Bay of Quinte bungalows. Want or need

I am trying to determine if there is a want or need of overnight bungalows on the Bay of Quinte.
i am currently working on registering a business that will rent huts on the Bay, and I'm looking for some imput into what the customer wants.
i have only my personal huts at this time, but am planning on building more soon. I am polling the fishers on here as to what they think of the idea of overnighters as well as wants and needs.
i realize the majority of the fish caught on the Bay are caught during the morning and afternoon prime times and this may work against the whole idea, but for those considering fishing multiple days, it might be just the ticket, eliminating renting motel room(s) and travelling on and off the ice multiple times.

Please let me know your thoughts, no idea too small or opinion too silly.

Why wouldn't it ? Only issue I can see is ice safety. Most of the areas I fish are to thin at times for a permanent hut. But I know quinte is worth the trip for guys so I'm sure you could make it

Yeah, quinte ice conditions are so variable, its kinda risky with permanent huts.

What area are you thinking of setting up in? That would also make a difference for me.

How are you planning on getting people and gear out and back to huts?

That said, I do know guys, possibly myself included, who would be interested.

S.

Thank you for your input. I was thinking about basing out east of Trenton, not anywhere near the mouth as the current is too strong and the ice unpredictable. I am choosing this area partly because of my own personal success but also because of the ample parking and easy access.
There could also be trophy fishing arranged in the Napanee area, but the Trenton area is ideal for eating size fish.
i am considering smaller huts built for 2 or 4 people not only to keep them light for easy transportation, but for mobility.
i have access to a tracked Argo for transportation purposes.

I think I will build varying sizes to appeal to all group sizes and also avoid having to have a minimum group size which many outfitters have.
I will be fully insuring my business.
There is plenty on parking available although realistically I won't be able monitor the lot or be liable for what goes on at all times. In the years that I have been going there I haven't heard of damage or theft happening, but I suppose it could.
I will be approaching the local bait shops in order to obtain bulk discounts. I am allowed 10 dozen minnows before having to get special licensing.
As an avid fisherman myself I will be staying on the ice for the majority of the day to cater to the customers needs as well as catching the odd fish myself.

I wish you well in your in your business, maybe have to do a trip that way instead of Nippissing.

I think it's a great idea we used to go to nip and stay in bungalows and would rather have gone somewhere the fishing doesn't suck like quinte

Thanks for the words of encouragement guys.

That end around bayside always has good fishing. Good luck and keep us posted

Will do and thanks CCC

Sounds like a Great Idea, I know a few guys that would do overnights on Quinte, myself included!

I think it's a great idea. I'd definitely give it a try. If you don't mind me asking, any idea of cost per man or hut ?

I would be looking into it if it happens.

Is the ice stable/predictable enough to provide this kind of operation? Yes it was very cold last year and will probably be again this year, but what about investing money and then having milder winters? This would be a great option if it could work.

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Originally Posted by ChrisM23

Sounds like a Great Idea, I know a few guys that would do overnights on Quinte, myself included!

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Thats very encouraging, thanks for your vote of confidence.
With hard water quickly approaching, I had better get busy putting this plan in motion.

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Originally Posted by Chevy

I think it's a great idea. I'd definitely give it a try. If you don't mind me asking, any idea of cost per man or hut ?

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I haven't gotten that far yet, I am still working on my business plan, determining all the costs related in building and maintaining the huts, including gas, propane, minnows etc etc..
I'm not trying to recoup all my investment on the backs of my customers the first year, but also won't be able to make it so cheap the I won't be able to keep afloat.
i have studied the prices charged by all the hut operator on Simcoe and Nippissing and my prices will be in line with what they charge. Definitely not more and quite possibly on the lower end of the scale.

Thanks for the vote of confidence and hopefully I'll see you on the ice.

With the fishery pretty well collapsed on Nipissing you are in a position to do well. I would suggest you offer day packages as well as overnight ones and you will have both markets covered. operate like this for a couple of seasons and then you can decide which makes more sense from a business point. Don't forget to price out insurance.

great idea i like the 2 people overnight cabins, instead of having to fill a 6 person all the time
keep us updated I would def do this trip.

Don't forget to consider access, overnight parking, and storage of your huts in the off season. The way the weather is going, we could be on ice before we know it. I'm keeping an eye on this.....I live close, but there are times when the weather sucks, and I'd rather just stay over night out there.

S.

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Originally Posted by Sinker

Don't forget to consider access, overnight parking, and storage of your huts in the off season. The way the weather is going, we could be on ice before we know it. I'm keeping an eye on this.....I live close, but there are times when the weather sucks, and I'd rather just stay over night out there.

