Skip to Content

Ice Fishing on Lake Simcoe (Everything You Need to Know)

Ice Fishing on Lake Simcoe (Everything You Need to Know)

Without a doubt, Lake Simcoe is one of Canada’s very best ice fishing destinations. The lake offers fantastic opportunities and is home to plenty of exciting fish species. I wanted to learn more about Canada’s “ice fishing capital” and asked one of Simcoe’s top fishing guides for his best tips and advice. 

Located 40 miles north of Toronto, Lake Simcoe can offer you a genuinely unique ice fishing experience. Besides being home to some of Canada’s largest yellow perch, it holds plenty of crappie, pike, lake trout, and whitefish. 

This in-depth article contains everything you need to know about ice fishing on Lake Simcoe, including:

  • locations
  • species
  • fishing methods
  • ice fishing season
  • best guides, rentals, and bait shops
  • fishing regulations and licenses

So if you want to find out more about this incredible lake and how to fish it, make sure to keep reading! 

PRO TIP: Need to gear up for your next ice fishing adventure? Then check out this essential equipment on Amazon. It’s cost-effective, durable, and gets the job done every time!

Where Can You Ice Fish on Lake Simcoe?

While you can catch fish practically anywhere on Lake Simcoe, certain areas produce more bites than others and are considered hotspots. 

As this is an enormous water body with a considerable average depth of 40 to 50 feet, a maximum depth of 135 feet, a maximum length of 19 miles, and a maximum width of 16 miles, targeting these more frequented areas can be a smart idea, especially if you’ve never fished Simcoe.

The shallower hotspots of Lake Simcoe, down to an approximate depth of 30 feet, include Cook’s Bay, its southernmost bay, and Virginia Beach and Georgina Island in the southeastern parts of the lake. 

Kempenfelt Bay, the lake’s westernmost bay that leads into the city of Barrie, and the vast and open main lake areas outside of Oro Beach, Parkside Beach, and Palm Beach along the northwestern shore are the deepwater hot spots of Lake Simcoe. 

Here, you can fish depths that range between 30 and 130 feet. 

Let’s move on to finding out what species you can catch in these hotspots, how to fish for them, and where to find them

What Fish Can You Catch Ice Fishing on Lake Simcoe?

Lake Simcoe is a vast lake and ecosystem that is home to more than 40 species of fish.
As I can’t include all of them in this article, I’ve settled on the lake’s six most popular target fish.

PRO TIP: In 2004, the invasive fish species round goby entered the lake system and populated the entire water body. It has since become an alternative food source for many of the lake’s predators, which explains why they grow to incredible sizes here!

Perch

a jumbo perch caught through the ice on Lake Simcoe
One of Lake Simcoe’s jumbo perch

If you think of Lake Simcoe, you will have to use the word jumbo! The lake holds one of the country’s largest yellow perch populations, and the fish in here can grow to an enormous size! 

While their average size is about 1lb and 8-10 inches, the biggest of them can reach a weight of more than 2.5lb and a length of 16 inches or more. So, jumbo perch is not an understatement! 

How to catch them

You can find Simcoe’s perch all over the lake. Some hotspots include Cook’s Bay near Keswick or Gilford, as well as Virginia Beach. 

They are most commonly caught in depths of less than 30 feet. They love both live minnows, McGathy’s Slab Grabber jigs, Rapala Jing’n Raps, and Lindy Perch Talker jigs. 

Crappie

a bunch of crappie in a cooler container filled with ice
Plenty of crappie

Crappie are incredibly abundant in Lake Simcoe, and with a bit of luck, you can catch plenty of them during one of their feeding frenzies. 

They commonly have a length of about 6 to 10 inches and weigh between 0.5 and 1lb. Thanks to the lake’s outstanding water quality, the fish here have an excellent taste.

How to catch them

Ice fishing for crappie on Lake Simcoe is best done during the first and last ice. 

You can find them over shallow weed flats, and they are best caught in low-light conditions and at night. Both crappie tubes and smaller live minnows have yielded great results through the ice.

