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  • Get ‘hooked’ on ice fishing 🎣
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Get ‘hooked’ on ice fishing 🎣

By Jordan Whitehouse

ice fishing winter february walleye pike trout charter
Courtesy of South Eastern Ontario

The Bay of Quinte is home to some of the best walleye fishing in the world, and the best part about it is that you can drop your line year round.

Zigzagging from Carrying Place in the west to the eastern tip of Prince Edward County in the east, the Bay is made up of hundreds of small inlets, tucked away honey holes and tributaries that are perfect for snagging walleye, salmon, pike and panfish. (Largemouth and smallmouth bass are also plentiful, but their season only opens in mid-June.) Although the first recorded people to fish these waters were likely Quebec missionaries in the mid-1600s, the bay had sustained the Iroquois people long before that.

ice fishing walleye pike trout charter fishing winter february
Courtesy of South Eastern Ontario

HOTSPOTS

Here are four areas along the Bay of Quinte you’re sure to get some bites:

Trenton Bay
Fish: largemouth bass, pike, panfish, walleye

The City of Trenton sits where the Trent River meets the Bay of Quinte, and it’s just offshore here, in Trenton Bay, and further west near the Murray Canal where you’ll find some of the best walleye fishing in the region.

Belleville Bay
Fish: largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, pike, panfish, walleye

Further east, where the Moira meets the Bay of Quinte is Belleville Bay, another great location for walleye, as well as largemouth and perch. The islands and inlets around the bay make for some excellent fishing spots.

Telegraph Narrows
Fish: largemouth, smallmouth, pike, panfish, walleye

Continuing east, past the Bay Bridge in Belleville to Deseronto, is this long, narrow area known by locals for its large populations of smallmouth and walleye.

Hay Bay
Fish: largemouth, pike, panfish, walleye

About 10-km south of Deseronto is Hay Bay. The eastern end is shallow and weedy, which makes it great for largemouth fishing, but in the western end it gets deeper, making it perfect for walleye trollers.

GUIDES
If you’re new to the area or new to ice fishing altogether, consider going out with a guide, who can help gauge whether the ice is strong enough to hold a fishing party.

Here are some of the many guides in the area, that can set you up with equipment, transportation and tips on how to catch that 10-pounder.

Merland Park
Merland Park Cottages on the Bay is open year round. Whether you are looking to spend some quite time relaxing or up for exploring the outdoors, Merland Park has what you are looking for. Spring through autumn, the fishing is widely acclaimed!

Fish Finder Charters
Your guide will be Captain Dave Chatterton, a professional fisherman and guide for over thirty years who’s been recommended by the North American Fisherman Club, and been featured on the Rod & Reel Streamside and The Ultimate Fishing television shows.

Bay of Quinte Charters
Scott Walcott and his wife, Sophie, run the Picton Harbour Inn, so accommodation packages are available. Fully guided tours are available year-round, with a fully-enclosed pilot house vessel to keep clients warm and comfortable regardless of what mother nature throws your way.

Muddy Waters Outfitters
Organized by Daniel Stone, Muddy Waters Outfitters provides wooden and clam ice shack rentals (with propane tank), flasher unit rentals and lunch with a full day of guiding.

Catch the “Shirt off/Fish On” class of competitors at the Annual Merland Park Ice Fishing Derby. | Courtesy of Picton Kiwanis

LICENSING INFORMATION
Be sure to check ice conditions – looks can be deceiving. And be sure to review Ontario’s fishing regulations before embarking on an ice fishing adventure.

General information on Ontario fishing licenses

Ontario fishing license options for Ontario residents

Ontario fishing license options for Canadian residents (other than Ontario residents)

Ontario fishing license options for non-Canadian residents

This blog also appears on The Great Waterway site.

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Visit The County is the DMMO for #PrinceEdwardCounty, a rural community bursting with creative talent & natural stunners.

Prince Edward County β„οΈπŸ·πŸ½οΈπŸ
🍁 Maple in The County is back! 🍁 Maple seas 🍁 Maple in The County is back! 🍁

Maple season is in full swing and the celebrations in Prince Edward County will culminate in the long-awaited return of Maple in The County from March 25-26, 2023. Featuring 5 local sugarbushes and a host of local businesses, Maple in The County is a wonderful outing for the whole family. Come on out to tour a sap house, enjoy a pancake breakfast, walk through the maple woods, and so much more. Head to mapleinthecounty.ca for more information and to plan your Maple in The County route! 

