Ice anglers may be champing at the bit to get out on local lakes, but experts say to pull back on the fishing pole and wait a little longer.
“Our season opened just yesterday and we don’t have ice, so that’s a major impact on our season,” said Callum Johnson, owner of Happy Go Fishing Charters and Bait Shop in Innisfil.
“There are some portions of the lake that people might try venturing out onto, but it’s not for the faint of heart. It’s at your own risk, and I wouldn’t recommend it,” he added.
Johnson said the ice fishing business is definitely slower out of the gate this year.
“On Lake Simcoe, we’re happy to get an eight-week season. A 10-week season is the maximum we can get from Jan. 1 to March 15, which is the time frame for which you’re legally allowed to have ice huts out on the ice,” said Johnson.
“Last year was a good example where winter kind of came late. We had safe ice out well into April, but we really couldn’t take advantage of it for the most part,” he said.
Johnson said Lake Couchiching does have some ice right now due to the lake being shallower, however he still wouldn’t recommend venturing out with the temperatures in fluctuation.
“It makes for variable ice conditions and that’s very risky,” he said.
Johnson said that the silver lining is when the season is shorter the demand is higher because active anglers know they have a smaller window.
“If we don’t get the ice, we lose a huge portion of our business. There’s more demand for ice fishing, believe it or not. People are just crazy for it, I think because it’s so easy and accessible,” he said.
Johnson said he and other local ice hut rental business are keeping their eyes on the long-term forecast.
“It’s not looking good for any ice anytime soon. We’re hopeful we can still get out by Feb. 1 and get a six-week season. It’s better than nothing,” he said.
Johnson has words of advice for aspiring anglers who just can’t wait to get out on the ice.
“If you’re not sure, just don’t go. If you’re the only person going out, that’s a major sign to not go as well. You don’t want to be the first or the last person out there,” he said.
Johnson also advises anglers to check in with local operators as they measure the ice daily and will able to give information on current conditions.
In terms of staying safe this year, he advises anglers use a buddy system and invest in ice picks in the event you fall through the ice, and spud bars, which are used to check ice conditions as anglers venture out before setting up camp.
And if the ice never comes, there is one option still on the table.
“If we don’t get the ice, the other option is to get the boat out again,” Johnson said with a laugh.
