Ice fishing huts are popping up on Lake Simcoe as anglers look for trout, white fish, herring, and perch.
“We've been watching the ice and watching everybody going out,” said fisherman Pete Pancel. “Today is our day.”
Bear Point Ice Hut Rentals owner Don Luchkiw says the recent cold snap has helped prepare the ice for the season.
“To be quite honest I don’t think we could have got out any earlier. The lake didn’t freeze until four or five days before it just so happened it put on six inches of black out here.”
People have been fishing on Cooks Bay for weeks but are just starting to go out near Big Bay Point and Kempenfelt Bay.
The Ministry of Natural Resources (MNR) was also out making sure rules were being followed.
“Today I’m seeing quite a few lake trout being caught and a couple of white fish,” said Brett Cachagee from the MNR. “I haven’t seen any herring yet. They're doing well down in Cooks Bay on the perch.”
Police remind fishers to make sure they have proper safety gear, including a fully charged cell phone.
