02/08/2026
Brechin ice fishing derby eyes strong comeback on Lake Simcoe
'Once you hook your first fish, you’ll love the sport forever,' says Brechin and District Lions Club Ice Fishing Derby organizer Derrick Patrick.
Ice fishing enthusiasts are being invited back onto Lake Simcoe on Valentine’s Day weekend for the sixth annual Brechin and District Lions Club Ice Fishing Derby, with organizers expecting a strong rebound after several challenging winters.
The derby takes place Saturday, Feb. 14, with anglers fishing anywhere on Lake Simcoe for whitefish and lake trout. Weigh-ins will be held at 5 p.m. at Brechin Point Ice Hut Rentals, followed by dinner and prizes at the Udney Community Centre beginning at 6 p.m.
Derrick Patrick, the longtime organizer of the event, said the weather has been the single biggest factor shaping participation since the derby began.
“The interest has always been there, but we’re really regulated by the weather,” Patrick said. “Out of the six years, we’ve probably only had one really good ice year. Last year was terrible; there was close to two feet of slush on the ice. People were getting stuck everywhere, and it really deterred participation.”
Last year’s conditions kept numbers well below expectations, but the event still delivered meaningful community support.
“We were expecting around 200 people and ended up with about 85, but we still raised money, and that’s what matters,” Patrick said.
Despite the smaller turnout, the derby raised approximately $7,500 in 2025. This year, Patrick hopes to double that figure.
“I’d love to see us hit $15,000,” he said.
Funds raised through the derby support a wide range of local needs, with a focus on keeping money circulating within Simcoe County..
This year we’re supporting a project called Feed the Families, and the rest goes wherever it’s needed in the community,” Patrick said. “By the end of the year, there’s nothing left. Everything goes back out, and that’s why we keep doing these fundraisers.”
Conditions on the lake are shaping up far more favourably this season, giving organizers confidence heading into derby day.
“This is probably the best ice fishing year we’ve had in about 10 years,” Patrick said. “We had cold weather early, and even though there’s snow, the wind has been blowing it off the ice. Conditions are fantastic.”
Anglers will be competing for more than $5,000 in cash and prizes, with awards for first, second, and third place in each species category. Patrick said whitefish and lake trout have always been the focus of the derby because of how they open up the lake for participants.
“That’s how it’s always been. It opens up the whole lake,” he explained. “If you only target perch, you’re limiting where people can fish. With whitefish and lake trout, anglers can fish anywhere on Lake Simcoe.”
The event is scheduled on the Family Day long weekend, a choice Patrick said is intentional and aimed at lowering barriers for new anglers.
“We do it on Family Day weekend so there’s no fishing licence required,” he said. “Anyone can come out and try it. Once you hook your first fish, you’ll love the sport forever.”
This year’s derby also falls on Valentine’s Day, something Patrick sees as an added bonus rather than a conflict.
“What better way to spend Valentine’s Day than taking your wife out fishing and going for dinner afterwards,” he said with a chuckle.
Registration costs $60 and can be completed in advance or on the day of the event at Brechin Point Ice Hut Rentals. Participants can also register by calling Patrick directly at 705 340 1082. New this year is a dinner and prizes option for $40, allowing non-anglers to take part in the evening celebration. Those tickets include access to prizes, except for the biggest fish cash awards.
Safety remains a key consideration, particularly for those venturing farther from shore.
“Be aware of your surroundings and check the ice,” Patrick said. “Talk to local people, look for tracks, and don’t be negligent. The lake is frozen over, but no ice is ever completely safe.”
Beyond the fishing itself, Patrick said the derby plays an important role in sustaining local service clubs and the people they support.
“Ever since COVID, things have been tough, and if it wasn’t for social clubs like this, a lot of people would be doing without,” he said. “These clubs need support, and events like this really help people.”
As the derby enters its sixth year, Patrick hopes continued community backing and increased sponsorship will allow it to grow.
“I just hope it keeps rolling,” he said. “With corporate sponsors, this could become something really big. I appreciate the small businesses so much, but bigger sponsors could really help this tournament take off.”
For Patrick, the joy of putting on the event comes from watching families and friends come together.
“It’s always a good time,” he said. “The food is great, the prizes are great, and everyone just gets together and talks about the day on the ice.”
