Ice Fishing

ICE FISHING AT ITS BEST

RIGHT HERE, IN NORTHEASTERN ONTARIO

Northeastern Ontario’s frozen lakes are the perfect place to experience world-class ice fishing and set your sights on your next personal best. With an early freeze and a late-spring thaw, our region boasts hundreds of thousands of icy lakes to explore. This vast, pristine land located just a few hours from major cities like Toronto and Ottawa is the perfect place to make unforgettable ice fishing memories.

Ice Fishing Northeastern Ontario - Woman with Ice Auger

This winter, discover our world-class fishing destination that offers a range of ice fishing experiences. Whether on foot or by snowmobile there are dozens of easily-accessible ice fishing villages located throughout the region–each with a variety of lodges and camps and ice fishing availability throughout the winter.

The waterways here could keep you busy for a lifetime, never touching the same lake twice–as long as you’re willing to wet a line. Have we got you on the hook?

Partner Listings

Mowat Landing Cottages

Mowat Landing Cottages is located at the road’s end, on the banks of the Montreal River, in beautiful Northern Ontario....

Two Rivers Motel

Two Rivers Motel is located in Papineau-Cameron, Mattawa Ontario. Travelers eager for a bit of culture can stop by Mattawa...

Mattawa Adventure Camp

We are a year round camp located in up North in the beautiful town of Mattawa Ontario. We are situated...

Great Escape Cabins

Surrounded by Crown Land, Great Escape Cabins is a northern cabin and campground resort, situated within the beautiful French River...

KapRiver Outfitters

Several decades of operations have made KapRiver Outfitters one of the most experienced outfitters in Northeastern Ontario. Peter and Terry...

Elk Lake Wilderness Resort

Elk Lake Wilderness Resort is a 4 seasons resort located just outside of the town of Elk Lake. Our 10...

Les Suites des Presidents’ Suites

Vacation rental homes and glamping on Lake Temiskaming. Our historical award-winning homes are the perfect venue for your vacations, family...

Mattawa River Cottage

Located on the historic Mattawa River, The Mattawa River Cottage is a private waterfront property overlooking the Ottawa River, nestled...

Agnew Lake Lodge

Agnew Lake Lodge offers year-round accommodations and recreational packages. This winter we have new snowmachine trails, guided tours, ice fishing,...

Camp Conewango

Camp Conewango is a resort on the north shore of Lake Talon with a seasonal campground that is perfect for...

The Nuthatch Retreat Cottage

STAR Licensed #2023 – 02 for Billings Township. North Channel waterfront location. Two minutes away from Bridal Veil Falls and...

Elk Lake Lodge

Come enjoy the peace and tranquillity of Elk Lake Lodge. A four-season resort ideal for couple vacations, family reunions, weddings,...

Gore Bay Overnight Apartment Hotel

McLAUGHLIN BLOCK GORE BAY OVERNIGHT APARTMENT HOTEL 705 282 3196 OPEN ALL YEAR Gore Bay Manitoulin Hotel has five completely...

Sportsman’s Inn Resort & Marina

Perched atop the pebbled shores of the North Channel, the Sportsman’s Inn is surrounded by the glistening waters and windswept...

Saul Outfitters

For decades, the Saul family has been bringing the northern outdoor experience to anglers, hunters, campers and photographers from across...

Mattawa River Resort

Travelers who love the great outdoors will delight in a vacation at the Mattawa River Resort. Located in the heart...

Green Bay Lodge

Green Bay Lodge is a boutique waterfront resort located on the northern tip of Lake Manitou. We offer five, bright,...

Cedar Village & Marina

Cedar Village & Marina, the heart of the Pickerel River and Lower French River. Come to stay in, rent or...

Big Moose Camp Resort

Big Moose Camp is a family owned and operated four season resort on Lake Nosbonsing, near North Bay. A place...

North River Outfitters

North River Outfitters offers fully guided fishing/ice fishing, small game, black bear, whitetail deer, waterfowl and wolf hunts. ATV/snowmobile tours...

Standing Pines Lodge

Our off-grid cabins are located 36 km from River Valley on Manitou Lake. Hwy 805 is a graded gravel road....

Dionne Quints Heritage Board

On May 28, 1934, five identical girls were born to Oliva and Elzire Dionne, a Franco-Ontario family in the tiny...