A real hotspot for Simcoe crappie is Cook’s Bay near Keswick. 

Northern Pike

a bunch of yellow perch and a big northern pike lying on the frozen lake surface
Plenty of perch and the occasional fat Simcoe northern pike

The lake’s northern pike can grow pretty big and are often very hungry. They tend to roam the same areas as the perch do, and so, if you’re jigging for perch, it’s not uncommon that a pike enters the scene and goes for your jig. Whenever that happens, you’re in for a real fight, as Simcoe pike are known for their incredible strength. 

Most pike here have an average size of 5 to 10lb, but fish of more than 15lb and 30 inches have been reported!  

How to catch them

If you want to target them, all you have to do is find the perch schools. Find them, and you’ll find the bigger predators! 

You can catch a lot of pike on tip-ups baited with dead baits such as sardines or herring. Present them on a conventional quick-strike rig, and you’re good to go!

Lake Trout

an angler ice fishing on lake simcoe holding a giant lake trout
A gigantic Lake Simcoe lake trout

While not as popular, ice fishing for lake trout on Lake Simcoe can be gratifying, as the fish are plenty and well-grown. You can catch real monsters if you have the skills and patience, as Simcoe Lake is known for its trophy lakers!

While their average size is between 5 and 7lb, fish of 10 to 15lb aren’t that unusual, and a few giants of more than 20lb have been reported here! 

How to catch them

You will have to fish deeper waters of 30 to 100 feet to find Simcoe’s lake trout. Some of the best areas to catch them in include Kempenfelt Bay and the main lake area between Parkside/Palm Beach and Georgina Island, which hold the deepest parts of the lake. 

As the lake trout gorge on round goby, using lures and baits that imitate them is best to catch lakers on Lake Simcoe. 

The Meegs jig and the Sebile Vibrato metal jig work exceptionally well on Lake Simcoe, as they closely resemble the round goby.

RELATED ARTICLE: What Is the Best Ice Fishing Line for Lake Trout?

Whitefish

an angler on lake simcoe holding a big whitefish that he has caught ice fishing
One of Simcoe’s big and tasty whitefish

The whitefish is another popular ice fishing species that is pretty abundant in the lake.

It both tastes delicious and can reach a pretty decent size, which is why many anglers fish for them through the ice. 

The average size of Simcoe whitefish is an incredible 3 to 6lb, which is enormous compared to other waters! It’s neither uncommon to catch fish of more than 10lb. 

How to catch them

Whitefish prefer the deeper areas of the lake and can be found in the lake trout hotspots. 

It’s best to target them very close to the bottom using smaller jigs like the Neo Hair Jig or the Badd Boyz Jig, which both catch a ton of whitefish every season! 

Burbot

Burbot is perhaps the least fished for species on Lake Simcoe, but one that real hardcore ice anglers like to target here, as it’s yet another of Simcoe’s species that can reach enormous sizes! 

Back in 2017, an angler caught the biggest burbot ever recorded in Ontario on Lake Simcoe! That fish weighed an incredible 17lb 9oz. 

But, given the abundance of food, I’m pretty sure that there are even bigger ones out there!

How to catch them

Much like lake trout and whitefish, you’ll find burbot in the deepest areas of the lake. Stick to the bottom and fish late afternoons, evenings, and nights, as this fish is active during the dark hours of the day. 

Target them with smaller minnow-tipped spoons or glow-in-the-dark jigheads. Those are deadly for nighttime burbot especially! 

When Is the Best Time to Go Ice Fishing on Lake Simcoe?

Generally, the ice fishing season on Lake Simcoe stretches from early December to late March or early April, which is the best time to catch perch, pike, lake trout, and whitefish.

Crappie and burbot are best caught during the first and last ice, meaning during the first half of December and the last half of March.

PRO TIP: It is recommended to head out with a guide if you are new to ice fishing and/or the lake. No matter how cold it is, first and last ice especially can be very treacherous. The first rule of ice fishing is always to stay safe!

