Ice fishermen come to Lake Simcoe because of its particularly large populations of Walleye, Northern Pike, and Yellow Perch, but it is also possible to catch Lake Whitefish, Lake Trout, Largemouth Bass, and Smallmouth Bass in this lake. Some reports say that the lake is so full of Yellow Perch that there is never more than ten minutes between bites. If you are trying to catch Yellow Perch on Lake Simcoe, it is recommended that you often change the bait you are using. This is because Yellow Perch are thought to be attracted to a variety of different foods, and if the fish are not in the “mood” for the bait you are using, they may be more interested in a different kind of bait.  For this reason it is good practice to bring your entire arsenal of ice fishing gear with you.

There are a number of businesses in the Lake Simcoe area that offer ice fishing services. There are places for you to rent or buy gear, such as your ice fishing rod or ice fishing house, and there also fishing guides that can go out onto the ice with you to offer their advice on where to fish and tips on how to catch the specific types of fish you are targeting. There are some resorts and hotels around Lake Simcoe that offer a place to spend the night on land if you don’t want to sleep on the ice, and the town of Georgina is home to restaurants and bars.

Ice fishing conditions are different for different areas on the surface of Lake Simcoe. The southeastern side of the lake is thought to have the best conditions with open ice roads and thick ice layers, while the center is known to be the worst, with some cracks in the ice and lots of slush. Most of the ice fishing on Lake Simcoe is done between Georgina Island, located close to the southeastern shore, and Duclos Point, a peninsula that juts out from the shore on the southeastern side towards Georgina Island.

Although it is a great place for ice fishing, Lake Simcoe is not without ecological problems. In recent years, the lake has undergone significant eutrophication, or the unnatural buildup of chemical nutrients, as a result of excessive pollution. This has had an adverse affect on fish and other wildlife populations in the area, and has also lead to unnaturally large algae blooms and aquatic weed growth. This excessive plant growth has also been facilitated by human phosphorous emissions, and upsets the natural balance of the lake’s ecosystem. It decreases oxygen levels, which limits the fish population growth because there is not enough oxygen dissolved in the water, and raises water temperatures.  Yes, Lake Simcoe ice fishing can be tough at times, but it can be a great experience when everything works the way it should.

The greatest attraction of Mille Lacs Lake is the wide variety of fish species that thrive in its waters, including walleye, northern pike, muskie, jumbo perch, smallmouth bass, and tullibee. The lake is especially known for a very high abundance of walleye, and has even been called the “Walleye Capital of the World.” Between two hundred thousand and four hundred thousand walleye are landed on Mille Lacs every year.

The Mille Lacs Area Tourism Council provides some services to ice fishermen. Roads are plowed across the lake to allow easy access to the best ice fishing locations, and ice fishing houses can be rented in half day increments. These ice fishing houses range from the most basic shelter to multi-room suites with luxurious furnishings, such as gas heaters, cook stoves, furniture, sleeping quarters, and toilet facilities. A number of ice fishing packages are also available from the Mille Lacs Area Tourism Council. The packages can include a variety of services, including overnight lodging on land, transportation to and from the ice fishing site, and ice fishing equipment.

Besides the Mille Lacs Area Tourism Council, there are many businesses around Mille Lacs Lake that offer ice fishing services. There are dozens of places to rent any kind of ice fishing gear, from ice fishing rods to shanties. There are also guides in the area who will help you find the best places on the lake for the kind of fish you are trying to catch. These are experienced fishermen who know the area and can provide some excellent tips for beginning anglers. For post-fishing relaxation, there are also a number of restaurants, bars, and resorts along the lake’s shore.

The water in Mille Lacs Lake is relatively clean, with minimal levels harmful pollutants, so for the general population it is considered safe to eat any amount of any species of fish from the lake. Unfortunately, many inland bodies of fresh water in North America are polluted to some extent, so even the fish in the relatively clean ones such as Mille Lacs Lake are not safe to eat under certain circumstances. Pregnant women should not eat more than one meal per week of certain fish species from taken while Mille Lacs ice fishing, including Burbot, Carp, Northern Pike, Smallmouth Bass, Sunfish, Walleye, and Yellow Perch.

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