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Good day folks!!
Just an out of towner coming up north for a snowmobiling and ice fishing trip - the gf and I are coming up for her birthday - cottage already rented right by the access to the lake in Gilford lake - all new by-laws checked - shore acres is the access point the cottage is on that road so I am set in that regard.
I have all the necessary gear, shanty heater etc - constructing a ice sled before the trip - I also have a snowmobile so travel distance from gilford beach can be a fair ways for a good spot.
I'd travel up to 20 mins on the ice to a proper spot, if necessary so keep that in mind!!!
Basically I will be bringing all my regular gear and tricks for pike and perch - jigging raps with minnows, different jigs with minnows, and some jigging spoons.
Just wondering if there's anything in particular I should keep in mind when it comes to tracking down the simcoe perch with NO flasher - I am prepared to move around to find them.
I have scouted a few spots via navionics that look like they would be good places to start - not asking for GPS coordinates, and Im sure I will see some huts out there to give me an idea of where to start.
Just want to make sure we get dinner for the gf's bday and show her a good time
This forum seems pretty active and helpful so im looking forward to any advice! Would like to run into some crappies but...here's to hoping!
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When are you coming up? The bay has not froze yet. I would predict safe ice by the new year.
I have always had most luck in 10-30 ft of water with the best fishing early/end of ice.
Sometimes it is worth it to let the fish to come to you and other times it is worth it to go and find the fish. All depends on how much work you want to put in. I haven't had a day where I've been skunked on Lake Simcoe, at least when it comes to perch...
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Also thanks for the reply will - I figured as much - I see a few spots where the deep funnels into shallow and some humps in those areas - south east-ish of gilford - also some contour lines that might hold some fish.
Are there white fish in that area? I heard they're very elusive and without a flasher very hard to hook they way they bite - tried once last season got 0.
Im happy with perch and pike but anything else as a bonus for me to try for while she fishes for the other 2 would be nice.
Hard to get both of those species in the same area or no?
I added a pic of the area Im going to start in.
And if I wanted lakers or whitefish go North to the 40 plus foot deep water?
Thanks again!!
Anyone coming down to St clair/lake erie for muskies or walleye or both let me know I will point you in the right direction!
This post has been edited by metalbuckle on Dec 21, 2018 - 08:00 pm
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Area you circled is quite broad and large, there are multiple spots scattered within it. However, this area has consistently produced pike and for me any time of the year, especially the ridges just north of it. Never targeted crappie there but based upon the structure and weeds i've marked id imagine it could produce.
As for whitefish and lake trout, the deeper water just north could potentially hold either if you are lucky but I wouldn't count on it. Ive never targeted either species in this area, only big smallmouth, so dont let my words discourage you from trying; however, I think your time would be better spent in deeper water further north from 60-100 feet. West of the islands or at the mouth of the bay produce for many. You can get trout up real shallow in 20 feet of water if you find proper shoals that are surrounded by deep water around the islands.
Also a flasher unit is necessary for targeting the deep water species on this lake.
When it comes to the deep water species don't spend more than 20 minutes on a spot if you aren't marking anything. I find on Simcoe, popping many holes and covering water produces.
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But yeah the area you circled will produce pike and perch. If you can see down your hole, look for milfoil and transition areas between sand. 8-15 fow. If you see really thick weeds under your hole and don't see any action within 10 minutes id suggest moving. Dont be afraid to drill a second hole right above or below your fishing hole for added sight by the way, and if you have fish in the area that just wont bite, stir up some sand on the bottom or shake up the weeds, I can assure to you that will draw interest.
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Hey Drift thanks for the tips!!
The area is definitely pretty broad but I think poking around in there should produce a few good spots - whether I can find them in 2 days is the question but, it's part of the long term game I like going to different areas and learning the small nuances between them.
Your advice seems sound, my plan was to target drop offs with weeds around them or humps etc maybe on the edges of those etc.
And when all else fails just keep punching holes til you feel a tug.
I can MAYBE borrow a buddy's flasher but that's a long shot - and I doubt I will have one by then, but a good night at the poker table can change that
As for the deep water species it's unlikely I will waste much time trying for that - I'd rather focus on the lady having a good time hauling up some perch for dinner and I'd LOVE to see her reaction if she has a big pike smash her line!!!! She's a newb when it comes to ice fishing but she loves the adventure.
Thanks again for the tips!!
I presume regular shiners are the ticket for bait? Im just grabbing mine from the general store in gilford.
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yeah shiners are fine, you can basically tip a jig with any piece of live bait and it will produce. wax worms are optimal in my opinion if you can find them at a local tackle store.
try a dropshot rig where the weight at the bottom is a jighead tipped with a minnow, if the weeds aren't too thick. I like putting a tiny soft plastic tube on the actual hook of the dropshot rig in either chartreuse with blue flake or smoke. its nice to be able to pound the sand while also having a presentation a foot above it.
pretty anecdotal and hardly repeatable, but if i know a pike is in the area ill raise the jighead with the minnow off the bottom and work it, that can convince the pike to bite, but be prepared to lose that jighead to those gator teeth.
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if you don't find them over two days consider yourself the most unlucky man on earth. there are fish all over that circled area and you are bound to run into a school of perch the lakes just infested with them at this point.
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Sorry had to remove the picture unfortunately we dont allow exact locations / maps.
But anyway, the area you are talking about is called "the fingers of cooks bay". You will find huts out there and jumbo perch. The trick is finding the spot in the hotspot. Either move around until you find bigger perch or wait for them to come to you. The jumbos travel along those fingers.
But any random hole in that area or pretty much anywhere in cooks bay you will catch perch all day long, lots of small ones, you can weed them out and get a feed of larger perch. Cooks bay is full of perch....
I am wondering if the fishing pressure will be less on Cooks Bay this winter, as I have heard parking may be an issue. In the good ol days there were hundreds of people out there and miles of parked cars.
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Obviously you are driving up. If you find you get sick of the dink’s on cooks bay. There’s a couple other spots, within a half hour drive, and once there it also meets your 20 minute walk criteria. Virgina beach usually produces a lot bigger perch more constantly. And if your looking to run into some bigger stuff like whitefish,burbot,herring,and better opportunity of lake trout,anddd perch all in the same area I would go to Beaverton that time of year. The walk is further in Beaverton but it won’t be for nothing. And you can usually flag some one down or talk to the hut operators and get a ride in and out for 20$ if you have your own huts and stuff. Don’t be scared to move around 20-30 mins in a spot and if it’s not producing what you want, move.
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I have a snowmobile with me so I won't be walking - I was referring to a 20 mins travel via snowmobile once on the ice would within reason.
But thank you for the advice - I think for the gf just catching a bunch will be fun and fingers crossed we get a pike or something and some jumbos in the mix.
We won't have as much time on the second day probably.
Even if we get enough for dinner etc and have fun I will be happy - but I might have to move around to find the jumbos by the sounds of things.
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First time simcoe trip - Cook's bay, Tips - techniques - help!