Participating Sugarbushes: 

Sweetwater Cabin / Hubbs Sugarbush
Fosterholm Farms
Vader's Maple Syrup @vadersmaple 
Roblin's Maple Syrup @roblins.maple 
Loha Farms @lohafarms 

πŸ“· by Ramesh Pooran of the Wellington Times

#PrinceEdwardCounty #PEC #CountyUp #DiscoverON #VisitTheCounty #SouthEasternOntario #TheCounty #BayOfQuinte #DiscoverOntario #Picton #SandbanksPP #VisitPEC #mapleinthecounty
🌱 Spring Countylicious 🌱 Countylicious is b 🌱 Spring Countylicious 🌱

Countylicious is back for spring from April 12 - May 1, 2023! Come out to The County for three weeks of prix fixe dining at restaurants you know, love, and have been dying to try. Stay tuned as we reveal menus and gift card giveaway from all 16 participating restaurants: 

@flameandsmith 
@7numberspicton 
@bloomfieldpublichouse 
@555brewingco 
@parsonsbrewing 
@pastaonesta 
@theroyalhotelpicton 
@TheWaringHouse 
@DrakeDevonshire 
@MerrillHouse1879 
@JacksonsFallsCountryInn 
@BocadoPEC 
@MatronFineBeer 
@StellasEatery 
@HartleysTavern 
@waupoosestatesrestaurant 

Head to http://countylicious.ca/ today to start planning your Countylicious experience.

#PrinceEdwardCounty #PEC #CountyUp #DiscoverON #VisitTheCounty #SouthEasternOntario #TheCounty #BayOfQuinte #DiscoverOntario #Picton #SandbanksPP #VisitPEC #Countylicious
🍁 Maple & More 🍷 Wondering what to do in Th 🍁 Maple & More 🍷

Wondering what to do in The County this March? Check out our latest blog for a round-up of everything you can see and do this month, from indulging in maple treats at local sugar bushes and eateries with @maplemadnesspec  and @mapleinthecounty, to tasting wines at the inaugural Γ‰levage: PEC Winter Wine Festival hosted by @pecwine , and everything in between. We've also included a preview of what you can expect next month (hint: it's de-LICIOUS πŸ˜‰).

Link in bio πŸ‘†

Image description: Sweetwater Cabin at Hubbs Sugar Bush, Maple in The County participant, taken by Karen Palmer. Above the image is a banner which reads "Experience Maple & More in The County this March." 

 #PrinceEdwardCounty #PEC #CountyUp #DiscoverON #VisitTheCounty #SouthEasternOntario #TheCounty #BayOfQuinte #DiscoverOntario #Picton #SandbanksPP #VisitPEC #MapleInTheCounty #MapleMadnessPEC #elevagepec #pecwine #MarchinTheCounty
🍷 Γ‰levage: PEC Winter Wine Festival 🍷 Want 🍷 Γ‰levage: PEC Winter Wine Festival 🍷

Want the chance to tour through 7 Prince Edward County winery venues while tasting wine and cider from 21 local producers?

Want to experience culinary delights from local chefs that showcase the winter cooking techniques integral to Canadian food culture?

Join us for Γ‰levage hosted by @pecwine on March 11-12, 2023 and celebrate winter in wine country.

