Whether you're an experienced ice angler or want to try it for the first time, Northern Ontario is the place to go ice-fishing. With so many lakes that are popular summer fishing destinations, you know some of them offer the same - even better - fishing in the winter months. Read on and learn more about some of the best ice-fishing lakes in Northern Ontario, which are perfect destinations for your first (or next) ice-fishing trip. Since Northern Ontario is such a vast geographic region, it has been divided into four travel regions from east to west. You should go to the sub-region closest to your home, especially if it's your first time.
From the French River to the Algoma District, including the cities of North Bay, Sudbury, and Timmins, Northeastern Ontario offers anglers some great places to go ice fishing. Some of Ontario's most famous ice-fishing lakes are located in the region.
One of Ontario's most popular fishing spots is the French River, known for its incredible walleye population. Many of the resorts on the French River stay open all year round and offer ice fishing packages, including hut rentals. In addition to walleye, you can catch northern pike, whitefish, yellow perch, black crappie, and bass. The French River is a popular destination for ice anglers from the Greater Toronto Area.
Located near the City of North Bay, giant Lake Nipissing is 65 km long and 20 km wide, making it one of the largest lakes in Ontario. Lake Nipissing is the place to go if you love catching walleye (pickerel) or perch. There are many businesses serving ice anglers, and they offer ice fishing hut and gear rentals and can ensure a safe experience out on the ice. Contact Tourism North Bay for a list of ice-fishing outfitters on the lake.
Located on the Ontario/Quebec border, the massive Lake Temiskaming is a well-known ice fishing destination in Northern Ontario. At 110 km long and with an area of 295 square km, there is undoubtedly a lot of water to fish. The lake is known for its high-quality fishing due to its vast depths and many tributaries, with the deepest point being 709 feet. You can catch walleye, whitefish, yellow perch, smallmouth bass, lake trout and northern pike. On the Ontario side of the lake, several outfitters offer ice fishing hut rentals, or you can bring a tent, walk, or snowmobile out on the ice. The city of Temiskaming Shores (formerly New Liskeard and Haileybury) is located on the lake.
Even though it's a great lake, the North Channel of Lake Huron offers exciting fishing opportunities during the summer and winter months. For ice anglers, fishing in the North Channel can be done independently or through the services of a fishing lodge or outfitter. Catch walleye, pike, smallmouth bass, lake whitefish, and lake trout. Many anglers who want to go ice fishing visit Manitoulin Island, but other locations include Killarney and Gore Bay.
Located in north-central northern Ontario, Algoma Country is one of the most popular fishing destinations in the province, especially in the summer. But come winter, there are many lakes you can go to for a day of ice fishing.
Known for its quality bass and trout fishing, Chub Lake near Thessalon offers easy access to the water, good fishing, and accommodations. Chub Lake is close to Sault Ste Marie, so ice anglers there can easily rent a cabin for the weekend (or longer) and enjoy picturesque surroundings and a fun time with friends or family. Two lodges are open in winter: Northern Skies Resort and Limberlost Lodge.
Located only 15 minutes north of Elliot Lake, Dunlop Lake offers a multi-species ice fishing experience. Catch brook trout, lake trout and bass. The brook trout fishing is excellent. You can try the lake for a day or, better yet, rent a cabin at Dunlop Lake Lodge.
This lake is also near Thessalon, Ontario and offers a wilderness experience you won't forget. The lake is well-known for the numbers and size of the northern pike, but don't overlook the opportunity to catch smallmouth bass, lake whitefish and even ling. Other lakes close by offer walleye, lake trout and brook trout. You can stay at two lodges open in winter: Wakomota Lake Cottages and Snowshoe Camp Resort.
Located north of the western portion of Lake Superior, the Superior Country travel region is vast, and several lakes are ideal for ice fishing. In Ontario's Northwest, the fish are more plentiful and grow much bigger. This means you can catch a trophy fish through the ice.
