Visit These Top 6 North American Ice Fishing Destinations

Whether you want to catch walleye from an ice hut on Lake of the Woods or focus on targeting salmon through the ice on Lake Champlain, the top North American ice fishing destinations offer a variety of species and winter amenities. Learn about some of the best hardwater destinations to visit this winter and why anglers return to these locations year after year.

1. Lake of the Woods, Minnesota

Lake of the Woods covers 951,337-acres on the Minnesota-Canada border, offers some of the best ice fishing in North America due to its populations of walleye, northern pike, perch, and sauger. Ice fishing season on Lake of the Woods lasts from early December until late March. Many local resorts offer heated ice huts and sleeper shacks, making this destination a popular choice for multi-day fishing trips and as a beginner-friendly ice fishing destination.

2. Lake Simcoe, Ontario

Located about 40 miles from Toronto, Lake Simcoe is Ontario’s fourth largest lake (183,800 acres) and is often referred to as the “Ice Fishing Capital of Canada.” Popular fish species for ice fishing on Lake Simcoe are perch, lake trout, whitefish, and pike. Amenities range from ice fishing equipment rentals to heated ice fishing huts for day use or overnight bungalows that can fit from two to eight people. If you want to take a family ice fishing trip without having to travel out into the wilderness, Lake Simcoe is a North American destination worth visiting this winter.

3. Devil’s Lake, North Dakota

Devil’s Lake offers some of the most consistent ice fishing conditions in North America. This north-central North Dakota destination attracts anglers from all over the country who want to target perch, pike, and walleye through the ice. The population of perch in Devil’s Lake has grown significantly in recent years, meaning there are good opportunities to reel in a trophy-sized yellow perch. You can book professionally guided ice fishing trips on Devil’s Lake or research a few of the lodges that provide ice fishing packages.

4. Lake Winnipeg, Manitoba

Lake Winnipeg, particularly the south basin area near Gimli and Hecla Island, is famous for its massive greenback walleye. The excitement of catching one of these beautiful, trophy walleye makes Lake Winnipeg one of the top North American ice fishing destinations. The winter conditions on this large lake (spanning 9,465 square miles) can be challenging though due to its sheer size. For this reason, booking a trip with an experienced guide or outfitter is highly recommended for navigation and ice fishing safety.

5. Moosehead Lake, Maine

When it comes to eastern United States ice fishing opportunities, Moosehead Lake in Northwestern Maine is among the top destinations due to its healthy lake trout, brook trout, and salmon populations. You can research Moosehead Lake ice fishing guides or hire a guide through lodging properties like Wilsons on Moosehead Lake or Moose Mountain Inn. In fact, the state of Maine has a free fishing weekend coming up on February 15-16, 2025 – making it the perfect time to give ice fishing a try.

6. Lake Champlain, Vermont/New York

Straddling the Vermont and New York border, Lake Champlain is one of the North American ice fishing destinations where you can catch a wide variety of species including perch, northern pike, lake trout, and salmon. Since the lake covers close to 490 square miles, it’s best to hire an ice fishing guide or attend a clinic on ice fishing before you go out on your own. For those who want to learn the basics of ice fishing on Lake Champlain, the Fish and Wildlife Department Vermont hosts an annual ice fishing festival at Knight Point State Park that is free and open to the public.

Now that you know about some of the destinations with the best ice fishing in North America, pick one and start planning a winter trip with your family or friends.