Gentle temperatures are postponing the commencement of the ice fishing season at a well-liked location for winter anglers to the southwest of Quebec City. A panoramic sight of over 350 ice fishing cabins along the Ste-Anne River in Sainte-Anne-de-la-Perade, Quebec was captured on Sunday, Jan. 15, 2023. This image is credited to Bernard Brault from THE CANADIAN PRESS.
Unseasonably mild weather is throwing a wrench into the plans of winter anglers eagerly awaiting the commencement of the ice fishing season in Sainte-Anne-de-la-Pérade, a popular location for this chilly pastime southwest of Quebec City. For the past 85 years, fishing enthusiasts have convened in this quaint town to set up camp along the Sainte-Anne River, a tributary of the St-Lawrence River known for its significance as a winter breeding ground for the migratory Atlantic tomcod.
Traditionally, the ice fishing season kicks off around Christmas, but this year, the temperatures need to be more cooperative, hindering the formation of a sufficiently thick layer of ice. The usual picturesque scene of fishing cottages dotting the frozen waterway is noticeably absent, as the ice remains insufficient to support such structures. To expedite the process, officials have been consistently watering the river surface for weeks, but as of Christmas Day, the ice depth fell short of the targeted 10 inches.
The Association des pourvoyeurs de la rivière Sainte-Anne, the organization overseeing local fishing activities, expressed their disappointment on social media, acknowledging the community's anticipation for the 86th ice fishing season. In a post on Christmas morning, they shared, "This festive season, we were so excited to bring you a wonderful announcement as a Christmas gift: the imminent opening of our 86th ice fishing season. But, as you know, we'll all have to be a little more patient... Nature has her own plans."
Despite initially optimistic signs pointing towards sustainable ice formation, recent weather conditions have thwarted plans for a December 26 start. Persistent rain and temperatures rising to 9 degrees Celsius have played spoilsport, leaving the anglers and the local community in suspense.
Looking ahead, Environment Canada's forecast for the region predicts more rain and positive temperatures in the coming week. In Trois-Rivières, the nearby city, temperatures are not expected to drop significantly below freezing until Friday, with the possibility of consistently frigid weather through the weekend.
Comparing the current situation to historical weather data from Environment Canada reveals a stark contrast. The average daily December temperature for Sainte-Anne-de-la-Pérade between 1981 and 2010 was -7.9 degrees Celsius, emphasizing the abnormality of this year's mild weather.
This isn't the first time mild weather has disrupted the onset of ice fishing on the Sainte-Anne River. Last year experienced a similar delay, yet the spot still managed to attract a substantial crowd, with as many as 75,000 visitors reported by the Association des pourvoyeurs de la rivière Sainte-Anne by the end of the 2023 season in February. Despite the setback, the enthusiasm of the fishing community remains undeterred, eagerly awaiting the arrival of conditions conducive to the much-anticipated ice fishing season.
