What would be the highlights to the timing fall - spring? Fish species, daylight hours, ice condition??
If you want to experience a Canuck winter and try ice fishing, it's just a matter of picking a time and crossing your fingers.
December, early ice, is a lot of fun, but might be a little nerve-wracking for a noob.
January is probably the slowest time, but even then I rarely get skunked. March has the most opportunity for great fishing, but is also one of the most volatile times weather wise. March can be -30 or +15, often with lots of wind and snow. Blizzard one day and then the next you fish in a t-shirt. March is when the burbot spawn and when the big pike are in pre-spawn.
If the wind isn't howling, as long as it is above -30, fishing is doable(I've fished in -40, but it isn't fun. stuff freezes up or breaks). It's even warm and comfy once you get set up and the heater running.
I mainly target pike, walleye, burbot and sometimes perch. There are trout lakes around, but they have very little appeal to me.
I have a list of over 60 fishable water-bodies within 150 km of my home.
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As for gear, quality footwear would be the only item that you would need. I have all the fishing gear. As for clothes, you are probably well versed in layering and know not to wear cotton against your skin. If you want, you could hit a thrift store or two in YEG and grab a warm coat and a sweater or two.