Lagoon City is a beautiful community that is enjoyable all year long and winter is one of the greatest seasons to enjoy ice fishing on Lake Simcoe but to do so safely, you must keep in mind that ice conditions are always changing.  As many anglers venture out, there are many factors to consider when determining whether the ice conditions are safe.  Ice conditions can vary from day-to-day and from one water body to the next.  We are pleased to share some safety tips with you to keep in mind this season.

Avoid moving water.  Ice fishing safety should start and end with the thickness of the ice.  Don’t ever think one part of the lake is exactly the same as the other.

Ask a Local.  Before you pack up your gear and head out to the lake, connect with locals.  Lagoon City is fortunate to have a local ice fishing business right here in our community.   Brechin Point Ice Hut Rentals Inc. is located at 10 Simcoe Rd in Brechin and also has a highly engaged social following where they share daily ice reports.

Watch for snow.  Ice with piles of snow can increase the pressure and decrease the safety on the hard water.  Snow can insulate and warm the ice, slowing the freezing process.  Snow can definitely impact your ice fishing safety.

Listen to your surroundings.  Spread out.  If there are too many people in one area, it can drastically decrease the strength of the ice and make sure you’re within eyesight of a fishing buddy.

Keep Up to Date Online.  We highly recommend you join Lake Simcoe Ice Fishing which is a highly engaged group on facebook that reports ice conditions, tips, tricks, photos and shares recommendations. We also encourage you to follow Lake Simcoe Region Ice Conditions where they share ice conditions and fishing reports from hut operators, local businesses, industry pros and local media from around the Lake Simcoe Region.

Use proper heaters.  In extremely low temperatures, especially on longer expeditions, anglers often bring heaters to keep warm.  Unfortunately, faulter heaters can cause carbon monoxide poisoning and it may be impossible to recognize it so it’s extremely important to always use proper heaters and to ventilate your hut or tent frequently.

Make your plans known.  One major mistake you can make when ice fishing is to venture out on the ice alone without telling anyone where you are going.  If you plunge through the ice, slip and fall or your vehicle breaks down, getting rescued will be extremely difficult if no one knows where you are.  Always make your plans known to family and friends. Although you may have your cell phone with you, there may be times when you may be out of range.

Whether you are ice fishing, playing hockey, ice skating, snowmobiling or simply enjoying a winter walk in our community, dress warm and stay safe!

Don’t forget to tag us at @lagooncitylife on Instagram. We would love to see how you are enjoying the winter and will share your photos in our stories!