Ice fishing in Greenland

Greenland, one of the largest islands in the world, belonging to Denmark, represents almost 97% of Denmark’s overall territory. For many tourists (and travel agencies, for that matter), Greenland is the blank spot on the map. Ask a random person on the street what is there to see in Greenland, and chances are that they won’t be able to tell you anything.

In fact, there is plenty to see in Greenland, although everything seems to be larger and wilder than in other parts of the world. The icebergs, glaciers, magnificent wildlife and hiking paths in Greenland create the perfect vacation spot for the adventure traveler, but that’s not all: there’s also ice fishing!

Ice fishing seems like something that you only see in cartoons or documentaries about peoples beyond the Arctic Circle, and frankly, what you saw in those documentaries is what you’ll get. The fishing season in Greenland begins in December, when ice covers the fjords in Ammassalik. As soon as the layer of snow becomes thick enough to allow dog sleds, the locals (and a handful of tourists) dig cut holes in the ice and attempt to catch fish. The type of fish that you can expect to catch depends on where you go fishing, but the best months for fishing are usually March and April. There are several species that you catch: halibut, redfish, catfish and shark.

Before embarking on a fishing trip, you should know that it usually takes a few hours to get to your chosen fishing spot from wherever you are stationed. If you are afraid of the cold, you can probably rent an ice shanty, although that would mean that you can’t admire the icy scenery while waiting for the fish to bite.

While there are several agencies that organize ice fishing tours, it’s always better to bring your own tools with you. For beginners, this means that you should have a saw, auger or chisel in order to cut a circular hole in the ice.

Ice fishing in the olden days meant that you would drill your hole and wait patiently for a fish to bite the hook. However, nowadays there are rather advanced technologies that can ensure that you don’t go home empty handed. If catching lots of fish is your goal, you should probably bring a sonar with you, and be prepared to drill throw large quantities of bait for the fish, and to drill several holes.

If, however, you are fishing for the fun of it, don’t bother with fancy equipment, and just enjoy the simple pleasures of a sport that has been practiced for centuries.

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