Where Is Lake Simcoe Located?

Lake Simcoe measures an enormous 744 km2 and is located in southern Ontario, just southeast of Lake Huron’s Georgian Bay, roughly 40 miles (65 km) north of Toronto. 

Northward, near the town of Orillia, it drains to Lake Couchiching, and both lakes drain northwesterly via the Severn River to Georgian Bay. 

How do You Get from Toronto to Lake Simcoe?

Kempenfelt Bay

From Toronto, take Highway 400 and travel northbound to Barrie to reach Kempenfelt Bay. Drive through Barrie and continue on Highway 11 to get to the main lake area near Oro Beach, Parkside Beach, and Palm Beach.

Cook’s Bay

Take Highway 404 northbound toward Beverley Isles or continue on Route 8 toward Balfour Beach to get to Cook’s Bay.

Virginia Beach and Georgina Island

To get to Virginia Beach and Georgina Island, take Highway 48 northbound toward Baldwin and Mosington Park and then follow the highway to the right until you reach Virginia Beach.

RELATED ARTICLE: How Do You Best Heat an Ice Shack?

Best Ice Fishing Guide on Lake Simcoe

a lake simcoe ice fishing guide on the ice holding two nice yellow perch
Shawn with a bunch of Lake Simcoe perch

Lake Simcoe’s number one ice fishing guide is called Shawn Cheng. His guide business is called Fish On Ice Fishing Guides, and together with his other guides, they’ll give you the best possible service and fishing experience!

Their Google Maps Rating has a clean 5.0-star review, and with Shawn’s and his crew, you can be sure to have a fantastic time on Simcoe’s frozen surface.

I’ve talked to Shawn personally, and he was kind enough to provide me with incredibly detailed information about the lake and its incredible ice fishing opportunities. 

Very quickly, it became more than evident that Shawn knew exactly what he was talking about. He knows the lake like the palm of his hand, and the numerous fish that the Fish On Ice Fishing crew and their clients catch every season are perfect proof of that!  

Here is what Sean and his fishing charter have to offer:

Target Species:

  • Yellow Perch
  • Crappie
  • Northern Pike
  • Lake Trout
  • Whitefish

Gear:

  • Large, movable pop-up shelters
  • Mr. Buddy heaters for the ultimate comfort on ice
  • All the fishing equipment you need to catch fish

Food:

an image of two fired yellow perch fillets with french fries and
Freshly caught, delicious fried perch with fries

Shawn and his guides will cook an outstanding meal during your trip, preparing your freshly caught catch directly on the ice for you! 

Underwater Cameras:

Watch the fish go for your lure in real-time with an Aqua-Vu Underwater Camera. This is an extremely cool feature that makes your fishing trip even more exciting! 

Rates:

2 persons$240/person
3 persons$210/person
4-5 persons$180/person
6+ personsPlease contact Shawn for more details
Youths age 15-19$110/person
Children age 14 and under$85/person

Contact: 

Call / Text : +1 (647) 818-1359

Email : [email protected]

Visit Fish On Ice Fishing’s website for more detailed information about services, rates, and bookings. 

Best Ice Hut Rentals on Lake Simcoe

Ice Fishing Outfitters

  • Full-day huts
  • Clean, comfortable, and well-maintained
  • Transportation to ands from huts in their heated bombadier

Address :

15 Hadden Rd., Sutton, ON L0E 1R0 (Near Virginia Beach and Georgina Island)

Contact:

Phone: 905-715-9718

Terry Goy Fish Hut Rentals

  • Full-days on both weekdays and weekends
  • Heated, comfortable 4 and 6-man huts
  • Live bait and transportation in and out included

Address:

277 Beach Road Gilford, ON.  LOL 1R0 (Near Cook’s Bay)

Contact:

Email: [email protected]

Bear Point Fish Hut Rentals

  • Full-day and overnight huts
  • Fully heated and insulated
  • Live bait included

Address:

3999 Guest Rd, Innisfil, ON, L9S 2T3 (Near Kempenfelt Bay and the main lake area)

Contact:

Phone: (705)790-1544

Email: [email protected]

Best Bait Shops Around Lake Simcoe

Cabela’s Barrie

  • Sells both live bait and tackle

Address:

Park Place Centre, 50 Concert Way, Barrie, Ontario (Near Kempenfelt Bay and the main lake area)

Store Hours:

Mon-Fri: 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.