Killarney Mountain Lodge and Conference Centre

As the sun sets, the warm glow of pink granite radiates off of the water. In the distance, sparkling white...

Otter Pointe Resort

Are you seeking a memorable and relaxing experience in the pristine Canadian wilderness? Just minutes outside of North Bay, Otter...

WildExodus Adventures

WildExodus is a hospitality and premier outdoor adventure tour provider in Northeastern Ontario, Canada. Experience the Boreal forest with a...

Saenchiur Flechey Resort

Peaceful, charming, and set against the backdrop of the Northern Ontario’s boreal forest, Saenchiur Flechey is a family-owned business that...

Mowat Landing Cottages

Mowat Landing Cottages is located at the road’s ...

L9, C5, Barr Twp, Mowat Landing Road
Haileybury, ON

Two Rivers Motel

Two Rivers Motel is located in Papineau-Cameron, ...

4801 HWY 17 W
Papineau-Cameron, ON

Mattawa Adventure Camp

We are a year round camp located in up North in ...

4601 Highway 17E
Mattawa, ON

Great Escape Cabins

Surrounded by Crown Land, Great Escape Cabins is ...

884A Hwy 607
Alban, ON

KapRiver Outfitters

Several decades of operations have made KapRiver ...

10 Erie Street
Kapuskasing, ON

Elk Lake Wilderness Resort

Elk Lake Wilderness Resort is a 4 seasons resort ...

590 Highway 65
Elk Lake, ON

Les Suites des Presidents’ Suites

Vacation rental homes and glamping on Lake ...

620 Lakeshore Road
Temiskaming Shores, ON

Mattawa River Cottage

Located on the historic Mattawa River, The ...

Water Street
Mattawa, ON

Agnew Lake Lodge

Agnew Lake Lodge offers year-round accommodations ...

847 Agnew Lake Road
Webbwood, ON

Camp Conewango

Camp Conewango is a resort on the north shore of ...

1875 Songis Road
Redbridge, ON

The Nuthatch Retreat Cottage

STAR Licensed #2023 - 02 for Billings Township. ...

627 CD Newburn Road
Kagawong, ON

Elk Lake Lodge

Come enjoy the peace and tranquillity of Elk Lake ...

1000 Ontario Street
Elk Lake, ON

Gore Bay Overnight Apartment Hotel

McLAUGHLIN BLOCK GORE BAY OVERNIGHT APARTMENT ...

59 Meredith Street
Gore Bay, Manitoulin, ON

Sportsman’s Inn Resort & Marina

Perched atop the pebbled shores of the North ...

37 Channel Street
Killarney, ON

Saul Outfitters

For decades, the Saul family has been bringing ...

494 Calbeck Avenue
Matachewan, ON

Mattawa River Resort

Travelers who love the great outdoors will ...

6251 Highway 17
Mattawa, ON

Green Bay Lodge

Green Bay Lodge is a boutique waterfront resort ...

322 Cosby Subdivision Road
Mindemoya, ON

Cedar Village & Marina

Cedar Village & Marina, the heart of the ...

RR #2
Alban, ON

Big Moose Camp Resort

Big Moose Camp is a family owned and operated ...

581 Big Moose Road
Corbeil, ON

North River Outfitters

North River Outfitters offers fully guided ...

9083 Hwy 63
Redbridge, ON

Standing Pines Lodge

Our off-grid cabins are located 36 km from River ...

Hwy 805
River Valley, ON

Dionne Quints Heritage Board

On May 28, 1934, five identical girls were born ...

181 Oak St W
North Bay, ON

Killarney Mountain Lodge and Conference Centre

As the sun sets, the warm glow of pink granite ...

3 Commissioner Street
Killarney, ON

Otter Pointe Resort

Are you seeking a memorable and relaxing ...

8863 Highway 17 East
Calvin, ON

WildExodus Adventures

WildExodus is a hospitality and premier outdoor ...

7001 Dalton Road
Wawaitin Falls, ON

Saenchiur Flechey Resort

Peaceful, charming, and set against the backdrop ...

513 Lemieux Road
Monetville, ON

Choose Your Own Adventure

There are a few options to choose from when it comes to deciding where to stay on your ice-fishing adventure. From classic ice huts to luxurious ice bungalows, you’ll find experiences below that will fit your preferences. Whether it’s a friend weekend, a couples getaway, or a family vacation–ice fishing is all about the memories you make on the ice–and about the killer fish you’ll find in our northern lakes.

