love to post it. Email it to the address listed below.

May 23, 2009
Annual Lake Muskoka Pike Tournament – $10,000 First Prize
Gravenhurst
For more information: www.muskokabassmasters.com

June 7, 2009
Annual Pike Challenge – Huntsville Town Docks
Free Kids Casting Competition 1pm – 3pm
For more information: Call 705-789-4123 or 705-789-1173

June 14, 2009
12th Annual Nosbonsing Anglers and Hunters Summer Pike Tournament
$20,000 in Cash Prizes
For more details: www.nosbonsing-anglers-and-hunters.com

July 11, 2009
Dorset Kids’ Fishing Derby
For more information call: 705-766-9968

When I become aware of some big fish on the internet, I love posting them on my blog with a link to the originating picture or author. This picture of a nice Vermont pike comes from Awesome Guide Service. Visit their website today!

Big Pike picked up in Vermont, way to go Jamie!

If you would like me to post a photo of your fish you cant twitter me: @muskokaoutdoors or use the email provided at the end of this blog post. Fish Hard!

The Huntsville Forester published that Brandon Corry hooked into the massive 20.5-pounder through the ice last weekend. Nice work Brandon! For more great stories and articles from a Huntsville perspective – visit the Huntsville Forester today.