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  • What To Bring For An Ice Fishing Adventure🎣
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What To Bring For An Ice Fishing Adventure🎣

There’s still great fishing to be had during the wintertime!

The ice fishing season provides fantastic angling opportunities in Prince Edward County. You can get out on the hard water with minimal equipment, or gear up with handy items that make for a more comfortable experience.

Image & Words by: Ashley Rae | SheLovesToFish.com

bay of quinte ice fishing hut auger walleye winter

I’ve created a list of equipment I like to bring along during my ice fishing adventures, including safety items that all anglers should have.

Warm Attire

Because ice fishing can involve a mixture of activity and sitting still for long periods, it’s important to wear the right clothing.

Dressing in layers and avoiding cotton will make for a warmer and more comfortable experience. Moisture-wicking base layers made of materials such as merino wool or polypropylene pull away sweat and moisture, keeping you dry and therefore warmer during less active periods.

bay of quinte ice fishing hut auger walleye winter

Waterproof insulated boots, a warm pair of waterproof gloves and a fleece-lined toque will also help keep the warmth in.

In addition to dressing right, it’s a good idea to wear a floatation suit. Ice picks should also be part of your attire as they can be used to pull oneself back onto the ice in the event of breaking through.

Ice Spud/Chisel

Safety is always a priority when it comes to being out on the ice especially on the Bay of Quinte where current is present. A spud or an ice chisel is a long, heavy metal bar with a sharp edge designed to help check ice thickness by chipping a hole.

By checking the ice thickness a step ahead, this can help detect thinner ice that is too unstable to walk on.

bay of quinte ice fishing hut auger walleye winter

Auger

There are many auger options on the market nowadays from manual hand augers, to gas-powered and electric.

When thicker ice is present, a power auger makes the job of cutting holes much easier. Always ensure the auger blades are good and sharp.

I also like to bring along an ice scoop to keep the ice holes clear of ice chunks or slush so that I can jig my lures properly, and not run into any drama when bringing a fish up through the hole.

Cleats

Cleats come in handy not only for walking around with ease on glare ice but they also help to prevent slipping when drilling holes.

Ice Shelters

There are a variety of options when it comes to ice shelters ranging from homemade huts, to one-person flip-overs, to pop-up shelters with space for the whole family.

Ice shelters are certainly optional but it’s nice to be able to get out of the elements on a cold winter day.

On the cooler days I prefer fishing in comfort inside my shelter with my propane heater running. Always ensure there’s ventilation when using propane heaters inside shelters.

bay of quinte ice fishing hut auger walleye winter

Fishing Equipment

The Bay of Quinte offers ice fishing opportunities for a variety of species including: walleye, northern pike, yellow perch, and black crappie along with some alternate species. Be sure to refer to the Ontario fishing regulations before heading out on the ice so that you’ll know which species are in season and what the limits are.

Recommended tackle and equipment varies depending on the species you’re after.

Refer to one of the region’s fishing tackle retailers to find out what works well in the area.

bay of quinte ice fishing hut auger walleye winter
Courtesy of Ashley Rae, SheLovesToFish.com

Food and water

Lastly, it’s important to stay hydrated and keep energy levels up while out on the hard water as this will also aid in keeping warm. I like to bring along granola bars, a sandwich or a bagel, and lots of water. I’ll often wrap my sandwich in tinfoil and heat it up on my propane heater. Additionally, a thermos filled with coffee or hot chocolate seems to taste better while consumed out on the ice.

I hope you have a safe and successful ice fishing season!

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Visit The County is the DMMO for #PrinceEdwardCounty, a rural community bursting with creative talent & natural stunners.

Prince Edward County ❄️🍷🍽️🍁
March isn’t over but with all of the delicious M March isn’t over but with all of the delicious Maple Festivities we couldn’t wait to share a recap so far.

BIG thanks to all of our lovely, hardworking local maple syrup producers and maple supporters. 🍁 

Every year March gets sweeter and sweeter so make sure you plan a visit to Prince Edward County during maple season next year.

