$25,000 in prizes at Simcoe perch tourney

$25,000 in prizes at perch tourney


Fresh off a successful Canadian Ice Fishing Championship, organizer Rocky Madsen is now setting his sights on a big perch tournament Sunday at Sibbald Point Provincial Park.
There will be a prize purse of $25,000 up for grabs, said Mr. Madsen, a Sutton resident.

The Lake Simcoe Super Trap Attack tourney is expected to attract perch specialists from across and province and the United States. American anglers are big fans of the tasty panfish and come to Lake Simcoe in large numbers throughout the year.

Mr. Madsen said he's had calls of interest from anglers in Michigan, Illinois and New York.

Lake Simcoe is regarded by some as the best perch fishery in the world.

The contest features a bass-tourney style live weigh-in, Mr. Madsen said. The public is welcome to see the weigh-in that starts just after 2 p.m.

Anglers take off at 8 a.m., but must be on site at 7 a.m. for mandatory equipment inspection. A team meeting is set for the evening before at 6 p.m. in the Sutton Room of the Georgina Inn.

As in the ice fishing championship, anglers can sign up at anytime prior to Sunday. Unlike the championship, participants in this tourney have a wide area to fish, Mr. Madsen said.

Anglers can dip their lines anywhere from Jackson's Point, around Georgina Island to Duclos Point, but they must return by the 2 p.m. deadline. Boundaries are subject to change. Ice conditions early this week were described as good.

Tourney headquarters is Smoky's Bait and Tackle on Lake Drive in Jackson's Point.

The tournament information line is 905-722-5425. See cifc.org for more details.