FAQ - Ice Fishing 2026

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.

Office Hours:
Our season is not yet open. Once operational, our hours will be:
Thursday – Sunday, 6:00 am to 4:00 pm.
Closed Monday to Wednesday

Launch Ramp:
Temporarily closed for the season.

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

– Maximum of 6 people per hut, including children.
– Guests over 12 years old: $60 per person on weekdays, $70 per person on weekends.
– Children ages 6-12: $25 per person.
– Children 6 years and under: Free.

For hut rental, the minimum charge is $180 plus tax.

A scoop of minnows is $12. 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.

Your reservation allows you to enjoy your hut from 7 AM to 4 PM. You can come anytime after 7 am, but the rental will end at 4 pm.

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/ 

What’s included:

• Rods available upon request
• Parking for one vehicle is included in your booking. Extra vehicle is $15 and trailers are $25.
• Two-way transportation to and from your hut.
• Pre-drilled fishing holes.
• Portable toilet close to the hut.
• Friendly service and support staff
• Overnight Parking (From 6 pm to 5 am) – Extra $10

*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. Please note, the last shuttle is at 4:00 pm.

For safety reasons, cooking inside the hut is not permitted. However, we offer a menu with food and beverages available for purchase during your visit with complimentary ice delivery.

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.

NO ICE IS SAFE ICE
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.

Cooks BaY is well known for Yellow Perch and Northern Pike, both of which are commonly found in the area throughout the fishing season.

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

Our shuttle service operates from 7:00 AM to 4:00 PM, with 4:00 pm being the final return to shore. Shuttle service is available exclusively for hut renters.
If you arrive after 6:00 AM, please call ahead to arrange a pickup time to be taken out to your hut.

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.
Rods $10 
Minnows $12/scoop

We suggest rescheduling booked reservations to avoid loosing paid deposits.