Ottawa anglers embrace the cold for ice fishing at Petrie Island

Ice fishers in Ottawa aren’t letting the latest tough stretch of winter weather keep them from their hobby. CTV’s Camille Wilson reports.

Families and friends gathered to cast a line inside of a fishing hole and hope for the best at the Petrie Island Marina on Sunday.

Despite the frigid temperatures and -27 windchill, plenty of fishers were out braving the weather to try their luck on the Ottawa river in Orléans this weekend.

Friends Denis Bergeron and Reg Calerouex were at the Marina and say they ice fish at the spot every year.

Bergeron has been fishing for 45 years, Calerouex for 60.

“I enjoy my winter here. It’s a sport. It’s better here than to watch TV at home. We’re comfortable. We catch some fish. Not all the time,” says Bergeron.

“We catch fish everyday (in the summer). Whether it’s five or six bite but ice fishing, if you get two bite your lucky,” says Calerouex.

Bergeron hopes to pass down the tradition.

“I got a grandson. He’s only three years old. As he grows up, I hope he enjoys fishing same as his grandfather,” he says.

The popular winter sport allows people to get outdoors during the long cold and blue months.

“The ice needs to be thick enough. Right now, it’s 14-inches and we have professionals that come and check it regularly, that it’s safe enough for a car or ATV or snowmobile or even to be on foot,” says Sandi Gagnier, Fisherwoman and member of Petrie Island Marina.

The marina is home to more than 100 ice huts to help those to stay warm and comfortable while ice fishing.

Alec Delorme has been ice fishing for more than a decade.

Delorme and his friends started out renting a hut at the Petrie Island Marina before building and owning his own.

“We built our own hut, six of us, and here we are 11 years later. We love fishing here now. We don’t always catch fish but it’s our little getaway,” says Delorme

Delorme says it’s key to surviving the cold winter days.

An Ontario fishing license is required to go ice fishing.

Huts can be rented, starting at $226 and minnow bait and fishing equipment can be purchased at The Bait Shop on site.

The marina also offers ice fishing packages for the pleasure of enthusiasts.

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