S.

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I have considered the access and parking in choosing my location. The huts would be coming home with me for the rest of the year.
i have been saying for years that I would like the option to stay over when the weather has been nasty and I didn't want to leave my hut, with the option to have some pops without having to pick a DD

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Originally Posted by terrym

With the fishery pretty well collapsed on Nipissing you are in a position to do well. I would suggest you offer day packages as well as overnight ones and you will have both markets covered. operate like this for a couple of seasons and then you can decide which makes more sense from a business point. Don't forget to price out insurance.

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I do have every intention of making the huts available for day rentals as well as overnighters.
I have spoken to my insurance provider and he is looking into it. It's a first for him.

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Originally Posted by zoom1200

great idea i like the 2 people overnight cabins, instead of having to fill a 6 person all the time
keep us updated I would def do this trip.

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When I first considered this I thought about what I would like. Although it might be a good party hanging with the guys in a big hut, I thought with the smaller huts a couple of guys could be quite comfy and do some serious fishing, or even bring the wife and or son out fishing for the day or weekend.

i also realize there is a need for the larger huts for the guys that are out to have fun and hang out with the boys for the weekend, catching fish, drinking a few and maybe even some Texas hold 'em and I would be foolish to ignore that market. This will be trial and error at first and 1 may do much better than the other, but I'd like to cover all the bases

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Originally Posted by jimmer

Is the ice stable/predictable enough to provide this kind of operation? Yes it was very cold last year and will probably be again this year, but what about investing money and then having milder winters? This would be a great option if it could work.

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One never knows what going to happen, or how the ice will be on any given year but nothing ventured nothing gained. I have said for years I would like the option of staying overnight, I'm sure a lot of these guys with the bigger huts have been for years.
i will be on the ice every day this winter so I will be able to closely monitor the ice and fish situation and will be constantly moving these huts in order to stay on fresh, solid ice.

The main outlay will be in the building of the huts, but I feel that if I make them to last and look after them that they will last many years. I realize this isn't a retirement plan ( would be sweet though) I feel that eventually the huts will provide me with a winter income and job that I won't mind getting up early for.

Sounds like a great plan middlewick, hope all goes well count me and my son in for sure. As many have stated nip is getting pretty dismal.

If you have nice huts and pics of clients with fish whether it's walleye or nice perch on a website. I have a feeling you will have to build many more huts. With nipissing the way it is right now people are dying for an alternative. Good luck and I'm sure you will do very well

Thanks for the kind words, once i get the business registered and insured I will be building the huts and working with someone to help me with a website. I am going to be going at this with a vengeance to ensure that not 1 day of fishable ice is wasted.
i will have make sure I get many photos of all the clients with their catches. Good call.

i have been getting tremendous feedback from this board a well as Quinte fishing forum and iceshanty forum.
Full steam ahead.

Things are moving ahead, I have been talking to the Quinte West municipal government to ensure I that all my Ts are crossed and i's are dotted and meet any by laws and licensing requirements.


This week I will be prettying up my existing huts and building new huts. I have been busy picking up furnaces, stoves and lighting for my huts.
I'm having some trouble picking a name for my business (any suggestions). Leaning towards something simple like Middlewick's Adventures or Richardson's Outdoor Adventures


Finding insurance has also been a challenge. I have spoken to some of the outfitters on Nipissing to find out what they do. Some don't have insurance and just have the renters sign a liability waiver, while others do have insurance, which they say is very costly.
I don't feel comfortable not having insurance to cover my butt, so will be shopping around this week.
I will keep you updated.

Let us know when you have prices for the rentals.

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Originally Posted by middlewick

Things are moving ahead, I have been talking to the Quinte West municipal government to ensure I that all my Ts are crossed and i's are dotted and meet any by laws and licensing requirements.


This week I will be prettying up my existing huts and building new huts. I have been busy picking up furnaces, stoves and lighting for my huts.
I'm having some trouble picking a name for my business (any suggestions). Leaning towards something simple like Middlewick's Adventures or Richardson's Outdoor Adventures


Finding insurance has also been a challenge. I have spoken to some of the outfitters on Nipissing to find out what they do. Some don't have insurance and just have the renters sign a liability waiver, while others do have insurance, which they say is very costly.
I don't feel comfortable not having insurance to cover my butt, so will be shopping around this week.
I will keep you updated.

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Allen Insurance in Warkworth have coverage for hunt camps, so maybe they can get you a price for your business.

Thanks Foxx, I spoke to them and they are looking into it.

