The biggest prepared natural ice surface in Europe isn’t Scandinavian; it’s Austrian. Weissensee’s tourism website states that its lake has an ice surface that measures 6.5 km². Weissensee also has about 40 km of cross-country skiing tracks. Make sure you pack your skis, skates… and your rod: from late winter, you can also fish through the ice there.
Fishing takes many forms and blends with various other pastimes. You can angle for salmon on the riverbank or voyage out to sea in search of mackerel. You can also cast your line into other forms of entertainment, such as angling documentaries and fishing-themed games like the Big Bass Splash slot online. Weissensee, however, takes things further. There, you can combine two pastimes into one day: skiing cross-country, then fishing on the frozen lake.
Never forget that the ice is king. It calls the shots. Austria.info’s guidance on ice fishing in Austria says you can fish through the ice, but you’re expected to follow the rules and take the appropriate precautions. These include keeping to the designated areas and making sure the ice isn’t at risk of collapsing. You also need to take the right safety gear. Ice and weather conditions can change quickly, so the need for caution and thorough preparation can’t be overstated. All of this should suit responsible skiers, as they already know the importance of careful preparation for a day out on the snow.
Source: Pexels
Similarly, the details are worth reading up on before you start packing your tackle. Alpine Pearls’ article on ice fishing at Lake Weissensee notes that permits are required, fishing is limited to specific areas and that the ice can be up to 40 cm thick. Perch, trout, pike and whitefish are all high on the anglers’ most wanted list. As such, it’s a good idea to sort out the paperwork and your gear at home rather than waiting until you’re actually there on the lake. You can get permits from the municipality or the local fishing association. As for tackle, along with the usual angling paraphernalia, ice fishermen and fisherwomen will usually take a sledge, ice auger and lots of warm clothes.
The main appeal for UK skiers is going off-piste in more ways than one. You can start the day on some cross-country tracks, head to the lake for some ice fishing in the afternoon, and even round the day off with a few laps on your skates. In fact, Weissensee’s site explains that skaters can explore a 25 km track and a 400 m one for speed skaters. Whether you want to do one, two or all three of these activities, all you need is sound planning, plenty of layers and common sense.
Source: Pexels
Ice fishing is a wonderful complement to skiing cross-country. Don’t go too far off-piste, though: get your permits, stick to the designated areas and make sure the ice is strong enough. If you plan ahead, a frozen lake can be a perfect setting for an extra chapter of your skiing holiday.