Just because cold weather freezes your favourite watering hole doesn’t mean the fishing season has to end. In fact, the winter is one of the best times of year for fishing Ontario’s lakes, with popular fishing spots often being free of tourists for a quiet and relaxing angling experience.
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Lakes once crowded with summer visitors are virtually empty during ice fishing season, while picturesque lakeshores offer vast, expansive visions of white layered with a variety of ice fishing huts and winter services.
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From world-renowned ice fishing havens to lesser-known spots perfect for a quiet weekend getaway, these 15 best ice fishing trips in Ontario promise unforgettable experiences casting your lines through Canada’s beautiful frozen lakes.
The 15 Best Ice Fishing Trips in Ontario
1. Lake Simcoe
Considered by many to be the ice fishing capital of North America, Lake Simcoe is by far one of the best spots for planning your ice fishing trips in Ontario.
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Not only does the lake completely freeze over in the winter and promise reliable ice fishing conditions, but the waters themselves boast some of the province’s greatest diversity, with common catches including yellow perch, lake trout, white fish, northern pike, and much more.
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What’s more, thanks to its famed reputation as a renowned ice fishing hot spot, Lake Simcoe also features a great selection of outfitters, rentable ice huts, and even a family-friendly resort perfect for hosting your ice fishing trip.
Ice Fishing in Lake Simcoe
Location: Southern Ontario (Barrie, Orillia)
Fish Species: Yellow Perch, Lake Trout, Whitefish, Lake Herring, Burbot, Northern Pike, Smallmouth Bass
2. Lake Nipissing
While not as famous as Lake Simcoe, Lake Nipissing competes with the renowned destination as one of the best spots for hosting ice fishing trips in Ontario thanks to its biodiverse winter fish species that include perch, walleye, white fish, and more.
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And while Lake Nipissing doesn’t host the droves of international tourists that flock to Lake Simcoe each year, it does promise a healthy infrastructure for ice fishing, with several local outfitters and hut rentals available throughout the area.
Ice Fishing in Lake Nipissing
Location: Northern Ontario (North Bay)
Fish Species: Walleye, Smallmouth Bass, Largemouth Bass, Northern Pike, Muskie
3. Rice Lake
Boasting fish-rich waters just a short drive from Toronto, Rice Lake is one of the most convenient ice-fishing trips in Ontario and serves as a fantastic day for either a day or a whole weekend angling through its frozen waters.
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Promising more fish per acre than any other lake in Ontario, ice fishing in Rice Lake rewards a fun experience angling a diversity of species, with the most common catches being walleye, smallmouth bass, and crappie.
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While not as developed for ice fishing as either Lake Simcoe or Nipissing, Rice Lake does feature a selection of local outfitters and resorts offering ice fishing trips or ice hut rentals.
Ice Fishing in Rice Lake
Location: Southeastern Ontario (Peterborough)
Fish Species: Muskie, Walleye, Smallmouth Bass, Largemouth Bass, Carp, Crappie
4. Lake of the Woods
Located in northwestern Ontario, Lake of the Woods is an internationally renowned ice fishing destination home to a massive variety of fish species. Perch, pike, white fish, and trout can all be caught within this lake’s cold waters. However, the primary catch at Lake of the Woods is walleye, with the lake even being known as the Walleye Capital of the World.
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As a world-class fishing destination, Lake of the Woods features several outfitters and ice-fishing cabin rentals for a long weekend getaway or a quick ice-fishing excursion.
Ice Fishing in Lake of the Woods
Location: Northwestern Ontario (Kenora, Whitefish Bay)
Fish Species: Lake Trout, Walleye, Crappie, Bass, Pike, Muskie
5. Lake Erie
Another great ice fishing trip in southwestern Ontario, Lake Erie boasts some of the most abundant fish populations in the province. In fact, Ontario’s southernmost waterways are home to over 50% of all fish species in the Great Lakes, with common catches including walleye, lake trout, steelhead trout, and yellow perch.
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Those looking to ice fish the shallow waters of Lake Erie should head over to Long Point, St. Williams, or Port Rowan. These fantastic destinations frequently freeze over for perfect ice fishing conditions, while nearby outfitters are conveniently located nearby, offering charters and ice hut rentals.
Ice Fishing in Lake Erie
Location: Southwestern Ontario (Long Point, St. Williams, Port Rowan)
Fish Species: Walleye, Yellow Perch, Lake Trout, Steelhead Trout, Smallmouth Bass
6. Lake Ontario
One of the best ice fishing trips near Toronto, Lake Ontario is just a short drive from the province’s capital and offers a convenient nearby location for catching a variety of salmon and trout species throughout the winter months.
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While not all of Lake Ontario freezes over, the Bay of Quinte promises reliable ice fishing conditions, while a small selection of local outfitters are available to provide charters and cabin rentals for a fun weekend getaway.
Ice Fishing in Lake Ontario
Location: Southern Ontario (Bay of Quinte, Toronto)
Fish Species: Chinook Salmon, Steelhead Trout, Brown Trout, Lake Trout, Atlantic Salmon
7. Crystal Lake
Located in the Kawartha Lakes region, Crystal Lake is one of the best spots for an ice-fishing trip in southeastern Ontario and boasts a wide variety of fish species for family-friendly winter angling.
