By: Ewa Chwojko-Srawley
As soon as Lake Simcoe freezes, a small ‘town’ of colourful tents and ice huts appears along its 240-kilometre shoreline. Every winter, thousands of people flock to these shores to participate in the hugely popular winter activity – ice fishing.
But 2021 is shaping up to be very different. In previous years, the only worry was the weather: when will the lake freeze? When can we get out and drill our fishing hole?
This year new COVID-19 restrictions are having a significant impact on local fish hut operators, eliminating much of their traditional clientele, especially out-of-towners.
“There are new restrictions on the rental of ice huts,” said Jolanta Kowalski, a spokesperson for the Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry (MNRF).
“Ice huts may only be rented to a person if members of the same household will only use the hut, and the hut will not be used overnight.”
The Covid restrictions also apply to private hut owners.
“Ice fishing huts should be treated the same as indoor gatherings and only be used with other members of your household,” Ms. Kowalski said.
“However, if the person owns their own ice hut, they can stay in it overnight.”
“Everything is up in the air,” said Helen Kucharchuk, owner of Pefferlaw Fish Huts and Peninsula Resort, who has been in business for over 50 years.
“I cannot accept reservations until the lockdown is lifted, hopefully on February 22. If it’s extended much longer, the ice fishing season will be over.”
Ms. Kucharchuk, who also provides accommodation for the out-of-towners, is already counting her losses.
All the American fishermen who used to stay at her motel have cancelled.
“Why would they pay for lodgings when the border guards may not even allow them into the country?”
Paul Giles, who owns Paul’s Fish Huts in Pefferlaw, estimates that his business is down at least 75 per cent this season.
“I’m only running six houses right now; I usually run 10 to 12. I just did it because all my good customers, you know, all the families I deal with, I want to keep happy,” he said.
“Everybody’s got to be from the same household. So buddies and people who work together can’t go ice fishing.”
“The season is so short, it’s almost a waste. The bait we put our money out for, we’ll be dumping back in the lake. But at least the lake will get a bit of a break. So the fish population will thrive and hopefully it will be better next year.”
While some hut operators, like Mr. Giles, are holding out, others have decided to pack it in for the season.
Popular among the locals and the visitors is Hank Heynik Fish Huts in Jackson’s Point – but it is not operating this season.
Nor is First Nation Cultural Tours, operated by Jacob Charles from Georgina Island.
“Visitors are not allowed to travel to the island due to COVID-19 restrictions, so I had to close my business,” he said.
The new COVID-19 restrictions have also meant difficulties for the organizers of fishing tournaments, which traditionally support local charities.
The popular Lake Simcoe Championship Ice Fishing Derby, which raised a record $70,000 for Canadian Tire’s Jumpstart charity last year, will not go ahead this season.
It seems this year’s ice fishing season is ‘all up in the air’ – a phrase everyone keeps repeating.
However, among all of the uncertainties, one thing is for sure. As soon as possible, local enthusiasts of this popular Canadian winter sport will be out there, happily isolating themselves on the ice. But this time, it will feel a lot lonelier.
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