Ontario Ice Fishing Packages
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.
What a Lake of the Woods ice fishing trip costs.
Muskie Bay sits on Crow Lake with sled access across to Lake of the Woods, so one package covers both: shallow lake trout on Crow Lake, and walleye, perch, pike and crappie on Lake of the Woods. Prices are per person in US dollars for three nights and two days of fishing, with lodging and all meals included.
Two anglers, semi-guided. $800 per person, so $1,600 for the pair. Ontario HST of 13% adds $208, for a total of $1,808.
Two anglers, premier guided. $1,100 per person, so $2,200 for the pair, with the guide, gear and sled handled. HST adds $286, for a total of $2,486.
A $200 per person deposit holds your dates, the balance is due at check in, and every reservation needs at least two people. There is a 3% charge on Visa and MasterCard. Your Ontario fishing licence is separate; our guide to Ontario fishing licences for non-residents explains which one to buy. Every package and term is on the rates page.
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.
Extreme Ice Fishing Excursions.
We primarily offer pop-up shelters for our guests, but we also have a few permanent ice houses available. What truly sets us apart from other resorts is the opportunity we provide to fish remote lakes, even in the heart of winter.
Our Extreme Ice Fishing Excursions take you deep into the wilderness, reaching secluded lakes accessible only by snowmobile. It’s an unforgettable adventure where you can target a wide variety of species, including lake trout, walleye, perch, crappie, northern pike, and bass.
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.
Most of our winter lake trout come from Crow Lake, a deep, cold lake right outside the cabins.
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.
The ice season, month by month.
Ice comes and goes with the weather, so call Paul at 807-271-3015 for current conditions before you drive.
December
Booking month. Winter trips are booked from November through January, and the prime February weekends go first. Safe ice on Crow Lake usually arrives in January, so December is for planning.
January
Walleye and lake trout both open on January 1 in Zone 5. Safe ice on Crow Lake usually arrives in early to mid January.
February
The most reliable month. Ice is at its most consistent, and you can fish lake trout on Crow Lake and walleye, perch, pike and crappie on Lake of the Woods in the same trip.
March
Ice usually holds through mid March. Walleye stays open until April 14 and pike, crappie and perch are open all year, so late season trips still have plenty to fish for.
Lake trout are closed on the main body of Lake of the Woods, so our winter trout fishing happens on Crow Lake. The sled run to Lake of the Woods is for walleye, perch, pike and crappie.
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, for anything longer than a 1-day licence, an Outdoors Card. You can buy both online before you travel. Our guide to Ontario fishing licences for non-residents explains which licence to buy, and our guest info page covers the 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.
How much does a Lake of the Woods ice fishing package cost?
Our packages cover Crow Lake and Lake of the Woods and run three nights and two days of fishing with lodging and all meals. Semi-Guided Ice Fishing is $800 USD per person and Premier Ice Fishing is $1,100 USD per person, plus 13% Ontario HST. A $200 per person deposit holds your dates.