Conquering Midseason Slush

Winters in Northern North America come with a collection of terrible conditions that push even the most adventurous anglers inside. The cold temperatures, the snow and rain, and the freezing wind can all play their part in creating dangerous and tumultuous conditions. Thankfully in the past years ice fishing technology has come a long way to fight off the winter weather, turning the sport of ice fishing into an activity for all conditions. However, every year in late February leading into March comes a challenge that ice fishing companies have yet to address with new equipment and technology; slush.

Slush forms from the weight of the snow pushing down on the ice. When ice forms on a lake it is a floating mat of ice, creating a barrier between the water and air. When snow begins to accumulate the ice will bend from the weight, creating dip. Ice which is permeable, then allows water to filter through and fill in the dip formed on top of the lake. The snow than will insulate the newest layer of water which stays in a liquid form hidden just under the untouched snow. What looks like a frozen lake may actually be feet of slush unable to freeze until disturbed. For any angler who has dealt with the slush, it is a swear inducing death trap, that can ruin a fishing trip like none other. Fair weather anglers usually use the slush as a mid-winter break from ice fishing, waiting for the warm days of march to go back out, turning their back to the empty lakes and the staged-up winter fish. Here are some ways to continue to fish, in the face of slushy adversity.

Before you go

Ice conditions and slush are both crucial pieces of information when planning a trip. Local knowledge is often the best method to gain ice condition information. A bait shop owner who may see hundreds of fishermen a day is a great place to seek local knowledge, but it often comes coded. Unlike to tell you everything you’ve ever wanted to know, local information can be cryptic, and left to be deciphered. Phrases like “couple people are still going out”, or “you’ll be fine if you stay on the trail” usually mean that there is slush, but it is manageable. Knowing how slush forms on waterbodies can give you an idea beforehand of places to stay away from. Bays and deep shorelines with heavy amounts of windswept snow causes uneven weight distribution, a hotspot for slush. Creekmouths and narrows, or any area with current can also be a place to find slush time and time again. Knowing where to look makes staying away that much easier.

Pack Properly

Ice fishing seems like an endless game of packing, unpacking, repacking and packing again. So, when it is slushy on the lakes, packing for slush is a must. With fishing in slush the two options in packing are either lightweight to stay above the slush, or go big and power through it. Lightweight requires you to stay above or away from the slush, avoiding it rather than struggling through it. The opposite end of the spectrum is to power through slush with the help of snowmobiles. Tired vehicles become useless in slush season, so snowmobiles win the day. Wide tracks allow you to stay on top and power over and through slush. If that is your approach it is irresponsible not to bring the equipment to get you out of slush. Handtools like a shovel and axe are great for digging yourself out and managing through most situations, but it is a great idea to bring a Come along, or winch system if the conditions warrant it. Sometimes conditions could cause waist deep slush conditions, burying snowmobiles up to their handlebars. Preparing for the worst case scenario is a never fail way to always be prepared.

Identifying Slush

There are some giveaways that slush produces, keys and tips on where it hides just under the snowy surface to ruin an anglers day. Some areas of lakes are more prone to slush. Back end bays full of windswept snow, or creek mouths likely fill with slush, and unless you have to be in those back end bays you shouldn’t. Areas with current often have less ice, and the weight on these narrows often sag, which you guessed it. More slush.

Sometimes slush can give visual cues warning you ahead of time. Spots, sunken snow, airholes, and areas lacking snow on the ice. These signs should be synonymous with staying away. If theres enough slush in an area to show itself through the snows surface, the area around it probably just as bad. Not all slush will give a visual sign, especially with heavy snow loads, but that doesn’t mean you should not look for it.

A sunken depression. This entire bay was filled with knee deep slush, but by paying attention it was avoided.

An airhole right beside a packed snowmobile track. Speed is key when running over slush, but part of me wonders if the sledder even noticed.

Making Trails

Slush stays liquid because of the snow insulating it. So, when disturbed and exposed to the winter air slush freezes. After a cold night or two, travel can be done on the packed down trails, staying on the ice above. A step off the frozen trail and you could be back in the slush, so its best to pack trails wide. If you need to cross a slushy area plan to travel the same route to make it easier on yourself and gear. Sometimes I have spent an entire day packing trails at my favourite ice fishing spots, knowing that the packed and frozen trails would be welcomed the next day, able to fish slush free. When making your trails always go for the straightest path.

Not only will it be the shortest distance but you’ll be able to go faster going straight. weeks after I left a track on one of my favourite lakes, I was able to travel the same route slush free by following my old trails, even after multiple snow storms. Create your trails, let them freeze and go fishing.

When travelling lightweight, sticking to the shorelines is safer than crossing potential slushy areas in open bays. Not only can you escape off the ice if conditions worsen, but ice near shore might actually be sitting on the bottom rather than floating.

Staying safe

When the lakes are covered in slush, its near impossible to go out and not deal with slush to some extent. If you get wet, especially into the base layers, this can be deadly. Whenever you deal with slush its best to clean yourself off as best as possible. Remove built up ice, try to dry out clothes, and keep your feet dry. Letting the slush freeze and build up on you and your gear just adds weight and gives something for more slush to stick to. If not dealt with, snow and ice will cover and freeze up your clothes, snowmobiles, and fishing gear. If you get wet, you need to get out of your wet clothes and get dry. My rule is once I get a soaker, the trip is over. This rule of thumb has given me a guideline to stay safe on the ice. No fish is worth your life.

Altering your fishing tactics

Sometimes slush can keep you away from your fishing spots, restricting your options to drier places on the hardwater. Standing around in the slush is not ideal, so using a mat is a great way to space out your weight and stay on top of the slush. Drilling holes beside your packed trail is another way to stay out of the slush while still in these areas. You can stay surefooted on the frozen packed ice if you only stay on the trail. Tip ups are another great slushy water tactic, reducing the time in the wet areas on the lake. Sitting on a shoreline or standing on a packed frozen area watching for a flag keeps the boots dry until it is time to pull up your catch.

Writing multiple pages about slush is almost as painful as being stuck in the slush itself. Hundreds of bad memories of past trips flood in like the water filling my boot prints, freezing up my mind like wet thick snow. I dug through the piles of stories and chiseled out these tips to help my fellow angler. From submerged ice shacks to stiff snow suits and all the lessons learned from the mistakes made along the way, slush is no joke. This article is meant to give tips and advice to survive and thrive with poor ice conditions rather than encourage you to try. Staying safe while fishing should always be priority number one, and when you plan ahead, pay attention and prepare for the worst you can safely conquer anything that might come your way.

Conquering slush can be rewarding if done right. This beautiful brook trout was caught on a lightweight fishing trip using just snowshoes and a backpack on a trail tight to shore to stay out of slush. I was sitting on a rock point out of the slush using tip ups. fishing my tip ups no further than twenty feet off shore. Its not always the most glamorous fishing but when conditions get bad it can be the only way to get out.