Places to go Ice Fishing in Sunset Country

Go Ice Fishing in Ontario's Sunset Country!

With winter's arrival and ice on area lakes, avid anglers are thinking about ice fishing. Well, when it comes to hard water fishing, there are several places you can stay and enjoy our fantastic fishing during the winter months. In this article, we'll discuss what you can catch and give a brief overview of some of the places you can stay at. Winter fishing is a lot of fun, and after a day on the ice, you'll enjoy relaxing in your comfortable cabin under the stars in Sunset Country. Big fish and big fun are what it's all about!

What you can catch through the ice

One of the fun things about ice fishing in Ontario's Sunset Country is that you can catch multiple species through the ice, sometimes all on the same lake! Here's a brief round-up of what's available:

Walleye: Virtually everyone's preferred fish to catch while ice fishing is walleye. These beautiful fish are especially tasty when caught out of the ice-cold water. A winter shore lunch is a real treat, and when served with all the fixings, well, that's an experience you will remember. Jigging with a minnow is what most people do, although these fish will undoubtedly smack artificial baits as well. The season closes on April 14th, so you can catch them all winter.

Northern Pike: There's nothing quite like pulling a giant pike through an eight or even a 10-inch hole in the ice, but it's done every winter here in Sunset Country. Pike are always cooperative, and the smaller fish have a taste sensation when caught out of cold water. Just remember to remove that y-bone! The season is open all year.

Lake Trout: Many anglers target lake trout during the winter, and with the sheer number of trout lakes in Sunset Country, your chance of getting a whopper is good. If a big lake trout bites, be prepared for an epic fight, as these fish are all business. The season opens from January 1st through to the end of winter.

Black Crappie: The black crappie is one of the tastiest fish anywhere and loves to bite during the winter. These fish can weigh close to 3 pounds, and with a delectable taste, you'll love catching them! The season is open all year for this yummy panfish.

Black crappie are a taste sensation

Bass: While not usually the main species people target, you can catch bass even if you are not fishing for them. They fight the same as in the summer, so be prepared! The season is open throughout the winter months.

Smallmout bass caught ice fishing in Sunset Country Ontario

Yellow Perch: Perch are another species best eaten during the winter months when their meat is firm and fresh. These fish are on many lakes in the region, so your chance of catching one is good. The season is open all year for yellow perch.

Catching perch through the ice on Lake of the Woods, Ontario, Canada

Eelpout/Burbot: Some folks consider these to be freshwater lobsters, although they certainly don't look the part. This species is very active in the winter, feeding on the bottom of the lake bed. It is open throughout the winter.

Catch burbot - also called eelpout and ling, through the ice in Sunset Country, Ontario, Canada.

Whitefish: Whitefish is a target species through the ice, and you may catch a few while fishing for lake trout. These fish can grow big up here, and they taste best when smoked.

Big whitefish caught ice fishing in Ontario's Sunset Country, Canada.