[I Know It's Too Early]

I'm no expert but this is what I wish some laid out for me when I started two seasons ago (for trout fishing):

 

Rod - 24" Medium (24" Med-Light, if you're only fishing for little guys). Long rods are annoying for a number of reasons IMO.

 

Reel - Sometimes they come with a rod but those can be quite terrible... My basic criteria is small, light with a decent drag system. My wife and I have the smallest pfleuger president's available for reference. 100 yds is more than enough capacity especially if you're using braid.

 

Line - 10lb braid (I use spider wire), with 8 or 10lb fluoro leader

 

Lures: 2" white/pink buzzbombs, 1"-3" white single tail mister twisters (with appropriate sized jig heads), little cleo spoons (blue/silver for instance) can work well, I've also had some luck on glow in the dark "buck shot" rattling lures. A SJW can work too.

 

-Where Permitted- Smelt or powerbait trout nibbles (chartreuse or orange) on a bare hook with some weight to get it down (side note: especially when using bait I make sure to crimp my hook, hungry trout sometimes take them deep).

 

Lakes: Upper/Lower Kananaskis, Spray Lakes Res. and Chain Lakes plus there are quite a few little lakes near Caroline/Sundre that aren't bad. Chestermere is close but only has smallish pike, if you're into that. Apparently Pine Coulee Res. is good walleye/pike fishing, I've never been.

 

Auger: 8" Hand Auger will be fine for the first two months (approx.), as the season wears on the hole making process becomes "fun" (ice can get very thick...)

 

EXTRAS: (really) warm boots that are waterproof, Gloves (I have had better experience with lighter breathable windproof gloves than heavy mitts), hot coffee, cold refreshments, warm lunch.

[Launches]

How's the lot at Mac? Is it accessible for a car? Will just be using a pontoon.

There are a few drainage ruts on the hill but otherwise you won't have a problem.