Ice fishing in northern Ontario: A lifetime on the ice
Northern Ontario winters have a way of shaping you—teaching you patience, resilience, and a deep appreciation for the quiet magic that settles over frozen lakes. For me, ice fishing isn’t just a seasonal activity; it’s part of who I am. I’ve been out on the ice since I was a youngster, bundled up in oversized winter gear, following my dad across the lake as our snowmobiles carved fresh tracks through deep drifts. Those early days built memories I still carry every time I punch a new hole through hard February ice.
Some people look at winter and see cold. I see possibilities. I see sunrises glowing pink across a lake that’s frozen solid. I see the soft shimmer of snow crystals swirling in a beam of headlamp light. I see moments of laughter, stories shared over steaming thermoses, and the peaceful stillness you only find when the world is blanketed in white.
Growing Up on the Hardwater
When I say we grew up ice fishing, I mean it literally. Day trips with my dad and my sister, Miranda and his friends made up a huge part of my childhood. We’d load the sleds and sleighs with augers, rods, minnows, a pack of snacks, mostly hotdogs, and the excitement only a kid can feel for spending a full day outdoors. Riding the snowmobiles across the frozen lakes was just as thrilling as catching fish—maybe even more exciting back then. The freedom of those rides, the roar of the engine, the sharp cold air biting your cheeks… that’s the stuff that sticks with you forever. I have a fond memories of myself, my sister and very old friend, Todd Rustan, owner of Fountain Tire in Dryden and Red Lake, Ontario, ice fishing often with our dads and chasing each other around on the sleds.
Now, years later, nothing has changed except the gear and the locations from Alberta to Quebec. The thrill is still the thrill. The cold is still the cold. And the fish—you still have to earn every single one.
A Northern Ontario Tradition
Up here, ice fishing isn’t a hobby, it’s a winter lifestyle. Families gather on the lakes as soon as the ice is safe. Friends make annual trips to favourite spots. Snowmobiles line shorelines like pickup trucks at a summer boat launch. And everyone—from kids just learning to tie a hook to seasoned anglers chasing trophy walleye—carries their own stories from the ice.
Ice fishing and snowmobiling go hand in hand in Northern Ontario. Some days you spend more time riding than fishing, and that’s okay. Sometimes the best memories come from the trips between holes—the laughs, the frozen eyelashes, the moments where winter feels endless and beautiful all at once.
Passing Time, Making Memories
Even today, when I’m out on the ice producing television episodes or testing gear, I still feel the kid in me come alive. The one who used to stare down the fishing hole for what felt like hours. The one who asked a million questions. The one who pressed her mittens against her dad’s back while hanging tight on the snowmobile.
These winter pastimes shaped me. They made me fall in love with the outdoors, with exploration, with the challenge and reward of harvesting your own food. And they continue to remind me that some of the simplest activities bring the greatest joy.
So whether you’re an experienced angler or someone thinking of trying ice fishing for the first time, I encourage you to get out there. Drill a hole. Watch the snow fall. Breathe in the quiet. You’ll understand why Northern Ontario winters are something special.
And now I’m curious—what are your favourite winter pastimes?
On-the-Ice Walleye Recipe: Fire-Grilled Shore Lunch
Nothing tastes better than walleye cooked fresh on the ice. Here’s a simple recipe you can make over an open fire right beside your fishing hole:
Ingredients
- Fresh walleye fillets
- 2 tbsp butter or oil
- Salt & pepper
- A pinch of garlic powder
- A pinch of paprika
- Lemon wedges
- Optional: a handful of crushed plain chips or crackers for crunch
Instructions
- Heat a cast-iron pan over your fire or portable cooker.
- Add butter or oil and let it melt completely.
- Lightly season the fillets with salt, pepper, garlic powder, and paprika.
- Place the fillets in the pan and cook 2–3 minutes per side until golden and flaky.
- For extra crunch, sprinkle crushed chips or crackers on top during the last minute of cooking.
- Finish with a squeeze of lemon.
Simple, fast, and perfect after a cold day on the ice.
