A Guides Life:

Ice-Out Action
Secret tactics revealed

By Bob Howe

"Ice out.” It is a phrase with a special meaning to fishermen in the North Country. For many, it is their favorite time of year to fish—with good reason. It can be some of the best action of the year for huge, fat northerns full of spawn, trophy brook trout, and an abundance of lightening-fast salmon.

It is a small window of time, but worth every second.

Before we go any further I am talking about my experience only in one small part of Maine. One of the best things about being a guide is learning from all of my clients and friends, and I know what conclusions I have reached in Maine can be completely different for other people.

Many people are surprised to learn that the ice actually usually begins to melt in February and will always melt from the bottom towards the surface. One year I was keeping a pen in the ice for live bait and measured the ice depth every day with a yardstick. I was amazed to learn that late in the season ice melted faster at night when the temperature was cooler out than during the day. The reason for this is that the sun penetrates the ice during the day and warms the top layer of water under the ice. At the end of the day when the sun sets this water is actually at its highest temperature, but instead of cooling off immediately, it takes several hours of darkness. All this time the warmth of the water is melting the ice from the bottom. 

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