subject: What To Know About Fishing Lake Simcoe [print this page] Whether your fishing passion extends to pike, trout, bass, perch or whitefish, a day fishing Lake Simcoe will not go unrewarded. Simcoe can be found in the southern portion of Ontario, Canada and is that province's fourth largest lake. It is nineteen miles long at its longest point and is sixteen miles wide at its widest.
Simcoe is dotted with many islands, including its largest, Georgina. Georgina is home to a First Nations reserve. First Nations is an aboriginal people who are neither Metis nor Inuit. Another noteworthy island is Strawberry Island. Pope John Paul II stayed in this kingly spot for four days in 2002.
Before the Lake Simcoe Region Conservation Authority and other conservation groups stepped in to help, Simcoe suffered greatly from eutrophication. This is an occurrence of excessive nutrients in the water that promote an overgrowth of aquatic weeds and algae. The oxygen levels become depleted in shallow waters where fish normally breed.
The good news is that today, the fishing is thriving. The lake is annually stocked with 150,000 whitefish and 100,000 trout. Much of the funding for these efforts is provided by the "Ladies of the Lake." This group raised awareness of the troubles Simcoe was facing and also raised $250,000 with sales of its calendar of nude pictures.
Anyone interested in bringing in pike would fare best during the middle of spring or in the summer. The fish generally congregate in shallow water in springtime. Cook Bay is a popular spot. In the summer, pike can be found swimming usually in water 15 to 20 feet deep.
If you are an angler looking for another great spot to add to your list of "must sees, " then a visit to Lake Simcoe should be included. Not only is it home to a diverse population of fish, it is also large enough to accommodate many fishers and the gorgeous scenery will add to the experience.
