The 13th annual Simcoe County Home Builders Association (SCHBA) Ice Fishing Tournament was held Saturday on Kempenfelt Bay with over 800 hopeful fisher-folks hitting the frozen lake.
The event has raised $420,000 to local Simcoe County charities with this year’s tally going to help the Women and Children’s Shelter of Barrie.
SCHBA executive officer Sandy Tuckey told BarrieToday the annual fishing competition sees 50 competitors able to win prizes all while braving the cold for a good cause.
“There is over $70,000 in prizes to be given away including a boat motor trailer, and ATV and a snowmobile with participants having only 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. to catch and have their fish weighed,” said Tuckey.
“It can get pretty cold out there, but no one ever complains because it is for such a great cause and also there are so many prizes being handed out to potential winners," she added.
There were only 36 fish caught with the remaining 14 prizes going out through a draw.
The top prize was for a 6.9-pound whitefish with that person winning a 4x4 MULE, while the smallest fish was a smelt that weighed in at 0.01 pounds.
Angler Rick Brown said he didn’t care if he catches anything, but it would have been nice.
“I love fishing and, truthfully, this is such a fun way to spend a few hours just enjoying others and the lake,” said Brown. “Everyone here is having a blast they’re just all too bundled up to tell.”
