Ice fishing for walleye on 31-Mile Lake is where my winter season comes alive. There's something magical about drilling through ice, watching jigging raps dance in the water below, and waiting for that telltale hit from a walleye. I've spent over fifty days on this lake across multiple winters, and I've developed a system that consistently puts fish on the ice. Let me walk you through what I've learned.
Why 31-Mile Lake for Winter Walleye
31-Mile Lake, located in the Kawartha region of Ontario, is a destination lake for winter walleye anglers. The lake's structure—deep basins, rocky reefs, and weed beds beneath the ice—creates ideal walleye habitat year-round. In winter, walleye concentrate in predictable areas, making them catchable for patient anglers.
The Lake's Personality
This lake has about 35 kilometers of shoreline and depths ranging from 15 to over 80 feet. The deepest basin holds winter populations, but I've had equal success on the shallower reefs (20-35 feet) where walleye hunt smaller fish. The lake's fish population is healthy, and the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources manages it well.
The Essential Shelter: Eskimo QuickFish 3i
My first purchase when I committed to ice fishing was the Eskimo QuickFish 3i. This is not a luxury; it's a necessity. I fish in temperatures that can drop to -25°C, and without proper shelter, you're done in two hours.
Why I Trust the Eskimo QuickFish 3i
The Eskimo QuickFish 3i offers:
- Quick setup: I can be fishing within 5 minutes of pulling it from my truck. The flip-open design is game-changing.
- Three-person capacity: Enough room for me, a friend, and my gear without feeling cramped.
- Insulation: The material holds heat effectively, especially when combined with my Mr. Heater Buddy.
- Visibility: The windows provide natural light and allow me to see above-ice movement (important for safety).
I've used cheaper shelters, and I always regret it. The Eskimo QuickFish 3i is a long-term investment that I've owned for six seasons.
Heating with the Mr. Heater Buddy
Inside my Eskimo QuickFish 3i, the Mr. Heater Buddy is non-negotiable. This propane heater maintains a comfortable 15-20°C inside my shelter while the outside temperature plummets.
Safety First
The Mr. Heater Buddy is designed for enclosed spaces and has built-in safety features:
- Automatic shut-off if oxygen levels drop
- Tip-over protection
- Clean-burning operation
I still crack a vent hole to maintain air circulation. I also carry two propane cylinders per day, so I'm never dependent on a single tank.
Setup and Maintenance
I mount the Mr. Heater Buddy on a small stand outside the shelter entrance, drawing heat in. This keeps propane smell minimal and propane consumption lower. One cylinder lasts about 6-8 hours of continuous use.
The Rod and Reel System
My jigging setup is built around the St. Croix Eyecon rod, and this is where I invested in quality that pays dividends.
Why the St. Croix Eyecon
The St. Croix Eyecon is designed for ice fishing. Its characteristics:
- Sensitivity: I feel even the lightest jigging rap taps. This is crucial because walleye bites are often subtle.
- Power: When I set the hook, there's enough backbone to drive it home through the ice hole diameter.
- Length: The 28-32 inch length is perfect for jigging—short enough for control, long enough for leverage.
- Durability: Carbon fiber construction means it handles cold temperatures without becoming brittle.
I've seen jigging rods snap in winter because they become too stiff. The St. Croix Eyecon maintains its flex even in extreme cold.
Reel and Line Pairing
I use a simple ice fishing reel—a small spool design that allows me to feel the line directly. For line, I use braided line in 6-8 lb test. Braided line doesn't absorb water and freeze like monofilament does.
Jigging Raps and Tactics
My confidence in walleye comes from understanding how jigging raps work and how to present them.
The Jigging Rap Selection
I rotate between several styles:
- Small profile raps (2-3 inches): These resemble smelt and other small forage fish. I use these primarily on 31-Mile Lake.
- Larger profiles (3-4 inches): Better for generating vibration and attracting fish from a distance.
- Colors: I start with silver and white, then transition to gold and chartreuse if activity drops.
The Jigging Presentation
The Lift and Drop: I lift the rap 12-18 inches off bottom, then let it flutter back down. This creates the motion and vibration that triggers strikes. The flutter descent is key—I don't just drop it; I let it helicopter down slowly, which mimics an injured baitfish.
The Pause: After several lift-and-drop cycles, I pause the rap on bottom for 2-3 seconds. Many of my best fish have come on these pauses.
The Cadence: My rhythm isn't random. I lift sharply, drop slowly, pause, then repeat. Consistent cadence seems to work better than erratic jigging.
Where to Fish on 31-Mile Lake
The Deep Basin (60-80 feet)
I'll fish the deepest basin during mid-winter. Walleye suspend at mid-depth (40-50 feet) here, using the bottom as a reference point. I focus on the structure changes—where the slope transitions from 70 feet to 50 feet.
The Rocky Reef Complex (20-35 feet)
The northern shore has a significant reef system. This is my favorite area because the depths are manageable, and the rock structure attracts both walleye and their forage. I map this area during summer and mark waypoints on my GPS.
The Transition Zone (35-45 feet)
Where deeper water meets slightly shallower structure, walleye hunt. I've had some of my best days fishing the 40-foot contour line on the eastern end of the lake.
Weed Edges
Beneath the ice, dying vegetation still provides cover. I locate weed edges—transition points from open bottom to sparse weeds—and find walleye there consistently.
A Day on the Ice: My Routine
I arrive before sunrise. The fishing is best from 6 AM to 10 AM and again from 3 PM to dusk. The mid-day period (10 AM-3 PM) is slower, but I still fish it.
Setting Up
- I pull my Eskimo QuickFish 3i to a marked location on my GPS.
- I drill 3-4 holes using my hand auger (saves propane from a powered auger and gives me a workout).
- I set up the Mr. Heater Buddy and wait 5 minutes for the shelter to warm.
- I drop the St. Croix Eyecon rig into the first hole and begin jigging.
The Fishing
I focus intently on the first 30 minutes. If I don't get strikes, I move. I'll rotate through my drilled holes or relocate the shelter entirely. The key is not sitting passively; I'm actively searching for active fish.
Reading the Conditions
I pay attention to:
- Air temperature: Extreme cold (below -20°C) sometimes correlates with slower fishing.
- Barometric pressure: A rising barometer often triggers feeding activity.
- Time of day: Transitions (sunrise, sunset) are most productive.
Patience and Persistence
Ice fishing requires mental toughness. Some days, I'll drill 20 holes and find only two productive spots. Other days, my first hole produces constant action. I've learned to embrace the patience required.
The longest I've waited without a strike is 45 minutes. I've learned to stay seated, stay focused, and trust that walleye are somewhere beneath the ice.
Winter Clothing Layers
I won't detail this extensively, but proper insulation is as important as good gear. Wool or synthetic base layers, fleece mid-layers, and a quality winter parka keep me functional. I also wear a beanie—most heat loss occurs through the head.
The Reward
There's nothing quite like the first walleye of the season hitting the ice. The fight through the ice hole feels stronger than summer because of the direct line connection and the pure excitement of winter fishing. By my second outing, I'm already planning my return to 31-Mile Lake.
The Eskimo QuickFish 3i, the Mr. Heater Buddy, and the St. Croix Eyecon are my holy trinity of ice fishing comfort and success. Walleye on 31-Mile Lake are waiting, and I'll be back on the ice as long as winters provide ice thick enough to hold me.
Get your shelter ready, fill up those propane tanks, and I'll see you on the ice.