The top end of Banks Lake has a good layer of ice on it and that draws winter anglers out in force. They are after the big lake variety of whitefish that inhabit Banks in huge numbers. I have heard that 50 percent of the biomass of Banks is made up of these fish. There is a big contingent of winter anglers that love them. The lake variety of whitefish, which are different than the ones we find in our rivers and streams, average 2 or 3 pounds, and some as large as 5 or 6 pounds can be taken. These fish will gather at the upper end of the lake and that’s why so many make Coulee Playland the spot where they gather their gear to head out. Tackle and bait is pretty simple. All you need for bait is the small “salad” shrimp or corn. One local expert likes to use a “mosquito” style hook in size 6 or 8, which is a fine wire hook. Just get this near the bottom and you are fishing. Another important bit of information about winter whitefishing is that it is a night-time fishery. The best bite always occurs when it is flat dark.