Ontario Ice Fishing
Two options: fully guided Premier, or semi-guided with your own portable fish house. Either way, winter on Crow Lake and Lake of the Woods is something else.
Ice package pricing.
All packages include the night of arrival and day of departure. Dress warm — we'll handle the rest.
Winter, done two ways.
Premier Ice Fishing Package — The complete winter getaway. Fully guided and fully loaded. Your guide, all fishing gear, sled, lodging, and meals are taken care of. Just dress warm and get ready to fish.
Semi-Guided Ice Fishing Package — Fish the ice with semi-guided support from a comfortable modern cabin. Includes a 2-man portable fishing house with propane heater to keep you warm all day, plus a flasher to help you find the fish.
Target giant lake trout in shallow water, quick snowmobile access to Lake of the Woods for walleye, perch, pike and crappies, and nearby OFSC trail riding if you want to turn it into a full winter trip.
What makes ice fishing here different from most Ontario ice fishing packages is the depth. Crow Lake holds lake trout in genuinely shallow water through the hard-water season, so you are not burning the morning running miles to deep structure. Step out of the cabin, get set up, and fish. When you want variety, the sled run to Lake of the Woods opens up walleye, jumbo perch, pike and some of the best black crappie fishing in Sunset Country.
Both packages run three nights and two days of fishing, and both include lodging and meals. The difference is simply how much you want handled for you.
What's included.
Premier: Full Guide Service
Professional guide, all fishing gear, sled included. Lodging and all meals.
Semi-Guided: Modern Cabin
Comfortable housekeeping cabin with full amenities.
Propane Fish House
2-man portable fishing house with propane heater (Semi-Guided package).
Flasher Included
One flasher per fish house — find the bite fast.
Sled Access
Quick sled access to Lake of the Woods; OFSC trails nearby for ride days.
Shallow-Water Lake Trout
Target giant lake trout in shallow water with ice gear — a unique regional bite.
Ontario ice fishing season dates.
Muskie Bay sits in Ontario's Fisheries Management Zone 5. These are the Zone 5 seasons that matter for a winter trip. Always confirm current regulations with the Ontario Ministry before you travel, since dates and limits can change year to year. For a fuller walk-through, read our guide to planning an Ontario ice fishing trip.
That walleye window is worth understanding. Zone 5 walleye reopens on January 1 and runs through April 14, which means a winter trip here is one of the few times you can target walleye and lake trout in the same week. Pike and crappie stay open year round, so there is never a dead day.
Winter target species.
What a day on the ice looks like.
Breakfast At The Lodge
Hot breakfast before you head out. On the Premier package your guide sorts gear and holes while you eat.
Short Run To The Spot
Crow Lake trout sit shallow, so the run is minutes, not miles. Sled access to Lake of the Woods when you want walleye and crappie.
Warm All Day
Propane-heated fish house with a flasher on the Semi-Guided package. Fish in a sweatshirt while it howls outside.
Dinner Back At The Lodge
Come off the ice to a hot meal, the sauna and the patio. Every package includes all meals.
Ride Days
OFSC trails run nearby. Plenty of groups mix two days of fishing with a day of sledding.
Modern Cabins
Heated housekeeping cabins with full amenities, satellite TV and Wi-Fi. This is not a rough winter camp.
Ontario ice fishing, answered.
When is the best time for ice fishing in Ontario?
On Crow Lake the reliable window runs from roughly mid January through mid March, with late January and February the most consistent. Walleye reopens in Zone 5 on January 1 and lake trout is open through the winter, so a February trip gives you the widest mix of species. Book early: the prime February weekends go first.
What is included in your ice fishing packages?
Both packages are three nights and two days of fishing with lodging and all meals included. The Premier Ice Fishing package at $1,100 USD per person adds a professional guide, all fishing gear and sled use. The Semi-Guided Ice Fishing package at $800 USD per person puts you in a modern housekeeping cabin with a two-man portable fish house, propane heater and a flasher. Full pricing is on our rates page.
Do I need to bring my own ice fishing gear?
On the Premier package, no. Rods, tackle and electronics are provided. On the Semi-Guided package the fish house, heater and flasher are included, and most guests bring their own rods and favourite jigs. Bring proper layers, insulated boots and ice cleats either way.
Can you really catch lake trout in shallow water here?
Yes, and it is the main reason anglers come back. Crow Lake holds lake trout shallow through the hard-water season, which makes them reachable without long runs and deep-water gear. It is a genuinely different experience from ice fishing trout on the big deep lakes.
Do I need an Ontario fishing licence for ice fishing?
Yes. Non-resident anglers need a valid Ontario fishing licence and an Outdoors Card. You can buy both online before you travel. We will send you the specifics when you book, and our guest info page covers licensing, border crossing and what to bring.
How do I get to Muskie Bay in winter?
We are a drive-to resort at 2740 Muskie Bay Road in Nestor Falls, Ontario, so there is no floatplane and no weight limits on your gear. Most guests cross at International Falls and Fort Frances and drive up Highway 71. Winter road maintenance is good. See our contact page for directions.