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Set just a short drive from the charming Atikokan community, Crystal Lake makes for a great day trip, catching smallmouth bass, northern pike, lake trout, and more.
Ice Fishing in Crystal Lake
Location: Southeastern Ontario (Kawartha Lakes)
Fish Species: Largemouth Bass, Walleye, Smallmouth Bass, Northern Pike, Yellow Perch
8. Wawa Lake
Ice fishing is one of the most popular pastimes in the northeastern Ontario community of Wawa. In fact, the charming small town even holds an annual ice fishing derby, with over $140,000 worth of prizes awarded to the derby winners.
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Whether partaking in the competition or just looking for a fun ice fishing trip with the family, Wawa Lake makes for a great winter escape and boasts abundant populations of lake trout, northern pike, and lake white fish.
Ice Fishing in Bay of Quinte
Location: Northeastern Ontario (Wawa)
Fish Species: Lake Trout, Northern Pike, Lake Whitefish
9. Lake Nosbonsing
Set just a half-hour drive from Lake Nipissing’s North Bay, Lake Nosbonsing offers a smaller and less visited frozen surface for a quieter ice fishing trip in Ontario, free from the heavy crowding that can occur at the more popular nearby sites.
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While not as famous, Lake Nosbonsing is home to a great abundance of cold-water fish species, including northern pike, white sucker, rock bass, yellow perch, and walleye.
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What’s more, thanks to its location near one of Ontario’s most popular ice fishing sites, Lake Nosbonsing is surrounded by great ice fishing cabin rentals and local outfitters for a convenient trip.
Ice Fishing in Lake Nosbonsing
Location: Northeastern Ontario (Astorville, Bonfield)
Fish Species: Northern Pike, White Sucker, Rock Bass, Yellow Perch, Walleye, Smallmouth Bass
10. Lake Superior
The largest of the Great Lakes, Lake Superior is also home to some of Canada’s best ice fishing waters, particularly along the stretch of shoreline between Thunder Bay and Red Rock in northwestern Ontario.
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Home to populations of Chinook salmon, lake trout, and brook trout, Lake Superior is not as popular as some other lakes featured on this list but is a great spot for first-time winter anglers, with a small selection of ice fishing huts and charters located nearby.
Ice Fishing in Lake Superior
Location: Northwestern Ontario (Thunder Bay, Red Rock)
Fish Species: Chinook Salmon, Lake Trout, Brook Trout
11. Elliot Lake
Another small northern Ontario community with an active ice fishing culture, Elliot Lake City makes for one of the best ice fishing trips in Ontario, complete with an annual ice fishing derby held every February.Â
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Whether visiting for the derby or partaking in some causal ice fishing, Elliot Lake is a great spot for catching smallmouth bass, northern pike, lake char, brook trout, and chinook salmon.
Ice Fishing in Elliot Lake
Location: Northern Ontario (Elliot Lake City)
Fish Species: Smallmouth Bass, Northern Pike, Lake Char, Brook Trout, Chinook Salmon
12. Lake Huron
While most of Lake Huron doesn’t typically freeze over, the Great Lake does offer a few fantastic ice fishing spots, particularly along its north shore around the Saginaw Bay area.
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With conditions suitable for ice fishing, this region features a small selection of local outfitters and ice fishing operators for a winter angling trip, catching smallmouth bass, yellow perch, rainbow trout, lake trout, and walleye.
Ice Fishing in Lake Huron
Location: Southwestern/Central Ontario (Saginaw Bay)
Fish Species: Smallmouth Bass, Yellow Perch, Rainbow Trout, Lake Trout, Walleye
Flowing its way through Canada’s capital, the Ottawa River is a fantastic spot for an ice-fishing day trip in the city. Freezing in the winter, the river’s waters feature abundant populations of smallmouth bass, northern pike, yellow perch, black crappie, and more.
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And while the river’s convenient location means these waters can be fished as a day trip, those looking for an extended ice fishing trip can follow the river just outside of the city, where they can find a selection of cabin rentals during the ice fishing season.
Ice Fishing in the Ottawa River
Location: Central Ontario (Ottawa)
Fish Species: Smallmouth Bass, Northern Pike, Yellow Perch, Black Crappie
14. Lac des Milles Lacs
Covering 94 square miles of northwestern Ontario landscape, Lac des Milles Lacs is one of the most popular year-round fishing destinations in the province and is a great location for a quiet ice fishing trip, complete with ice hut rentals and local outfitters.
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Common fish caught within these waters include walleye, northern pike, yellow perch, eelpout, lake whitefish, and smallmouth bass.
Ice Fishing in Lac des Milles Lacs
Location: Northwestern Ontario (Suvanne)
Fish Species: Walleye, Smallmouth Bass, Northern Pike, Yellow Perch, Eelpout, Lake Whitefish
15. Hawk Lake
Located in Ontario’s far northwestern corner near Kenora, Hawk Lake is a great spot for ice fishing away from popular tourist fishing destinations. While services and outfitters are not as abundant at this lake, the Little Hawk Resort serves as a great family friendly base as you scour the frozen waters for Walleye, Northern Pike, Smallmouth Bass, Crappie, and Yellow Perch.
Ice Fishing in Hawk Lake
Location: Northwestern Ontario (Kenora, Vermilion Bay)
Fish Species: Walleye, Northern Pike, Smallmouth Bass, Crappie, Yellow Perch