Huts and bungalows: What to expect

Huts and bungalows eliminate the uncomfortable winter edge and provide you with an enjoyable, camp-like experience. Bungalows can accommodate 4—8 people for a comfortable overnight experience that include heat, lighting, stove tops or BBQ’s, sleeping arrangements and even heated washrooms! You can’t get a much better environment for fishing—these accommodations are more of a luxury than most days on the water during the summer months!

    Lodges and camps: What to expect

    Take full advantage of our pristine lakes and rivers by enjoying a stay in one of our world-class lodges and camps. Lodges offer motel-style accommodations with day trips to a variety of inland lakes and day-use huts.

    Here you’ll find comfortable accommodations with expert guides on staff who understand how to keep guests happy (and cozy) both while out on the lake, and back in the lodge.

    For more information on accommodation options, visit our places to stay page or call one of our great outfitters below today for an unforgettable experience on one of the excellent lakes within our vast (and chilly) region:

    Packages & Planning: What’s Included In An Ice-Fishing Package?

    What’s included in an ice fishing package, you wonder? The majority of these packages include meals, lodging and transport to and from your fishing destinations. Think of it as an all-inclusive resort but instead of a sunburn and a lukewarm buffet you’ll dine on freshly-caught pike and make memories over the orange glow of a campfire. There’s nothing like the feeling of relaxing with the ice under your feet and a smile on your face, knowing everything is taken care of–gear, meals, and where to sleep. Ice fishing packages include but are not limited to:

    • transportation
    • shelter (hut or bungalow)
    • drilled holes
    • fishing gear
    • heat source
    • bait
    • meals (Ask the lodge or outfitter about the American plan)
    • housekeeping (Ask the lodge or outfitter about the housekeeping plan)

    Our lakes and rivers have plentiful stocks and local experts who can point you in the right direction, no matter what species you’re after. They offer everything from housekeeping cabins to full American plans where every detail is taken care of. All that’s left for you to do is fish and relax. 

    Planning Ahead: What Should I Bring On An Ice-Fishing Trip?

    Depending on what sort of accommodations you choose, you’ll require different things. Call ahead to your lodge and double check what’s recommended. Here are some essential items to consider packing:

    • fishing license
    • warm clothing and quality boots
    • fishing gear (optional)
    • food and drink
    • chair
    • personal entertainment (cards, board games, etc.)
    • flashlight
    • sleeping bag, pillow and toiletries (overnight accommodations)

    And don’t fret if it’s the middle of February or March and you haven’t booked a trip yet! Last minute unplanned trips will still reward you with fish–just keep any eye on fishing seasons and restrictions before you travel to ensure a successful trip. There are so many easy ways to plan your escape! 

    What species are you after?

    FIND YOUR FISH IN NORTHEASTERN ONTARIO

    Our borders start on the rocky shorelines of Lake Huron. Follow the coast to the tributaries of the Great Lakes, or head north into the tens of thousands rivers and lakes in Northeastern Ontario.

    Lakes here range from mesotrophic to oligotrophic. The mesotrophic lakes offer lots of fun opportunities to fish natural structures for warm water species such as bass, walleye, muskie, and pike. And our oligotrophic lakes have deep, crystal clear waters perfect for all types of trout.

    Some lakes have the best of both worlds and while you’re here you’ll have the opportunity to catch both natural and stocked lake and brook trout.

    New to Fishing? Want to Learn?

    TRY THE EXPERIENCE FISHING PROGRAM

    If this is your first season fishing, you may be hesitant to plan a fishing trip somewhere new, but Northeastern Ontario is a wonderful place to learn and we’ve been working with lodges and camps across the region to make the transition as easy as possible. You won’t regret making the trip when your skills, and catches, advance quickly.

    Experience Fishing is a Northern program that helps new anglers find lodges that offer gear and guidance for beginners. If you’re interested in learning about a specific species or you’d like to get lures, rods, and other equipment to help target some of our species, Experience Fishing lodges offer packages to suit all levels.

    Experience Fishing Logo

    Resources and Regulations

    FIND OUT MORE ABOUT FISHING IN NORTHEASTERN ONTARIO

    Before heading anywhere new, every good angler should check the region’s rules and regulations. It’s important to respect the seasonality of species to make sure you have the best vacation possible.

    You also need to make sure you have the proper fishing license for the type of fishing you’re doing.