The big lake can be challenging for ice-fishing, but the rewards are there, especially if you like catching lake trout, steelhead, perch, burbot, whitefish, and northern pike. Many local anglers from towns and cities on Lake Superior's shoreline venture out on the ice, searching for the giants that lurk in the depths. You can also rent a hotel room in Thunder Bay and access the big lake while enjoying the city's culinary and nightlife experiences.
The largest inland lake in Ontario, Lake Nipigon, is a freshwater ocean at 4,848 square km (1,872 square miles). Needless to say, a lake that big is going to harbour a lot of fish, many of them of the "super-size" variety. In its depths lurk giant lake trout, and in the shallower parts, walleye, brook trout and massive northern pike. The lake usually freezes over by late December, so there is a lot of time to go ice fishing. North Superior Charters offers ice fishing packages on the lake.
The Greenstone Region, which includes the communities of Geraldton, Jellicoe, Caramat, Beardmore, Longlac, and Nakina, is a vast area with hundreds of lakes, many of which are available for ice fishing. Catch lake trout, brook trout, northern pike, yellow perch and walleye. Several lodges, resorts, and outfitters offer ice-fishing packages, including Pasha Lake Cabins, Cedar Shores Resort, and White Wolf Resort.
Running from the Manitoba/Ontario border east to near Thunder Bay and from the Minnesota/Ontario border all the way north to Hudson Bay, Ontario's Sunset Country is a vast area in Northwestern Ontario and home to 70,000 freshwater lakes, rivers, and streams. It is also the least populated part of the Province, and it is fascinating that the lakes outnumber the people who live here! This means the ice fishing opportunities across the region are nearly endless. Here's a good article outlining where to go ice fishing in Northwestern Ontario. The list we present here will only scratch the surface, but here are some of the more popular ice-fishing lakes.
This mammoth lake should come as no surprise on any list that has to do with fishing. With an area covering 1 million square acres and 14,522 islands, the Lake of the Woods offers multiple species for ice anglers. Catch giant lake trout, walleye, perch, black crappie, whitefish and bass. There is also excellent fishing for burbot (ling) in winter. You can work with lodges and guides in Kenora, Sioux Narrows-Nestor Falls and Morson.
The ultimate ice fishing hotspot! Crow Lake is a deep, crystal-clear haven known for trophy lake trout that anglers can’t wait to hook when the season opens on January 1st! And that’s not all—the crappie bite is fierce all winter, plus there are hungry northern pike ready to be caught! Don’t miss the annual Crow Lake Ice Classic at Muskie Bay Resort for a fishing experience like no other!
Accessed primarily from Vermilion Bay and Eagle River, Eagle Lake is another large lake in Sunset Country. Given its size and complexity, Eagle Lake offers many choices for ice anglers, as you can go after walleye, northern pike, perch, lake trout and smallmouth bass. Places to go ice fishing on Eagle Lake Temple Bay Lodge, Birch Dale Lodge and Stanley's Resort.
A trendy spot for locals and visitors, Red Lake, offers four months' worth of safe ice to get out there and catch a big fish. Walleye, northern pike, lake trout and perch are the quarry. In addition to hotels in Red Lake, several lodges in the area offer winter cabins for ice anglers. Check out the Hwy 105 list for more information. If you're wondering how big the fish get in this area, this article should leave no doubt about what you might catch. The nearby Gullrock Chain of Lakes is also a popular ice-fishing destination. Check out what Five Lakes Lodge has to offer.
These two lakes near Dryden, Ontario, offer excellent ice fishing opportunities for black crappie, walleye, and perch. You can also catch northern pike and smallmouth bass. Stay at one of Dryden's many hotels or a lodge on one of the lakes. Enter the Dryden Trailblazers Tourism Association's tagged fish contest before you set out on the lake, and you could win big if you catch a tagged fish. Lodges open in winter include Merkel's Camp.
This list of lakes is just a small sample of places to go ice-fishing in Northern Ontario. There are hundreds of other lakes available. Contact the Destination Marketing Organization in the area you want to visit.