Sat: 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.

Sun: 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Contact:

Phone: 705-735-8900

Lake Simcoe Marine Limited

  • Sells both live bait and tackle

Address:

977 Isabella Street, PO Box 55, Bell Ewart, Ontario, L0L 1C0 (Near Cook’s Bay)

Store Hours:

Mon-Fri: 8 a.m. to 5 p.m
Sat-Sun: 7 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Contact:

Email: [email protected]

Phone: 705-456-3131

Dave’s Fish Huts Rentals

  • Live bait and tackle shop on site

Address:

7792 Black River Road, Georgina, Ontario L0E (Near Virginia Beach and Georgina Island)

Store Hours:

Please contact Dave directly

Contact:

Email: [email protected]

Phone: (905) 722-3372

RELATED ARTICLE: Ice Fishing on Lake Nipissing (A Helpful Guide)

Gear Tips for Ice Fishing on Lake Simcoe

two ice anglers preparing their pop-up shelters and ice fishing equipment on lake simcoe
Essential ice fishing gear

If you don’t need or want to hire a fishing guide or want to bring your own equipment, here are some essential gear and tackle tips that can help you catch fish through the ice on Lake Simcoe.

Lake Simcoe Fishing Regulations

Lake Simcoe belongs to Ontario’s fishing zone 16. 

Please visit Ontario’s Fisheries Management Zone 16 section for detailed information about:

  • General fishing regulations for zone 16
  • Zone-wide seasons and limits
  • Species exceptions
  • Waterbody exceptions
  • Fish sanctuaries

Please note that the bag limits and/or special regulations may be revised at any time and without notice! ALWAYS check the Ontario Fisheries Management website for updates and changes before a fishing trip!

Where Can You Buy a Fishing License for Lake Simcoe?

Fishing licenses can be bought via local tackle shops, fishing charters, or online at huntandfishontario.com. Here, you can also read up on additional license types, such as conservation fishing licenses.

License Fees

License TypeOntario ResidentCanadian ResidentNon-Resident
1-Day $12.21$14.71$23.86
8-Day$52.38
1-Year*$26.57$53.81$80.19
3-Year* $79.71 $161.43$240.57

*Please note that you will also have to purchase an Outdoors Card ($8.57) in combination with a 1 or 3-year fishing license.


Disclaimer: Strike&Catch assumes no responsibility or liability for any errors or omissions of the presented information for Lake Simcoe. The information contained in this article is provided on an “as is” basis with no guarantees of completeness, accuracy, usefulness, or timeliness.


How Thick Is the Ice on Lake Simcoe?

To get the latest updates on ice thickness and condition, you can check out Fishing Lake Simcoe’s Ice Watch Reports or visit the Lake Simcoe Region Ice Conditions Facebook Page.  

If there aren’t any recent updates to be found online, please make sure always to contact one of the local guides, hut rentals, or tackle shops to get the latest information on ice conditions and safety! 

PRO TIP: If ice and/or weather conditions are bad, don’t head out! One fishing trip is not worth risking your life!

Best Lake Simcoe Ice Fishing Forums

There are a few really big and active Lake Simcoe ice fishing forums and communities on the internet!

The following forums have thousands of members who share valuable tips, locations, and their latest catches from the lake:

Make sure to check them out and join them if you’re planning on fishing Lake Simcoe. Fishing communities are valuable assets and networks that, more often than not, lead to new acquaintances and friendships! 

More Useful Ice Fishing Articles

Lake trout image courtesy of Andre Charron, all other images courtesy of Shawn Cheng