Police warn ice fishers of spotty conditions

York Regional Police’s Marine Unit is warning people it’s a risky time to be out on the lake.

Some people got an early start on the weekend by hitting the ice on Lake Simcoe for some fishing.

People heading out are being warned by the Marine Unit in York Region to be aware it’s a risky time to be out in many spots on the lake.

Const. Michael Morphet of the York Regional Police (YRP) Marine Unit said, “As police officers, we would never tell anyone the ice is safe. Everyone has to check for themselves.”

In a video taken by the YRP Marine Unit from its helicopter earlier this week over top Roches Point in Georgina on the east side of Lake Simoce, it shows a mixture of ice and open water. Police and ice hut operators say this kind of inconsistency is normal this time of year. Police are warning people about the short term weather forecast too.

“As we all know the weather is getting warmer the next couple of days. Really, no ice is consistent,” said Morphet.

There are hundreds of ice huts out in Cooks Bay near Gilford, an area that often gets ice before other parts of the lake because of its protection from the wind and its shallow waters. Ice hut operators are reporting up to eight inches in some spots.

Luke Ledlie of Fish Simcoe Hardwater Outfitters said, “We are fortunate to be in the shelter of Cooks Bay and have this thick layer of ice but there’s all sorts of places on the ice. I’ve got reports of four inches in other places and with this warm spell coming, there’s going to be lots of places that will be unsafe.”

Donny Crowder from Hot Box Ice Huts said, “You’ve got to be really really careful, guys. This is not the time to go adventure. It’s not the time to go play out there. Stick to known paths, known trails and of course, have all of your safety gear on you at all times.”

Many people by the lake say they are aware of the warning and came prepared, not just for their safety but the big catch too.

Anyone planning to head out anywhere on any body of water in the area this season is being reminded to check and double check before going out. As the experts say, the ice conditions on a big lake like Simcoe is always different from one location to another, so take the proper safety precautions.