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. When it comes to hard-water fishing, there are several places where you can stay and enjoy our fantastic winter fishing. In this article, we'll discuss what you can catch and briefly highlight some places to stay. 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!

Ice fishing in Northwestern Ontario.

What you can catch through the ice

One of the fun things about ice fishing in Ontario's Sunset Country is catching 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 ice-fishing catch. These beautiful fish are especially tasty when caught from ice-cold water. A winter shore lunch is a real treat, and with all the fixings, it's an experience you will remember. Most people jig for minnows, but these fish will undoubtedly strike artificial baits too. The season closes on April 14th, so you can catch them all winter.

Northern Pike: Nothing's quite like pulling a giant pike through an eight- or even a 10-inch hole in the ice, but we do it every winter here in Sunset Country. Pike are always cooperative, and the smaller fish taste better 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 in winter, and with the sheer number of trout lakes in Sunset Country, your chances of landing a whopper are 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: Black crappie are some of the tastiest fish and love to bite in the winter. These fish can weigh close to 3 pounds, and their delectable taste makes them a favourite to catch! This yummy panfish is open year-round.

Black crappie are a taste sensation

Bass: While bass aren't usually the main species people target, you can still catch them even if you are not fishing for them. They fight as they do in the summer, so be prepared! The season is open year-round.

Smallmout bass caught ice fishing in Sunset Country Ontario

Yellow Perch: Perch are another species best eaten in winter, 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 freshwater lobsters, though they certainly don't look the part. This species is very active in winter, feeding on the lake bottom. It is open throughout the winter.

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

Whitefish: You can target whitefish 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.