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With Tears In Their Eyes

There they were standing on shore, tackle in hand, just staring at the ice. Between them and the ice was a gap of open water too deep to wade through. They look up and down the shoreline for a possible bridge to the ice or firm footing but there was nothing in sight. Next they search for their cell phones to call anyone they knew who may have found a point of access. They won’t think twice about loading their equipment back in the car and driving an hour if only to spend one last day on hard water. Unfortunately the reports from around the lake were not good with open water spotted everywhere. The patient was melting and there was nothing they could do about it. For many this truly is the second saddest day of the year next to the closing of bass season.  What makes it even more difficult to hang up the auger this year was the banner year that it was.

An early December cold snap helped produce some of the best ice conditions we have had for years. With the exception of heavy snow in late January creating some deep slush on most lakes, an early February thaw and a deep freeze made traveling conditions perfect for walkers, snow machines, ATV’s and even trucks. Unfortunately too many trucks found pressure cracks and no less than seven vehicles lie on the bottom of Lake Simcoe alone. Seemingly perfect ice conditions always brings out the risk takers and inexperienced ice travelers and a high number of snowmobile accidents causing serious injury and fatalities were reported on numerous lakes. It doesn't’ seem to matter the frequency of warnings or how we stress the importance of safety, there are always those who think they know better.

We had great fishing reports from all of TOTW roaming ice heads. Special thanks goes out to those hard water specialists who kept us up-to-date on what was hot, where the fish were biting and what to use to catch them.

Rob Hyatt – North Bay Bassmasters

Ryan Hare – Barrie Bassmasters

Wil and Izaak Wegman – Aurora Bassmasters

Kurt Hehl – Georgian Bay Bassmasters

Jason Barnucz – Hamilton Bassmasters

The Economy and Ice Fishing:

By the winter of 2009, it was clearly evident that Ontario was not immune to the economic downturn felt throughout the rest of the world. Thousands lost their jobs, many suffered financial stress and it seemed we all simply wanted to save money wherever we could. Spending discretionary earnings on recreational activities became a matter of evaluating the cost of the activity vs the enjoyment it delivers. From all indications the value of ice fishing was high as the winter of 2009 was very busy on our hard waters.

People from all walks of life took to our lakes in droves - perhaps in no small part because they realized that ice fishing can be one of the most inexpensive and enjoyable recreational pursuits to be had. With more folks out of work, we saw more action on the ice during the week … which was followed by weekends when families got together on our hard waters for an economical and fun day of outdoor entertainment. Many adults realized that kids can indeed have fun when they’re away from their computers as they witnessed their children become hooked on ice fishing.

Ice Fishing Lake Simcoe:

Traditionally, Lake Simcoe is always the most popular destination for ice anglers in Ontario because of its close proximity to Toronto and the most densely populated region in the country. Americans living in Border States like Michigan, New York and Pennsylvania also love visiting Simcoe during the winter for our terrific perch fishery. This year was no exception and for most part the lake didn’t disappoint. Perch were prolific throughout all the traditional nearshore areas. Many did report that average size was below their preferred ‘keeper’ range of 8-11 inches but these same anglers also told us that they would simply have to catch and release more perch in order to get a nice meal of those preferred keepers.

The trout and whitefish action was nothing short of phenomenal for many Simcoe anglers. Perhaps the average size of either was not outstanding but the sheer number of fish caught was excellent by any standard. What a tribute to the incredible work the MNR and its partners have done on this lake. For decades this ministry has stocked lakers and whities in order to sustain a fishery that was not capable of sustaining itself. Recently however both MNR and anglers began to see indications that some of the stocked fish were finally beginning to reproduce successfully on their own. 

Once again both wild lake trout and whitefish populations are becoming more prevalent around the lake. On the north shore of Simcoe in particular natural trout in the 2 to 5 pound year class dominated the catch. Not enough can be said about our “men and women in green” and what they have accomplished. This once doomed cold water fishery has regained a heart beat and may be very close to a self sustaining cold water fishery.

