Very early spring fishing., Very early.

There are many places in Ontario that have early ice free, open water. I have already received many calls from eager anglers asking me where to go first to catch early spring fish. Also reading some posts on the Fishing Forum and feeling the excitement from the members coming right out of the computer. Many anglers are gearing up and getting the boats or other watercraft ready for an early soft water fishing season. This year of 2024 will be the best season ever for Crappie, Perch and other pan fish. Followed by record braking numbers of Walleye, Muskie, and Bass as those seasons open on their respective dates. The warmer temperatures coming earlier than ever before will allow more anglers to access many more opportunities this spring and right into June. Depending on how much rain we get in the next three months, and how it affects the water levels and water temperature, time will tell. I am predicting a great 2024 for anyone getting out there to try their luck on another adventure of chasing the above mentioned fish. The great fishing that is on the way also comes with a cost. This is the part of the story where I ask for restraint, and avoid the compulsion of fishing too much. It's so easy to get caught up in a fishing frenzy when the soft water season starts. This year certain fish like the species mentioned above will be spawning earlier than usual. Incidental catches of spawning fish affects the outcome of the spawn. Also with the great fishing that is on the way this year, means more fish will be caught and kept overall then in past years. Don't forget to release more than you keep, and respect the fishery. If we all keep fish in large numbers, that means there will be less fish to spawn next year, and so on in the years to come. A challenge to myself this spring is to fish less than previous years for early crappie as an example. Everyone is able to make their own choices as to how many fish is enough to feed the family. I am just putting in a kind word on behalf of the fish this year. And for the future anglers out there like our children. Good luck to all this season, and stay safe.

Been waiting since March first, couldn't take it any longer. Minus six when the sun came up, so pulled out the canoe and paddled through a bit of thin ice.

Sun took care of the ice in a couple of hours but could not find any fish because the Osprey have not shown up yet at my favourite spring crappie spot. No oprey, I was fishing blind. This is the earliest (March) I have ever tried spring crappie fishing in the morning.

It took until after lunch before the bobber finally went down. I was fishing in 10 to 15 feet of water, could not see very far down the water was not clear at all. After that until around 5pm there was lots of crappie. The water level is still down a foot at least. Not much wind, more like a breeze off and on. Saw one boat way down the lake, heading east that's it. Kept these three for my first crappie dinner of 2024.

Nicely Done!

Very nice early start to the soft water season.

Well done Jamie !
Congrats on the season opener .
Dedication always pays off .

Fantastic start. If all goes well, I be launching my boat tomorrow morning on Simcoe for second to last day of Whitefish and Laker season. With perch as backup plan.

Thank you. Had a hat on and a mask but still got a bit of a sun burn on my face. Took it off too soon at the end of the day.

Yes, took a while but a lucky day of fishing. Around 50 in total, all the crappie were 9 to 11 inches. My right shoulder is killing me from hundreds of casts. My left shoulder is definitely finished after hundreds of paddles. I turned 60 a few months ago. Must be getting old. L.O.L. Thanks for the comment.

Thank you JB. It took a while to find the fish. I don't own a fish finder for a boat or from shore. No Osprey, Loons, Seagulls, or cormorants to spot the fish for me. Didn't even see the muskrats or otters fishing yesterday.

Thank you. A late good luck to you. Water levels are very low on some lakes. Stay safe and alert to anyone taking the boats out early this year. Those rocks are just under the surface at some launches and shallow areas. It was all mud where I put in yesterday.

Very nice Jamie.

Arnie

Thank you Arnie. I have to hand it to you, and your kayaking. That may very well be the last time paddling for me. Too hard on my left shoulder since the injury back in 2017. Even in a boat I am rarely by myself anymore. For those going out and paddling, remember to always go into the wind so you can float with the breeze on the way back to where you put in. Much easier.

Great job! I sorted out the last of my ice gear on the weekend and I’m getting into boat mode soon enough.. looking forward to some spring lake O trolling.