Last week I tried a new lake for rainbow trout. I have next to no experience fishing for rainbows, but I do fish for brook trout quite often. To start, I drilled many holes around a point. Then I moved across the lake to a small bay.
No marks on the sonar for a long time.
Then one showed up at the mouth of the bay in 12 feet of water – maybe a foot or two off bottom and swimming out of the shallow bay.
That ended up being my first rainbow trout through the ice: a beautiful 20" fish.
Tried something new this winter: sight fishing for brook trout through the ice!
It’s a really fun, visual way to fish — especially on cold days when you’re tucked into a heated hut. I just published a blog post breaking down what I learned on my first outing, including hole setup, why a net is critical, and how lure size can make or break the bite.
In the blog post, I've embedded a video from @differentfins YouTube channel. Make sure to check out his channel, as he has many amazing videos of sight fishing through the ice.
Two very different ice fishing trips on Lake Temagami — one back in 2020 and another in January 2026 — but both unforgettable. ❄️🎣 From ice bungalows and quiet waters to battling injuries and frigid temps, these trips reminded me why I love ice fishing in Northern Ontario.
Greg Cholkan
When targeting brook trout through the ice, how deep do you usually fish?
4 days ago | [YT] | 0
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Greg Cholkan
Are you ready for ice fishing season to end? ❄️🎣
1 week ago | [YT] | 0
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Greg Cholkan
What’s more important for winter trout:
Depth or availability of prey?
1 week ago | [YT] | 0
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Greg Cholkan
Last week I tried a new lake for rainbow trout. I have next to no experience fishing for rainbows, but I do fish for brook trout quite often. To start, I drilled many holes around a point. Then I moved across the lake to a small bay.
No marks on the sonar for a long time.
Then one showed up at the mouth of the bay in 12 feet of water – maybe a foot or two off bottom and swimming out of the shallow bay.
That ended up being my first rainbow trout through the ice: a beautiful 20" fish.
When do you decide it’s time to move?
2 weeks ago | [YT] | 0
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Greg Cholkan
Recently, I drilled a giant hole to sight fish for brook trout.
Honestly… it changed the experience completely.
What’s one thing you’ve tried that made ice fishing way more fun?
3 weeks ago | [YT] | 1
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Greg Cholkan
When you’re ice fishing, what’s more important to you?
3 weeks ago | [YT] | 0
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Greg Cholkan
Tried something new this winter: sight fishing for brook trout through the ice!
It’s a really fun, visual way to fish — especially on cold days when you’re tucked into a heated hut. I just published a blog post breaking down what I learned on my first outing, including hole setup, why a net is critical, and how lure size can make or break the bite.
In the blog post, I've embedded a video from @differentfins YouTube channel. Make sure to check out his channel, as he has many amazing videos of sight fishing through the ice.
If you’re curious about sight fishing through the ice, check out the full post here:
👉 gcholkanfishing.blogspot.com/2026/02/sight-fishing…
#IceFishing #BrookTrout #SightFishing #OntarioFishing
4 weeks ago | [YT] | 1
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Greg Cholkan
Have you ever sight fished through the ice?
4 weeks ago | [YT] | 1
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Greg Cholkan
Would you sleep on the ice at –39°C?
4 weeks ago | [YT] | 0
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Greg Cholkan
Two very different ice fishing trips on Lake Temagami — one back in 2020 and another in January 2026 — but both unforgettable. ❄️🎣 From ice bungalows and quiet waters to battling injuries and frigid temps, these trips reminded me why I love ice fishing in Northern Ontario.
Curious how the fishing went and what I’d do differently next time? Check out the full trip report on the blog:
gcholkanfishing.blogspot.com/2020/02/lake-temagami…
#icefishing #laketemagami #ontariofishing #northernontario #fishingtrip
4 weeks ago | [YT] | 0
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