Of course some larger stocked trout and whitefish were still caught and it appeared that several trout in the 20 pound plus class were pulled through the ice in 2009 including a 33 pound laker brought into a local tackle shop to be weighed. Anglers can easily tell the difference between a stocked fish and a wild one by checking for fin clips … without a clip; chances are the fish is a natural – or wild specimen not originating from the hatchery.

Many ice anglers were interviewed by MNR Creel Survey Crews who roamed the lake monitoring catch results. Conservation Officers were also out on seemingly the coldest days when the wind was howling and the snow was blowing sideways. They would pull up to the diehard anglers who were also out there braving the elements, and ask for their fishing licence and make sure everything was in order.

Kevin & Lori Horner with Father and Kids on Family Day

Lake Simcoe Cisco:

During the winter of 2009, many Simcoe anglers also reported they were catching more cisco (lake herring) than they have in years. This cold water species with similar habitat requirements as lake trout and whitefish (and therefore also suffering from lack of natural recruitment for many years) has also been showing signs of natural reproduction. In order to protect this native species and give it a chance to rebound, MNR has a year round closed fishery on the lake, so any that are caught by accident need to be released immediately. The problem that became very evident this past winter however was that cisco can closely resemble a young whitefish and many people were having trouble telling the two apart.

Lake Simcoe Fisheries Stakeholder Committee (LSFSC):

For the last couple of years, OBFN youth director (responsible for Casting Kids) and Aurora Bassmasters president Herb Quan has been a member of the LSFSC. The group’s role is to advise MNR district managers on fishery related matters pertaining to the lake and to initiate education and awareness programs that help anglers better understand this complex fishery. “One of the key initiatives we undertook this past winter was to begin a Cisco/Whitefish identification program to help anglers tell the difference between the two species, said Quan. The group sent out a press release about their initiative and printed hundreds of color ID posters that were put in ice huts and tackle shops around the lake. “Wallet sized ID cards were also produced that were handed out by CO’s and creel survey crews so that anglers could easily see how to tell the difference between a whitefish and a cisco”, concluded Quan.

Lake Simcoe Access:

Lack of suitable access to the lake is an ever-increasing issue among anglers. At known access sites during the winter of 2009 on any given day you had to show up early just to find a parking spot. Popular perch areas for example like Gilford would have two or three kilometres worth of vehicles lined up on the main road where no “No Parking Signs” were evident.  Over on the other side of the lake in Keswick anglers complained that they couldn’t find any streets without the dreaded “No Parking Signs” and had to go somewhere else to fish. 

Right around Lake Simcoe it is simply a matter of not enough parking space (lots, side streets without the signs etc) available adjacent to the public right-of ways where anglers access the lake. With the economic benefits directly linked to ice anglers fishing the lake, it makes us wonder why local municipalities are so short sited that they do not see the inherit benefits of creating and maintaining proper access sites for these visitors. Instead they are more apt to stick a parking ticket on your windshield as a thank you to visiting their community.

Kurt Hehl - Georgian Bay Bassmasters

John (Redfish) Whyte - Barrie Bassmasters

Jason Barnucz Hamilton Bassmasters

Ryan (Trout Guy) Rare -

Barrie Bassmasters

Wil Wegman - Aurora Bassmasters

Other Ice Fishing Destinations:

Simcoe wasn’t the only destination that reported great fishing. Reports from Lakes Rousseau, Joe, Lake of Bays, Bay of Quinte and Georgian Bay were all better than average. The Muskoka Bassmasters made headlines when two of their members caught much more than they bargained for when they hauled a Moose through the ice. That story can be read here.

Rob Hyatt a well known guide, member of North Bay Bassmasters, and multi year Team Ontario member reported that Nipissing was not up to its best this year for slot size Walleye, but that can certainly change next year. According to Rob the Walleye fishing suffers from a cyclical year class drought every 5th year. “A walleye reaches about 15 inches in it’s forth year on Nipissing. The cycle has been evident since the early 90’s. If the cycle holds true then next year should be great”, he told us.

The End Marks a New Beginning:

As the ice melts away if you happen to see several guys standing on shore holding buckets, an auger, and some short rods, starring hopelessly out on the ice with tears in their eyes, share a kind word and remind them that there’s just enough time to get some household chores done before they can launch their boats again and begin a whole new fishing season. If the 2009 hard-water season was any indication of what the rest of the year has in store, then we’re in for a great year.

