Ice fishing pike cooks bay where, when, what, I want to go ice fishing for pike

Hi this winter I want to go ice fishing for pike on cooks bay and I just need to know lures or live bait what time of day and on what spot of cooks bay and is there a better week to fish than others? and if I should use lures I’m wondering what types and I have accès to creek chubs as live bait if it’ll work and where should I hook the chub? I’m just wondering cause I’ve been very unlucky the past few years with pike. Thanks

I have been fishing one particular spot for big pike 40 years. Have only been skunked there twice...and all I use is big minnows. A few friends fish this spot as well catch and release only. We have all tried lures etc. etc. But all agree big minnows are the best. Big pike love big minnows. Just remember to let the pike eat the minnow before you set that hook. Fish are lazy in cold water be patient.

Big Simcoe Pike are tough to consistently catch in the winter. Your better off trying another body of water for pike through the ice.

This is my set up. Bell weight on the swivel...leader and big hook with 5 to 8 inch minnow. Bigger the better...hook goes in the hard front of dorsal fin so the minnow swims as normal. Any time of day with morning and evening being prime time as always. Also if you are fishing 10 to 30 feet of water the pike should be resting on the bottom. ROFF has a good point as well. If you like big pike try Balsam Lake, and find the 20 foot mark around the middle areas. Good luck and stay safe on the ice.

I cannot give you the exact spots but can share some pointers based on my experience
1) since two lines are allowed on Simcoe I suggest 1 dead stick or tip up with minnow and another one - jigging rod
2) find fast drop offs near weedbeds and set up at the edge , which is usually around 9-12 Fow near deep water
3) Use fluocarbon or thin wire as a leader Pike has very acute eyesight and can spot and reject bulky set up easily as Simcoe water is very clear With 12-16 lb fluro you will fir sure get more bites but be prepared to also loose some fish due to bite offs Let the hooked fish run around and don’t force it in the hole This way you will have much less bite offs
4) pick up your days (if you can ) being windy , overcast , snowy/rainy with falling barometric pressure (those are usually warmer days in winter ) and avoid calm sunny and cold days with high pressure
5) fish finder is a must for both setting up the minnow on set line and jigging as you have to know what depth your minnow at and be able to watch how the fish react to your jigging presentation
6) call fish in with noisy and flashy lures ( vibs, Williams spoon etc) but as soon the fish is around change the lures with quieter and more subtle presentation like number 7-9 jigging rap , vibrato etc
7) when the fish is starring at your lure use constant but subtle jigging motion like you would fish a tungsten micro jig for perch and try to slowly lift up the lure while jigging imitating a slowly fleeing bait

I hook minnow behind dorsal fin using either small treble or thin wire single hook, size 2-4 depending on the minnow size.

There is plenty of smaller and medium size in Simcoe

Good luck !

Nice set up and tips CM!
Good to hear from you! Have you been out on the ice yet?

Nice set up and tips CM!
Good to hear from you! Have you been out on the ice yet?

Nope, no fishing for me yet on the ice. Just busy at work, not being there much since June has kept me very busy now that I am back. Enjoying the stories on the forums and looking forward to APRIL ICE OUT CRAPPIE. Maybe get out on the ice end of February. If anyone needs any advice on Sturgeon or Balsam ice fishing they can PM me. But only for pike and crappie in general questions, no exact locations. Those locations will remain in my head for two more years until I am taking people out in my new business. Part time retired...Part time guide...Full time fishing. I will probably see less of the family than I do now. LOL just kidding, family first.

Nice set up and tips CM!
Good to hear from you! Have you been out on the ice yet?

Nope, no fishing for me yet on the ice. Just busy at work, not being there much since June has kept me very busy now that I am back. Enjoying the stories on the forums and looking forward to APRIL ICE OUT CRAPPIE. Maybe get out on the ice end of February. If anyone needs any advice on Sturgeon or Balsam ice fishing they can PM me. But only for pike and crappie in general questions, no exact locations. Those locations will remain in my head for two more years until I am taking people out in my new business. Part time retired...Part time guide...Full time fishing. I will probably see less of the family than I do now. LOL just kidding, family first.

Great!