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#PrinceEdwardCounty #PEC #CountyUp #DiscoverON #VisitTheCounty #SouthEasternOntario #TheCounty #BayOfQuinte #DiscoverOntario #Picton #SandbanksPP #VisitPEC #ExperienceTheCounty #MapleSyrup #March
Mark your calendars! This year's Waterfalls Tour Mark your calendars!

This year's Waterfalls Tour event is on April 8 & 9 from 11am - 4pm each day. A family friendly event organized by the Rotary Club of Picton to take in the beauty of two of Prince Edward County's picturesque waterfalls. Big thanks to the land owner's of Jackson Falls and Cape Vessey Falls for welcoming us all.⁠
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Entry is by donation in support of Back the Build, Ukraine Relief and other projects of the Rotary Club of Picton. ⁠

Enjoy a short hike outdoors with your friends, family or simply, just your camera.

Picture by Robbie Garden.⁠

For more information please visit https://pictonrotary.ca/page/waterfalls-tour

#PrinceEdwardCounty #PEC #CountyUp #DiscoverON #VisitTheCounty #SouthEasternOntario #TheCounty #BayOfQuinte #DiscoverOntario #Picton #Waterfalls #VisitPEC #outdoors
We will soon be in full bloom. 🌼 Let us know i We will soon be in full bloom. 🌼

Let us know in the comments 👇🏼 the bloom you are looking forward to most. We are already dreaming up sunflowers over here.

This spring image in the County captured by @kassandramelnykphoto 
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#PrinceEdwardCounty #PEC #CountyUp #DiscoverON #VisitTheCounty #SouthEasternOntario #TheCounty #BayOfQuinte #DiscoverOntario #Picton #OutDoors #VisitPEC #ExperienceTheCounty #Spring #flowers
Finding colour & beauty despite the weather today. Finding colour & beauty despite the weather today. A grey day is all how you look at it. 💛
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#PrinceEdwardCounty #PEC #CountyUp #DiscoverON #VisitTheCounty #SouthEasternOntario #TheCounty #BayOfQuinte #DiscoverOntario #Picton #SandbanksPP #VisitPEC #ExperienceTheCounty #travelphotography
🍽️ A Delicious Giveaway 🍽️ We're three 🍽️ A Delicious Giveaway 🍽️

We're three weeks away from Countylicious and to count down we're giving away $100 to each of our 16 participating Countylicious restaurants. 
⁠
Comment on the post below and mention who you would want to take out for a Countylicious meal at one of the five following restaurants: ⁠
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🍽 Chef Sean Finnerty of @parsonsbrewing has worked up delicious $30 Lunch and $60 dinner menus featuring dishes such as Concinita Bibil Torta and Elote Caesar.

🍽 At @jacksonsfallscountryinn, Chef Chris Wylie has developed a $20 Lunch menu that can be enjoyed on weekends throughout Countylicious. If you struggle to choose between sweet and savoury brunches, this is the menu for you. 
⁠
🍽 Chef Amanda Ray of @drakedevonshire is serving up an inventive $60 dinner menu with spring-inspired dishes like Mushroom & Leek Mezzaluna and Honey Chamomile Pannacotta. 
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🍽 At @pastaonesta Chef Martin Brzozowski's $20 lunch and $45 dinner menus will transport you straight to Italy with dishes like Focaccia with mortadella, arugula and fior di latte, and Rigatoni with quanciale, pomodoro and pecorino. 
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🍽 Chef Leah Marshall Hannon's $45 dinner menu @stellaseatery features a host of must-try dishes like Braised Bison Brisket and Cedar Crème Brulée. 
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Swipe to see their menus and head to countylicious.ca to book your table! Come back every week for even more restaurant features and giveaways! ⁠
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Content Rules:⁠
⁠
1. Follow @VisitTheCounty on Instagram⁠
2. Like this post⁠
3. Comment and mention a friend. 1 comment with unique mention = 1 entry. Max 5 entries per person.