For more information and to purchase tickets, head to the link in our bio πŸ‘†
❀️ PEC is for Lovers ❀️⁠ ⁠ Valentine's ❀️ PEC is for Lovers ❀️⁠
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Valentine's Day is almost here! Whether you're spending the day itself in PEC or you're joining us for a romantic weekend getaway, there's plenty happening this weekend to help make for a memorable stay with your love (or your bff, we're here for platonic love too)! ⁠
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πŸŽ™οΈ Enjoy Dinner and a Show on Saturday night at @KarloEstates with The Bees Knees, which includes a vegan meal and wine pairings, or start your weekend with Tasty Trivia ⁠
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πŸ–ΌοΈ Head to @oenogallery for their latest exhibition, "Conversations" and then have a conversation about your experience over a wine tasting @huffestateswine. ⁠
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🍽️ This weekend, enjoy early Valentine's Day meals at @adegapec, @wandertheresort, @flameandsmith, @grangewinery, @7numberspicton,  @the_blue_sail_seafood_company, and @TheWaringHouse. ⁠
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🧘 Start your Valentine's Day weekend with a refresh at @bodymatrixpec with Acu-Detox+Yoga.⁠
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🍫 Attend a chocolate-making workshop @shedchetwynfarms (limited spaces remain). ⁠
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πŸ’ƒπŸ» Dance your way to Valentine's day on February 11 at @thewaringhouse and on February 13 at @stellaseatery. ⁠
⁠
🍳 Go for brunch at @jacksonsfallscountryinn, @bermudapec, @parsonsbrewing, @karloestates, and many more delicious spots.⁠
⁠
πŸ§€ Have a cheesy day with a visit to @lighthallvineyards for Raclette Sunday. ⁠
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🏈 If football is your love language, spend Super Bowl Sunday in PEC at @555brewingco, @princeeddysbrewing, and @thecountycanteen.⁠
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❀️ On Valentine's Day itself experience special menus at @bloomfieldpublichouse, @creekside_cafe_pec, and @theroyalhotelpicton. ⁠
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πŸ“·οΈ Thanks to @OntarioTravel and @rto9_on⁠
Image Description: Two women, a couple, smile at each other while clinking glasses of white and red wine together at Adega in Consecon, PEC. ⁠
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#PrinceEdwardCounty #PEC #CountyUp #DiscoverON #VisitTheCounty #SouthEasternOntario #TheCounty #BayOfQuinte #DiscoverOntario #Picton #SandbanksPP #VisitPEC
πŸ” Burger it Forward πŸ”β  ⁠ This month, enj πŸ” Burger it Forward πŸ”β 
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This month, enjoy the signature burger at four participating restaurants in Prince Edward County and do some good. With each burger sold as part of the #BurgerItForward campaign, @lovecdnbeef will donate will donate the equivalent of 1 meal to Food Banks Canada. ⁠
⁠
πŸ” At @creekside_cafe_pec in Wellington check out their Creekside Burger, a 4 oz Local Beef Patty with Caramelized Onions, Tang Sauce, Garlic Aioli, Bread & Butter Pickles, and Cheddar Cheese. ⁠
⁠
πŸ” Head to @theacousticgrill to enjoy The Acoustic Jam, a an 8 oz Angus Beef Patty with Fresh Tomato, Greens, Onion, Horseradish Mayonnaise, Roasted Corn Salsa, and Caramelized Onions served on a Toasted Bakery Bun.⁠
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πŸ” Head to @theroyalhotelpicton for The Royal Burger, which features a Canadian Beef Patty, Cheddar Cheese, Shallot Butter, Rosemary Ketchup, and Aioli.⁠
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πŸ”  And finally at @thewaringhouse you'll find The County Burger, an 8 oz 100% Brisket Patty topped with Canadian Cheddar, Crispy Bacon, Canadian Maple Syrup, Lettuce, Tomato, Red Onion, Pickle and Homemade Chipotle Mayo Sauce served on a Brioche Bun.⁠
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#PrinceEdwardCounty #PEC #CountyUp #DiscoverON #VisitTheCounty #SouthEasternOntario #TheCounty #BayOfQuinte #DiscoverOntario #Picton #SandbanksPP #VisitPEC
β˜•οΈ Take a Coffee (or Cocoa) Break β˜•οΈβ 
⁠
It's a chilly one this weekend! When you need some relief from the cold, why not head inside for a bit of a winter warmer at a local café! Luckily, The County has lots of options for you and your kiddos to get warm with a coffee, hot chocolate or tea: ⁠
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🧸 Speaking of kids, if you have them you definitely want to head to @beaconbikebrew in Picton where their kid-friendly play area is perfect to keep them entertained while you relax with a brew. But thei café menu is ideal for big kids too! ⁠
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β˜•οΈ Also in Picton you’ll find @misslilyscafe, the @thebeancountercafe, and @LusoBites, where you’ll find a whole host of delicious Portuguese delights (including pastel de nata!) alongside a large coffee menu. You can also pop into @theroyalhotelpicton for a warm drink alongside a memorable cannoli. ⁠
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πŸ«– If tea is more your speed, don’t miss @SavonDuBois, whose apothecary is sure to provide the perfect remedy to a chilly day. ⁠
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🍡 Other spots to warm up throughout The County include @BloomfieldPublicHouse and @BloomfieldBeautyCo, @GOODPlacePEC, and @PiccolinaMercato and @demorestvillecafe_convenience. (Honourable mention to @ConseconHoneyHouseCafe who are currently hibernating like the bees, but will be back again soon.)⁠
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Image description: A young child plays with toys on the kid-friendly green carpet Beacon Bike+Brew. Their mother is on the floor with him, coffee in hand. ⁠
Image by OneLook⁠
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#PrinceEdwardCounty #PEC #CountyUp #DiscoverON #VisitTheCounty #SouthEasternOntario #TheCounty #BayOfQuinte #DiscoverOntario #Picton #SandbanksPP #VisitPEC #WinterinPEC
❄️ A Winter Bucket List for PEC ❄️⁠ ⁠ ❄️ A Winter Bucket List for PEC ❄️⁠
⁠
We're going to let you in on one of our best-kept secrets: winter in Prince Edward County. Sure, it's colder and quieter, but for us those are just added benefits that make for some unforgettable experiences. For the uninitiated that may need some convincing, so head to our blog to discover our complete bucket list for an incredible winter experience in The County.⁠
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Link in bio πŸ‘†οΈβ 
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Note: this bucket list might not be accomplished in a single weekend getaway, but maybe that calls for making a PEC winter getaway a tradition. Or better yet, book a longer stay to enjoy a whole week of winter fun in The County. Discover unique and luxurious accommodations on our website at visitthecounty.com/stay⁠
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