Town’s off-road vehicle project shifts into permanent program for ice fishing season

File image.

Using off-road vehicles to reach Lake Simcoe for ice fishing will now be allowed on a permanent basis in parts of Georgina, following a decision by town council earlier this year.

The Town of Georgina says a pilot program to allow limited use of off-road vehicles on certain town roads to help residents and visitors access the lake during the winter is now in effect. Council voted in June to make the pilot project permanent after receiving an update on how the program was working.

According to the Town, between Dec. 15 and April 15 each year, off-road vehicles — as defined under Ontario’s Highway Traffic Act and excluding dirt bikes — are permitted on town roadways within the Waterfront Park Buffer Zone. The Town says the change is intended to support safe and legal access to Lake Simcoe during the ice fishing season.

Council also approved a new pilot project that expands where off-road vehicles can be used. Under the new pilot, off-road vehicles, again excluding dirt bikes, are permitted on all town roads within the Ward 5 catchment area year-round.

“Ice fishing has been a long held tradition in the Town of Georgina,” the Town stated. “Many anglers have been using off-road vehicles along the shores of Lake Simcoe to access the ice in the winter months with the risk of receiving a ticket for riding illegally on town roads.”

According to the Town, the original pilot project was in place until April 15, and allowed off-road vehicles on specific town roads under conditions outlined in a municipal bylaw.

The Waterfront Park Buffer Zone includes the entire Lake Simcoe shoreline and town roads in nearby lakeside neighbourhoods, the town says. Private roads, regional roads and provincial highways are excluded from the area.

The Town says the Ward 5 catchment area is bound by Park Road, Old Homestead Road, Weir’s Sideroad, Ravenshoe Road, Lakeridge Road and Highway 48.

The Town of Georgina says outlines the rules surrounding the program on its website.