It was a beautiful bright, crisp day for the kids and parents who joined the Friends for the Ice Fishing SKIP program on Sunday!

The afternoon kicked off with “Just Keep Swimming!” – a fishy-themed predator/prey game of tag led by interpreter Alida Lemieux to get us warmed up for the main event.

“Just keep swimming!” with Alida.

Next Conservation Officer Mike Dubé and Park Superintendent Curtis Thompson gave us some ice safety rules and we set off for the ice fishing station on Loon Lake behind the Park Store/Chalet.

Curtis and Mike keep us safe.

The trek!

Mike demonstrated how to drill a hole in the ice and then we all had a look at some perch that had been caught earlier and kept in a live well.

20 inches thick!

Perch on display.

Curtis demonstrated all of the different equipment that can be used for ice fishing – everything from fancy rods and reels to homemade ones – not to mention the high-tech gadgetry that can be used to detect the fish.

Note the pop-up fishing hut in the background!

Then everyone had a chance to get fishing!

The fish were pretty elusive (possibly chilly!), but we did see a few.

Curtis caught one!

We could also warm up in Mike’s portable ice hut or trek back to the chalet for some heat and hot chocolate.

It was a great opportunity to do some ice fishing together during Family Fishing Weekend, too!

Mike with his kids!

A huge thank you to CO Mike Dubé for spending his time with us on Sunday, as well as Park Superintendent Curtis Thompson, Assistant Superintendent Robert Gunn and our volunteers (Alida Lemieux, Don Goodfellow, Linda McLaren and Stephanie Gray) and all the kids and parents who joined us.

Be sure to check this space for details of our next SKIP event on March 3: Campfires and Outdoor Cooking and More! Click here to pre-register.