Maggots & worms, there's nothing better than a live critter

The next ice fishing season is on its way, and in Quebec, new rules regulate the use of live baits. Live fishes are now prohibited and we have to find new ways to fish efficiently. But don’t forget that live worms and maggots still make a difference on many species!

Here’s what you need to know to use them with efficiency.

You have to store them in the best conditions you can offer. When you get high volumes of critters, you’re obviously looking for ways to ensure they don’t die one week after purchase. Follow these simple rules and it’ll be alright.

Use a big bucket and fil lit to the half with fresh sawdust. It’s better to offer them half the space available and leave the rest to the air, since they need to breathe, too!

Use an old refrigerator or a cool space to store them, such as a basement, or a cold chamber. Remember that you’re looking for a room temperature reaching an average of 39 to 42 degrees F°.

Take a moment every five days to clean their home. Throw the dead ones out, and change the sawdust. Take out most of it since it can carry germs. The best way to do that is to sieve the maggots with an old pasta colander.

Worms must be stored around these temperatures too. Keep them in the fridge. Don’t forget that when it’s cold, turning the heat on high in your car can kill them, because of the thermal shock they endure. So please think about them and slow down on heat when you travel to your best fishing spot. Don’t forget it’s better to have lethargic worms at the end of your line rather than dead ones.

Here’s now a little tip about maggot colors. Take a little amount of maggots and keep them in the pill bottles your pharmacist give you. Sprinkle a few drops of liquid food coloring, and here we go for color! Don’t forget this method doesn’t last, so use it with caution, since they will die in a few days afterwards.

You will find other products that offer a nice compromise, if you can’t find live critters : Maggots, from Berkley (in many colors), mummified maggots, and a plethora of artificial lures that look like them. That being said, nothing beats a fresh maggot on the line, when fishing gets hard and when you explore new territories.