FEBRUARY ICE: Naughty and Nice.

What a huge range of conditions in the month of February, on both Lake Simcoe ice and on inland lakes dotted within central Ontario. Deep snow and later, really bad slush, worked our machines hard. Mobility suffered a bit some days, but the fish bit! 

As I write this, ice conditions on Lake Simcoe have changed again. We've had a major warm-up the past ten days or so. The deep snow and drifts are gone. What's left, is a soft top layer of basically snow-free ice and patch slush that ranges from walkable and crusty to shin-deep slop. Two things have impacted local ice during the recent warm up:

1. Bright, sunny days beating down on large patches of black ice.
​2. Warm nights, where we've stayed several degrees above the freezing mark.

If you haven't been out on the ice in the past 2-3 weeks, be prepared for different thicknesses, now. If I can assist you with localized ice input, both on Lake Simcoe or up through the Muskoka Region, you can call me: 705-717-3159. Now is not the time to be going out there blind. 

Fishing on Georgian Bay and inland lakes within about 90 minutes of Barrie has presented the same kinds of conditions. I check daily, verify and make sure it's safe. Walleye, pike and crappie are all available, and in a setting that's vastly different from Lake Simcoe, in terms of quiet, nature and solitude. Clean, budget lodging and plenty of room to fish and roam. You'd love it. 

She's not all doom and gloom though, friends! Colder weather rolls back in late this week. I'd sure love to see us finish strong on firm, dry ice surfaces. Here's a look back at a busy month at Bushey Angle Guided Fishing...

Patty with a real nice fish that ate right before Round II of a brutal, all-day blizzard. The sleds worked hard, that day. 

Craig from IL has toured FIVE separate engagements in Iraq and Afganistan. If you're a former or current member of the military, law enforcement, fire or a first responder, you get an automatic discount when you book with Bushey Angle Guided Fishing. It's the least I can do, in appreciation of your service. Craig filled a pail that day, we fished out of Casey's Port Bolster Inn. Deep freeze and big winds that day. Caught most of our bigger perch deadsticking Shrimpos and live shiners.  

Carson keeps the highways safe in SW Ontario, as a member of the police department. Last day of sweet ice for travel before the deep snow and slush set in. He bagged these two in shallow water, on Meegs Jigs.  

A day-trip north of Barrie kicked out a bunch of these for Sammy. Williams Ice Jig with a minnow head is about as close as I can get to the perfect walleye spoon. Discounted rates for groups that include kids, too. 

Never, ever rule out baits that look and act like gobies, for fishing Lake Simcoe----in any season or for any species. 

Jesse from Creemore, ON with a dandy taken during The Slush Bowl. Any time you're getting whitefish hanging around baits that are up high, five to ten feet off bottom, there's a good chance they'll eat. 

Speaking of fish that eat way up off bottom, here's a whale Davey took on a Bass Magnet tube way up high. Little Recon and Recuit Frabill shelters are feather light and absolutely ideal for use in sloppy conditions. Leave the big, heavy shelters at home when the ice is wet and soft!

Hey, I like setting the hook, too! 

There's time and ice left, are you coming?

​JP