FAQ - Ice Fishing 2024

The best access is off the end of Highway 89 because the ice is usually very good, and if you are by foot, you can go off the end of Gilford road as it is township access.

Find below our April business hours:

Office Hours:
Open Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 10 am to 2 pm 

Launch Ramp:
Open 7 days a week from 7 am to 7 pm 

You can do everything online!
Visit the Book Now tab on our website for prices, availability and reservations, or click on https://cooksbaymarina.com/book-now/

DAY HUT RATES (no half-day)
Taxes extra

• $60 per guest (min $180 per hut)
• FREE kids 12 and under
  (Fishing rod & one scoop of minnows is included)
• Max of 6 people per hut

All is included if you book a hut; otherwise, we have everything on site. A scoop of minnows is $10. To rent a fishing rod is $ 10 (line, hook, and weight included)*.

*A $50 pre-authorization deposit is charged to your credit card for each fishing rod you get. The value will be waived when the rods are given back in the same conditions at the end of your day.

Cabin style heated huts with a hole cut out for your use.

Check it ou some of the pictures of our Huts and book it now!
https://cooksbaymarina.com/book-now/ 

Fishing rod & one scoop of minnows.
An extra scoop of minnows is $10 and to rent an extra fishing rod is $ 10 (line, hook, and weight included)*.

We will shuttle you back and forth from the hut. Please call to arrange for pickup time.

*A $50 pre-authorization deposit is charged to your credit card for each fishing rod you get. The value will be waived when the rods are given back in the same conditions at the end of your day.

Holes in our huts are pre-drilled and ready for ice fishing!

Approximately 2 km.

A shuttle service is included with the price of booking an ice fishing hut.

You can use the burner in the hut to cook but you must bring your own pots and pans. Also, the hut must be left in a clean condition.

Yes, we do have.
Parking is available. Daily from 6 am to 4 pm or Overnight 4 pm to 6 am.

Booking an ice fishing hut includes one free parking space. Otherwise, $15 for a car and $25 with a trailer. Overnight stay is available for an additional $10 for a car and $20 with a trailer.

6 people max. 

If you’re having any trouble on the ice, please call us: +1 (705)456-6212.

For any URGENT or LIFE-THREATENING EMERGENCIES, immediately call 911

Yes, a fishing license is required. Before fishing, it is your responsibility to attain one as we do not sell or provide it. Please visit Ontario’s fishing website for more info: https://www.ontario.ca/page/ice-fishing.

Being on the ice has its risks, especially when the hole is made for ice fishing. We do everything we can to make sure you have a safe and fun time, but it is your responsibility to avoid dangerous situations and take extra safety precautions. Familiarize, monitor and be conscious of weather conditions and changes: such as visibility when out on the lake.

Extra safety precautions should be considered and used for those who do not know how to swim (children and adults). Also always keep an extra set of warm clothes in case you get wet or it gets colder.

Here are some tips to consider before stepping out onto the ice:

– ALWAYS be aware of ice quality and thickness:

– LOOK and OBEY any signs posted

– AVOID open holes, cracks or anywhere the ice seems thin

– ONLY TRAVEL on the ice during DAYLIGHT hours

– KEEP IN MIND ice thickness may vary on the same body of water.

– GOLDEN RULE for ice thickness is:

UNDER 4″ – STAY OFF
4″ – 7″ – Ice fishing or other activities on foot
8″ – 12″ – Snowmobile or ATV
12″ – 15″ – Allows for more weight

– ALWAYS make sure you’re always accompanied on the ice

– CARRY flotation devices and a cold protection suit

– AVOID drinking alcohol on the ice

Please, visit the Canadian Red Cross website for more information.

To keep tuned about the ice conditions, follow the YouTube channel THE BLUE ICE REPORT

Before planning a visit, access the “Lake Simcoe Region Ice Conditions” Facebook page or call our office to ask about the weather and ice conditions.

Lake Simcoe is particularly known for Yellow Perch all season round. However, other fish such as Crappie, Sunfish and Channel Catfish are also found all season round.

For a more comprehensive list of available fish (per season and regulation), please visit the FISHING LAKE SIMCOE website.

Please call to arrange for a time to be taken out and returned back to shore. 

Yes, there is a portable toilet located on the ice near our huts.

We have a heater but in case of malfunction, call us in case there is a problem.
Weather visibility can change pickup time, make sure we have your phone number to communicate with you.

Cooks Bay Marina is a pet-friendly environment. It is important to be cautious of the risk of bringing a pet around the ice and water, it is your responsibility to do so. We kindly request that you also pick up after your pets.

We try to locate you in the area where fish usually comes, but there are no guarantees. If you’re having trouble catching fish, call us and we’ll try to assist you in different methods.

If the weather is bad on the day of your visit, prior to coming, we can issue you a refund or reschedule your reservation.

Consuming alcohol in an ice hut is illegal under the Liquor Licence Act. Any kind of alcoholic beverage is not allowed either at the marina facilities or on huts (we have the right to inspect your coolers). We also will not provide service to any customer that is impaired or intoxicated.

Our service team is always there to support you but you can ask to talk with our General Manager, Atef Salama, and he will make sure you’re satisfied.

Yes, you can!
We provide parking and minnows all at an extra cost.

Extra minnows $12/scoop

We suggest rescheduling booked reservations to avoid loosing paid deposits.