Well yesterday, we enjoyed another fine day on the hardwater chasing yellow perch on Lake Simcoe … undoubtedly one of the finest perch fisheries in all of North America. Today was remarkably similar to last weekend when my son Izaak and I took home about 15 jumbos for about three hours of fishing. Unlike last time though these perch were a little deeper (33-34') and way more finicky.  In fact, if it wasn't for the addition of a bunch of puny little items we brought this time- that we didn't before … we may have walked off the ice empty handed!

Despite one of the most remarkable winters in many decades here in Ontario, there have been several occasions when fishing has been extremely tough. Beautiful thick ice, cold temperatures, plenty of snow cover and a chance to safely access anywhere you like on your favorite lake. Man, you would think the fish would be practically jumping thru your holes. Ah - but with few exceptions, such has not been the case; at least not for many of us hard water fishin fanatics who are quick to admit, "Dang- fishin has been tough!"

Anglers- whether they're hard water or soft water freaks – love to blame the weather and I can be as guilty as the next guy. 

Perch, Northern Pike, Lake Trout, Whitefish

Lake Simcoe is the most intensively fished inland lake in the province with more people fishing it in the winter than at any other time of the year. Ice fishing usually does not begin until after the New Year. Although species, such as yellow perch, have a year-round open season on Lake Simcoe, weather patterns show that safe ice often does not form until after January 1. Shallower sections of the lake, such as Cook's Bay, usually freeze first. Deeper portions, such as Kempenfelt Bay, can freeze over much later. Likewise, anglers fishing shallow water near shore for species, such as perch or pike, could be safely standing on plenty of ice, yet further out on the whitefish or lake trout grounds, there may be little or no ice.