Ice fishing with kids at La Base Plein Air Sainte-Foy

Text written by Lisa-Marie @la_famille_faventure

Hey hey faventurers!

I have a great activity for you for the break. Ice fishing.

Hey hey faventureux!

I have a great activity for you for the break. Ice fishing.

I had in mind that ice fishing was reserved for a few creeks that had become a bit too fond of fishing to be able to take a break from their sport during the winter season. I recently discovered that you don’t need to be an expert to be able to indulge in the joys of ice fishing and that it is even an ideal activity to do with children. To get started, you don’t have to spend a fortune to equip yourself. The Base Plein Air Sainte-Foy in the heart of Quebec City has everything you need and even more. 

The Base Plein Air Sainte-Foy is ideal for families. In addition to being located in Quebec City, it is accustomed to bringing the joys of the outdoors to a less experienced clientele.

After a few minutes of walking, we find ourselves in the middle of the lake which is stocked with tasty trout. Staff are pleased to show and teach the basics of ice fishing and provide the required equipment. Guides first drill holes in the ice and then explain how to assemble the brimbal. It’s an assembly of poles, one of which contains a fishing wire on which there is a weight and a hook. The earthworms are provided and it only takes a very small tip to attract the fish. By making soft eyes, the guides can even install the brimbale and earthworms. 

Then comes the waiting game necessary for fishing. On the other hand, thanks to the ice, we don’t really need to remain silent in order for the fish to bite the bait. Fortunately, with all the discussions we had among adults and with the children who were heckling all around us, it would have been difficult to even hope to catch a fish in the summer. Yet the long-awaited moment has happened several times.

A subtle downward movement of the brimbal indicates that a fish is having a feast. It is time to give a quick shot on the phone and get the fish out of the water, much to the delight of the children. My little Nicolas, from the age of 3, had round eyes and his eyes lit up. I think he discovered a passion. It was possible to get him out of the water. He was so proud that he even agreed to take the fish in his hands and give it a kiss. 

If the children start to get tired of it or if they are cold, Base Plein Air Sainte-Foy has installed an outdoor fireplace on the lake to warm up and it is possible to use snow scooters to have fun and to externalize too much energy. 

After catching 7 fish in a few hours, we went inside to warm up in the main building of the Open Air Base. We took the opportunity to eat our picnic. After eating, resting and warming properly, we had plenty of choice for our afternoon activities.

It is possible to rent cross-country skis, including a ski sled suitable for children from 1 to 5 years, snowshoes and scooters. However, we opted for a good hike of about 2.2 km around the Grand Lac Laberge and through the vegetation tunnel. On the return trip, the children finished emptying their energy tank into a large snow mound near the parking lot. 

In the evening, the trout were prepared by first rolling them in flour and turning them in butter. The children, who are not usually fond of fish, have asked for more. You had to see my one-year-old girl love her dish like never before. 

The Base Plein Air Sainte-Foy has now become a must-see for us when we visit Quebec City. I’m already looking forward to the summer to go back to enjoy beach swimming, watercraft (kayaks, canoes, paddleboarding), fishing and many hiking trails. It seems that there is even an 18-basket Disc Golf circuit that is open both summer and winter.

I’ll probably get back to you soon.