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Originally Posted by middlewick

I'm having some trouble picking a name for my business (any suggestions). Leaning towards something simple like Middlewick's Adventures or Richardson's Outdoor Adventures.

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I would want to make sure that a google search calls up my business. I would suggest _____ Ice Fishing Adventures because most folks will use "ice fishing" as a search criteria.

Good luck with your venture. Sounds like it will work well for you. Between good ice and staying on fish that argo may get a real good work out.

Cheers

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Originally Posted by smitty55

I would want to make sure that a google search calls up my business. I would suggest _____ Ice Fishing Adventures because most folks will use "ice fishing" as a search criteria.

Good luck with your venture. Sounds like it will work well for you. Between good ice and staying on fish that argo may get a real good work out.

Cheers

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Agreed - SEO optimization and a solid web presence will make or break your business. Word of mouth will work once you start getting a solid clientele and demonstrate that you have a quality product.

FishFrenzy

I agree that this would work, but I don't want to limit the new enterprise strictly to ice fishing. This would be a large part of the services I'd like to eventually offer.
i know that when I search for many things online, it's not just the company name that gets the word out but also key words within the ad or article as well. I think I need an easy catchy name with plenty of key words and phrases.
I have been approached by a web site designer that has done other ice fishing businesses, and would like time in the huts in lieu of pay. Sounds like a no brainer.

I already have our traditional weekend booked on nip,but I always wanted to try Quinte for a day,so that may be an option this year and maybe an overnighter in the future if nip keeps going the way it is.Let us now when you are up and running and what your rates are.

Coming from quite a distance....Sarnia.....I would prefer to stay in a bungalow....one trip out...one trip in....can have a few wobbly pops and not worry about going anywhere. I know a few guys who would get huts if you set up the business.....keep us posted and good luck.

IFAQ, Ice Fishing Adventures Quinte.

I agree with what many have said...an alternative to nipissing/temagami for a walleye oriented bungalow experience is something many people are looking for, including myself. Good luck to you sir

any update

I'll be there. Let us know.

adventure ice fishing .....if advertising you want to start with an a...eh?

I've just started receiving quotes from insurance companies and will have that set up by next week. I also have a meeting with the Quinte West municipal government next week to see about a bylaw change the will allow overnight parking for customers.
i have 1 four man overnighter and 2 two man overnighters ready as well as a couple, day rental huts.
I will have everything in place by the time the ice is ready.
i have decided not to have the large bungalows as I feel they would be too heavy for the BOQ ice. If after this year, I find that they will work I will build them for the following year.

any pics of the huts available, you should also start a facebook page for your business, if you do keep it updated with conditions ect

I will get some pictures uploaded to photobucket so that I can share them.
Im hoping to have something on Facebook soon as well.

I now have an ad available on kijiji Toronto and Belleville with some info and pictures. Type in Quinte Bungalows.

http://www.kijiji.ca/v-view-details....teLocale=en_CA

Good luck with the business, I'll have to try it some time.

Awesome good for you. Another thing BOQ needs is a shuttle service

Thanks for your kind words and encouragement. I suppose I could offer a shuttle service during my slow times, which I'm sure will be most of the middays as im planning on spending most of my time on the ice to make myself available to my customers. Unfortunately, not many people want a lift at these times. I may get a lot of reading in or perch fishing.

What are your prices? The Ad didn't mention.

FishFrenzy

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Originally Posted by middlewick

Thanks for your kind words and encouragement. I suppose I could offer a shuttle service during my slow times, which I'm sure will be most of the middays as im planning on spending most of my time on the ice to make myself available to my customers. Unfortunately, not many people want a lift at these times. I may get a lot of reading in or perch fishing.

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Quinte walleye are party fish. They sleep in lol my PB top three fish have been caught between 11am and 3pm. Same with our M&G last year nothing til aftet 11. And the perch fishing on Quinte is amazing and so can the night bite crappies

If I'm sitting there I will be fishing. I hope to get some good ones this year.

Fishfrenzy i I didn't add the prices, I would rather wait until I have a website setup. But pm me and I will give you the prices, or email me from kijiji and mention your online name.

Would be intersted in staying overnight on the ice. Good luck and once you get everything set up will have to get in touch with you. Friend from work really wants to fish Quinte and this sounds like a great idea!

All we need is some cooperation from Mother Nature. I've already paid my insurance on my huts and really need some cold weather.
4 huts ready to go and I'm still putting finishing touches on 2 others.

Ya big difference from a yr ago. I posted on Facebook on the 23rd a fish (aka minnow) I got on rice. It came up that one yr ago I posted a pic from Quinte the same day!