In the next edition of Time on the Water we will list all our toothy critter tournaments and promote your Open events to the rest of the OBFN angling community. We will do our best to keep our readers entertained until THE BEST DAY OF THE YEAR…….Opening of bass season.

Fish ID

Georgian Bay & Area Crappie Report 

by Kurt Hehl

The spring crappy bite is still falling short of it's potential in the Georgian Bay area. Natural creek arms and man made canal's are the mainstay for die-hard crappie angler's in the Severn Sound local. Port Severn and Honey Harbour are the most accessible spots for those whom, may be fishing from the bank, but there are good size and number's to be had at the top end of Little Lake (adjoining lake to Gloucester Pool to the north).

Try the trailer park canal's with a boat and numbers of crappie are sure to follow. Key factors in the crappie coming into the more northerly parts of canals, in the Honey Harbour area, will be some rain and an immediate warm spell. The fish ARE THERE, but the dinner bell hasn't been rung as of yet. It's fairly common to catch 5-20 black crappie in 3-4 hours right now. Most successful angler's are using 1/16 gypsy jigs, slip floats, black bird floats, 1''-2'' micro tubes or micro grubs, 1/16 tube and ball jig heads, and minnows are a good standby. 4-6lb/ test on a light long rod is a MUST.

For us impatient Canuks waiting for the “GRATEST DAY OF THE YEAR”, when bass season opens in Ontario, our friends just south of the 49th parallel are open for business on one of the best smallmouth fisheries on the continent, Lake Erie. All it takes is a New York fishing licence and a stones throw from Toronto takes you to pre-Canadian Open paradise.

Ryan Hare of Creemore Ontario and Paul Castellano from Cast Adventures in Niagara Falls Ontario lucked out to a rare perfect glass-flat day on this extraordinary body of water.  Here’s how it went.

“A Day On Lake Erie In The Spring When Its Calm And The Bass Are Biting … It Just doesn’t Get Any Better Than That For A Couple of Bassmasters From Ontario”:

By: Ryan Hare

We arrived at the launch in Fort Erie that morning to an uncommon sight; Lake Erie as flat as a piece of glass! Its not often the lake isn’t kicking up a bit so I knew the day was going to be a treat! I would be fishing with a friend of mine Paul Castellano from Cast Adventures in Niagara Falls. He had informed me that the action in N.Y State for early season smallies was still going strong and although they had spread out a bit there was still some good action to be had.

We started the morning working out in about 25fow ripping jigging spoons to see if we could find some active fish. After a few smacks on the hard steel baits to let us know the fish were there, we decided to change-up the program and work some soft plastics by long lining tubes. We picked up a few smaller fish right away but unsatisfied with the action we decided to move into around 18 feet and focus more on a drop shot program. This turned out to be the turning point of the morning. We hit a steady pack of fish in the 2.5-3lbs range that provided steady action on the ultra lights. Mixed into the bunch of fish where a couple scrappy 4-4.5 pound fish and a good number of perch all over 12"! We worked small Berkley Gulp! baits on the drop shots with most success coming off the Gulp! minnows.

Later in the afternoon, when we were satisfied that we had caught well over 60 fish, we moved to deeper water looking for a couple of toads to finish off the day. Long lining tubes on Erie is recognized as one of the most productive methods to find, and catch those famed goby-laden obese smallmouth so many anglers crave. The technique works here during the spring season right through to the fall. Today was no exception as it proved once again to be the method of choice for the bigger bass we craved.

Just when we were about to call it a day, I felt my rod load up one last time. I reeled down and drove the hook home. The fish dogged hard to the bottom and felt a little bigger then the last few 3 ½’s we were getting. After a several sweet jumps, I lipped what turned out to be the heaviest fish of the day at 4.14lbs. We didn’t break the 5 pound mark but nevertheless when you just can’t keep count of all the 3-4 pound hard fighting smallies you catch … you really know you’ve spent exceptional “Time On The Water”.

Tight lines

An Erie Tune-up - by Ryan Hare