Lake Simcoe ice conditions...

[BMW20]

4 of us are coming up this Friday (22nd) and staying at the peninsula resort where the pefferlaw river dumps into Simcoe. Hoping someone knows how the ice is in/around the area from the pefferlaw river out and around duclos point to Georgina Island and out towards Thorah Island? We are planning on bringing ATV'S for the trip but I see there has been some above freezing temps during the day with some rain today. I know it it still going below freezing at night and shouldn't lose much (if any) ice - I was just hoping someone has been to the area and knows if there is anything we need to be concerned with?

Thanks in advance - It's a 6 hour drive from Michigan and I can push the trip back a week if the ice conditions aren't conducive to ATV's. My Dad and his friend are coming and they don't get around too well on foot.

[johnnyb]

Well I've been fishing the opposite side of the lake...where it's much deeper, and the ice looks like it will hold up for the week.  Everything I've heard from that end says you should be okay...ultimately it will be up to the weather.
I'm sure some guys from that end will chime in as well....

[BMW20]

Thanks for the reply johnnyB. I'm sure the ice will be fine for the weekend, I've been ice fishing long enough to know that as long as the nighttime temps dip back down below freezing it will offset daytime temps above freezing. My only concern is whether there are any "iffy" spots in the triangle formed by the pefferlaw river/Georgina Island/Thorah Island that may have taken a small hit with the warmer temps. If the ice was all 10" + in those areas prior to the warmer weather I won't worry too much about it. However, if there were spots that were only 6 or 7" - I would definitely like to know about them ahead of time.

Hopefully someone that has spent time recently in that area can chime in.

good luck and stay safe!

[who me lost?]

there's anywhere from 6 to 18" of ice in that area, been from virginia to north of georgina island over the last few days.  No snow left to speak of,  some of the ice is the brokenup/refrozen stuff and pretty rough.  The operators have a tree line our from Pefferlaw now, so follow the road and it should be a bit smoother. Perch fishing has been good, allover that area, many of 12-13 inches and one 14" on last saturday.  Minnows, gulp maggots all seem to be the ticket.  Stay safe and dry.

[Bill Collector Bob]

What's the latest report?

Heading up for my first trip next Friday!!!

[who me lost?]

What's the latest report?

Heading up for my first trip next Friday!!!

Tonnes, or maybe tons of ice, expect to be drilling through 2 feet at least.

Had a dump of snow late last week, should be tramped down pretty good by the weekend, temperatures above freezing every day this week and Sunday is supposed to be mint. 

Haven't fished the bay for a few weeks, but talking to guys who are into the perch still.

Sled or ATV, either should be good for travelling this weekend.

[chaoticfisherman]

AS stated, lots of ice still. We fished from Willow Beach to about 3 miles north of Thorah and found at least 16 inches any place we drilled. The snow is froze in the morning but soft when coming in. Got stuck once on the way out in slush but it was my own fault, got way to close to a big rental hut with slush around it. Two of us on the bike, plus auger, plus tackle. Oh yeah, we are both fairly big, lol.
Lots of whitefish but the trout evaded us. They won't be so lucky tomorrow...

[perchslayer716]

how much slush and snow is there would it be too hard to drag the hut out by hand

[chaoticfisherman]

In the morning it is solid on top of the snow. As the sun warms things up it gets a little softer. We drove a full size GMC truck out today with no probs, plus there was cars and vans out there. Just have to keep to the trails and watch for deep snow drifts.
Today's catch.

[fishingrip]

melting fast ,just left today

[fishindude644]

  Where did you fish?   See anyone fishing around snake island?

[fishingrip]

fished all around it ,it was getting pretty ugly as of Thursday