Is there anything else quite like ice fishing? When you get out on that ice, everything else falls away. It’s just you, the open sky, and the fish beneath a layer of frozen water.
Canada is known for its long, snowy winters, which makes it a fantastic place for ice fishing. Winter is well underway, and that means it’s time for ice fishing season. All you need to do is pick the perfect spot to set up.
You’ve come to the right blog! We’ve chosen these locations based on the stock of fish you can tap into when you visit. The beautiful views are a bonus.
Make your experience one to remember by visiting these amazing ice fishing locations in Canada:
First up on our list is a series of fishing spots in The Muskoka Lakes. Located just two hours from Toronto, ice fishers here have plenty of lakes to pick from in this fishing hot spot (but in the winter, it’s more of a cold spot, if you catch our drift).
By far, the biggest lake in the area is Lake Muskoka, which boasts a healthy population of Walleye, Whitefish, Pike, and Lake Trout.
Driving up to the Muskoka Lakes is the perfect trip for your family or a group of fisher friends. Since ice fishing is a popular activity in the area, plenty of businesses nearby offer accommodations, like ice huts and overnight rooms. Spend the day in a cozy ice hut catching fish, then drive to the town nearby to rest your head—and get back to fishing the next day!
You’ll find Kathleen Lake south of a small town called Haines Junction. In the summer, the water here sparkles crystal clear; in the water, it freezes over to create the perfect conditions for ice fishing.
The best time of year to visit this lake is in February and March. It’s located in a national park, which means it’s well-maintained and regulated.
The sights here can’t be beaten. While you wait for a Lake Trout to bite, you can take in the sights of the mountains of the Kluane Ranges that surround you. If you’re an experienced ice angler, you can venture onto the lake at nighttime and watch the sky dance with the Northern Lights.
And when you aren’t fishing, the area has plenty else to offer, including snowshoeing trails, and a town nearby.
This lake has a few unique conditions that make it an excellent spot for ice fishing. For one, it’s shallower than any other Great Lake. Since Lake Erie isn’t that deep, it has milder temperatures than most lakes on this list. Given these factors, it maintains a robust population of fish.
What kinds of fish can you catch at Lake Erie? To name a few, there are Yellow Perch and Northern Pike.
If you’d like a luxurious ice fishing experience, stop by Bayside Ice Fishing. They provide transportation to your heated shelter, wood stoves stocked with firewood, and bait (live minnows). They’ll even drill your fishing holes and start the fire for you. As soon as you arrive, you’ll be ready to start fishing!
Another option is Jimmy Riggin’ Fishing Charters, where you’ll get access to heated wooden ice huts, and a propane BBQ you can use to heat up food.
So this spot isn’t technically a lake—it’s a river—but it still makes for a great ice fishing destination! It’s a 1-hour drive from Québec City, and it’s located along the St. Lawrence River.
If you’re on the hunt for Winter Cod (also known as Tomcod or Tommy Cod), this is the place to go. Once you’ve stocked up on your favorite type of fish, use it to cook a delicious seafood chowder!
Every year, thousands of people travel to the town of Sainte-Anne-de-la-Pérade to enjoy the abundance of the river. It’s a fishing village through and through, with roughly 500 huts on the ice every year.
Since it’s such a popular spot, you’ll enjoy a sense of camaraderie with your fellow fishers. And when you aren’t fishing, you can go cross-country skiing or snowmobiling nearby!
This massive lake has a ton of great fishing spots! Known as the largest freshwater lake in the world, it’s no wonder why Superior is one of the greatest ice fishing lakes in Canada.
There are plenty of shallow bays nearby where you can find abundant fish, including Black Bay and Little Trout Bay. Keep in mind that in these spots, you’ll need to bring your own shelter. Bring your equipment, set up, and start the search for a big Perch!
If you prefer to fish with accommodations prepared for you, the Hamilton Baits and Ice Hut Rentals will be your go-to spot. Here, you can rent a heated shelter with a propane stove.
Let’s be honest: As fishers, we’re all longing for one of those photos, where we hold a massive Walleye in front of the camera, our cheeks rosy, and the ice sparkling in the background. Lake Winnipeg may just be the perfect place to snap that pic.
Lake Winnipeg is known for its population of Walleye. You’ll also be close to the Red River, where the fish are plentiful.
Winnipeg is especially known for its ice-cold winters, which makes it the perfect spot for ice fishing. You can find Walleyes that are truly astounding in size here. You’ll also find Yellow Perch, Lake Trout, Northern Pike, and Rainbow Trout.
Nestled in Southern Saskatchewan, Last Mountain Lake is a breathtaking spot to fish. The lake is 91 km long!
Of all the ice fishing destinations we’ve listed so far, this is one for experienced fishers only. You’ll be hard-pressed to find accommodations here; you’ll need to find your own transport and bring your own shelter.
But it’s worth it for what you can find under the water.
You’ll find prime ice fishing real estate near the north end of the lake—that’s where there’s plenty of Whitefish, Northern Pike, and Carp.
And who knows? You might even catch a Burbot. The sight of this fish might give you a scare—it resembles an eel—but it’s pretty delicious! If you catch one, you’ll bring home a tasty dinner.
Now here’s a curveball: This spot isn’t a lake or river, but a series of ponds! The Rock is an island in Newfoundland that’s surrounded by ponds.
You’ll tap into a unique selection of fish here, from Salmon to Arctic Char. Or some tasty, classic Trout!
When you’re done fishing, check out the sights nearby, from the mountains to the caribou in the nearby forests.
The ice fishing season here starts a bit later in the year than most Canadian spots. It’s usually not ready until February or March, so before you show up, do some research ahead of time.
Once you finish up on the ponds, you can head back to the island and cook up your hard work!
This is a popular spot for fishing year-round, but it’s spectacular during the winter.
Fishing here wasn’t always so serene. Back in 2005, there was an oil spill due to a train accident. For years, any fishing in the lake was catch and release. But now, over a decade later, the lake has been deemed safe to fish in again!
Now, fishing here is better than ever. Check out the luxury shacks you can rent on the frozen lake! These shelters are complete with TVs and video game systems. Modern-day fishing sure looks different than it did a few decades ago.
So, what kind of fish can you expect to cash in Wabamun Lake? Get your fishing rod ready for Lake Whitefish or Walleye.
The size of Trout you can find here is truly astounding—they can be up to 60 pounds! You can also catch Northern Pike and Arctic Grayling.
The ice fishing season here runs longer than most places, ranging from December-May. Once you finish fishing, take a tour of Yellowknife. After a long day on the lake, you can stay at one of the lodges nearby.
If you’re looking for a quiet, remote place to fish, then you’ll love visiting Great Slave Lake. On this wide-open lake, you can catch an unbelievable view of the Northern Lights.
What’s the best part about ice fishing? That answer varies for everyone. But after a long and cold day on the ice, coming home and cooking a tasty fish is definitely up there.
When you embark on your next ice fishing adventure, make note of the top spots for ice fishing in Canada.
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