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 Ice fishing has been a popular Canadian pastime in the winter for many years. (CP PHOTO/Blair Gable) |
Dropping a line in a lake at a favourite fishing spot isn't just a summertime pleasure.
For hearty competitors, the 14th annual Canadian ice fishing championships take place on Lake Simcoe's south shore -- one of the province's best winter angling spots -- on the weekend of Feb. 23-24.
The dates coincide with Ontario's Family Fishing Weekend, with events across the province for brave souls facing the winter elements.
During the family weekends only (also from July 4-6), residents of Canada don't need to have a licence to fish in Ontario.
One of the events is the Georgian Bay Get Outdoors Club Ice Fishing Day on Feb. 24 starting at 10 a.m. at Honey Harbour. Anglers will fish for crappie, perch and pike from Georgian Bay Landing.
On March 9, the Canadian Trap Attack, a one-day perch-fishing tournament, takes place on Lake Simcoe.
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The Canadian ice fishing championships were spawned by the world championship held in Georgina on Lake Simcoe in the early 1990s.
The Canadian event still follows the same Olympic-style format as the world event, but with a "few changes to make it more user-friendly for the average fisherperson," said tournament director Rocky Madsen.
Rules call for two-person teams to fish for six hours, from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m., over the two days of the tourney for thousands of dollars in cash and prizes in the live-release tournament based at Sutton.
Competitors are awarded points for catching targeted species of fish and additional points for catching larger fish.
Prizes are based on a field of 150 teams with $15,000 for the winner, $7,500 for second place, $5,250 for third and down to $750 for the 10th-place team. There are $5,000 in prizes for 11th to 20th place, and even prizes for those whose big catches got away.
Headquarters is the Kinsmen's Hall (1 Fairpark Lane) in Sutton where there will be a "fisherman's dinner" and the rules meeting the night of Feb. 22.
Organizers will select a fishing zone about one kilometre by one kilometre on the lake that has many "very good well-frozen areas and will hold up even if there's warmer weather," Madsen said.
Competitors will need their own transportation to get to and from the zone by snowmobile or ATV. There is also an "ice taxi service" this year for $30 for the two days.
Perch day will be Feb. 23. Anglers able to use one rod only and each team will be judged on the weight of the 15 largest fish of that species caught.
For the "big fish" day, Feb. 24, anglers can use two lines and will concentrate on landing white fish, trout, walleye, bowfin and pike. They will be scored 25 points for catching and 25 points for live release, plus one point per inch of length.
The Canadian Trap Attack perch tourney March 9 from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. has fishing anywhere within a 12.9-square-kilometre zone on Lake Simcoe.
The two-member teams will be scored based on the weight of their 15 largest live perch caught.
The event begins with a "rules night" and dinner March 8 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the Peninsula Resort Motel and Restaurant (202 Holmes Point Rd.) in Pefferlaw, the launch site.
Prizes, based on 150 two-angler teams, are $9,600 for first place, $4,800 for second, $3,360 for third and down to $480 for 10th.
Meanwhile, Orillia's 27th annual Perch Festival takes place from April 19 to May 10 with fishing and numerous family events.
Catching the "bonus" tagged perch is worth $5,000 while the "jackpot" perch pays $2,500 along with more than 60 other tagged fish worth $500 each, all for live release. Fishing takes place in open water on Lake Simcoe and Lake Couchiching with the headquarters at ODAS Park on Fairgrounds Road.
IF YOU GO
Canadian ice fishing championship information: www.cifc.org; 1-888-448-0000. Entry fee for each team is $288.75, which includes taxes.
To learn more about Family Fishing Weekends and events: 705-748-6324; www.familyfishingweekend.com
Canadian Trap Attack perch tourney fee is $210 for each team. Info: www. cifc.org/trapattack/trapattack-3.htm
Orillia Perch Festival: 705-326-4424 www.orillia.com/perchfestival