Winners for each individual giveaway will be contacted via Instagram DM and announced on stories the day following contest closure.⁠ Winners will be assigned a gift card at random from the group of restaurants featured in this giveaway post⁠. Winners will only be contacted by @VisitTheCounty. DMs from any other handles should be considered spam.⁠
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Contest closes March 29 at 11:59pm⁠
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#PrinceEdwardCounty #PEC #CountyUp #DiscoverON #VisitTheCounty #SouthEasternOntario #TheCounty #BayOfQuinte #DiscoverOntario #Picton #SandbanksPP #VisitPEC #countylicious
🍁 Maple in The County is back! 🍁 Maple seas 🍁 Maple in The County is back! 🍁

Maple season is in full swing and the celebrations in Prince Edward County will culminate in the long-awaited return of Maple in The County from March 25-26, 2023. Featuring 5 local sugarbushes and a host of local businesses, Maple in The County is a wonderful outing for the whole family. Come on out to tour a sap house, enjoy a pancake breakfast, walk through the maple woods, and so much more. Head to mapleinthecounty.ca for more information and to plan your Maple in The County route! 

Participating Sugarbushes: 

Sweetwater Cabin / Hubbs Sugarbush
Fosterholm Farms
Vader's Maple Syrup @vadersmaple 
Roblin's Maple Syrup @roblins.maple 
Loha Farms @lohafarms 

📷 by Ramesh Pooran of the Wellington Times

#PrinceEdwardCounty #PEC #CountyUp #DiscoverON #VisitTheCounty #SouthEasternOntario #TheCounty #BayOfQuinte #DiscoverOntario #Picton #SandbanksPP #VisitPEC #mapleinthecounty
🌱 Spring Countylicious 🌱 Countylicious is b 🌱 Spring Countylicious 🌱

Countylicious is back for spring from April 12 - May 1, 2023! Come out to The County for three weeks of prix fixe dining at restaurants you know, love, and have been dying to try. Stay tuned as we reveal menus and gift card giveaway from all 16 participating restaurants: 

@flameandsmith 
@7numberspicton 
@bloomfieldpublichouse 
@555brewingco 
@parsonsbrewing 
@pastaonesta 
@theroyalhotelpicton 
@TheWaringHouse 
@DrakeDevonshire 
@MerrillHouse1879 
@JacksonsFallsCountryInn 
@BocadoPEC 
@MatronFineBeer 
@StellasEatery 
@HartleysTavern 
@waupoosestatesrestaurant 

Head to http://countylicious.ca/ today to start planning your Countylicious experience.

#PrinceEdwardCounty #PEC #CountyUp #DiscoverON #VisitTheCounty #SouthEasternOntario #TheCounty #BayOfQuinte #DiscoverOntario #Picton #SandbanksPP #VisitPEC #Countylicious
🍁 Maple & More 🍷 Wondering what to do in Th 🍁 Maple & More 🍷

Wondering what to do in The County this March? Check out our latest blog for a round-up of everything you can see and do this month, from indulging in maple treats at local sugar bushes and eateries with @maplemadnesspec  and @mapleinthecounty, to tasting wines at the inaugural Élevage: PEC Winter Wine Festival hosted by @pecwine , and everything in between. We've also included a preview of what you can expect next month (hint: it's de-LICIOUS 😉).

Link in bio 👆

Image description: Sweetwater Cabin at Hubbs Sugar Bush, Maple in The County participant, taken by Karen Palmer. Above the image is a banner which reads "Experience Maple & More in The County this March." 

 #PrinceEdwardCounty #PEC #CountyUp #DiscoverON #VisitTheCounty #SouthEasternOntario #TheCounty #BayOfQuinte #DiscoverOntario #Picton #SandbanksPP #VisitPEC #MapleInTheCounty #MapleMadnessPEC #elevagepec #pecwine #MarchinTheCounty
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