Black Bay ice fishing outfitter says ice is still unsafe for fishing
An ice fishing outfitter on Lake Superior's Black Bay says it may be a while before his shacks are out.
Ice on the huge bay is still unsafe, said Corey Hayward, owner of Bear Trak Outfitters, in Dorion, Ont.
Haward said there's only about 5 centimetres of ice on the bay, and much of that is covered with water.
Conditions this December are a lot different from this time last year, he added.
"Last year at this time, business was on," said Hayward. "We had ice on the lake that was well over a foot, probably closer to two feet."
"We had ice on the bay somewhere around November 12th last year. So we are way, way, way behind schedule."
Hayward noted the days are already getting longer, and more rain and warm weather may keep the ice on Black Bay too thin to fish on any time soon.
"Normally we open up January 2nd, because that's when I feel it's safe for the public," said Hayward. "I don't see it happening this year."
He added that he'll be happy to be open for the end of January.
A little more ice north of Thunder Bay
On Lac des Mille Lacs, located about 120 km northwest of Thunder Bay, the news is slightly better.
Ken Wing, owner of Shacks Landing, said Sawmill Bay has about 20 centimetres of ice, but only four shacks have been pulled out so far.
In a normal December, several hundred fishing shacks would already be scattered across the ice in this popular walleye lake. Wing said further out in the lake, towards Sand Point, the ice is still a bit sketchy.
"There was some open water there last week and the wind blew the water up over top of the ice and now there is slush in quite a few places out that way," said Wing.
"There have been a few half-tons out as far as Birch Island, but I wouldn't suggest it yet."
Wing said people are ice fishing on parts of Lac, but mostly by way of snow-machine or on foot.
CBC Thunder Bay's outdoor columnist Gord Ellis spoke with host Lisa Laco about the late ice fishing season. Listen to their conversation:
