Big day for ice fishing on Lake Simcoe

It’s a big day for many local ice hut operators on Lake Simcoe.

“We are pumped up for our big opening day on Cook’s Bay on Lake Simcoe and silver city. It’s beautiful to get out and enjoy winter,” said Luke Lidley from Fish Simcoe Hardwater Outfitters.

Ledlie is officially open for business Thursday after being on the ice for just 17 days last year.

“We like to have a thick layer of ice under us before we start to mess around out here... and we’ve got it now so we are rolling,” said Lidley.

While many people have already been out this season, this week’s polar vortex sealed the deal for many.

“Oh it’s helped making it pretty good there we had about nine inches on Tuesday... and I’d say we had about eleven when we left today [Thursday] and the cold definitely was keeping things brisk but definitely is making ice that’s for sure,” said Tom Brownell an ice fisherman.

The return of the season is big business. From ice hut operators to local restaurants to local shops that sell bait.

From Big Bay Point in Innsifil to Minutes Point in Barrie, it’s officially go time.

“We wait for the outfitters out at Bear Point and Cooks Bay. Once they start pulling their huts out and then we go out and make sure we’ve got our spud bar and our mustang suits and life suits and and yea. Just take our time going out,” said Scott Lytle an ice fisherman.

The best advise for anyone planning to head out on any body of water in our area is to check in with local ice hut operators first. They typically have the latest and best information when it comes to ice thickness.