5.0(4 Reviews)Lake Ontario Ice Fishing Adventures
5.0(4 reviews)
Private Trip
Lakes/Reservoirs/Ponds Fishing
Guided ice fishing trips targeting perch, trout, and walleyeAll gear, heated shanty, and fishing license includedHalfday and fullday options available from sunrise
When winter transforms Lake Ontario into a frozen fishing paradise, Over The Rail Sportfishing opens up a world-class ice fishing experience that keeps anglers coming back year after year. Captain Justin and his team know exactly where to punch holes through the ice to find hungry walleye, jumbo perch, and aggressive northern pike. With heated shanties keeping you comfortable even when temperatures drop to brutal lows, you'll spend your day focused on what matters most – putting fish on ice. Whether you're a first-timer curious about hard water fishing or a seasoned angler looking to expand your winter game, this top-rated Lake Ontario ice fishing trip delivers the goods.
Your day starts early at 6:00 AM when the bite is typically at its best. Captain Justin provides everything you need – modern ice fishing rods, tackle boxes loaded with proven lures, fresh bait, and even your fishing license. The heated shanty becomes your basecamp for the day, offering a warm refuge where you can thaw your hands between hooksets. You'll have your choice of a 6-hour half-day adventure for $300 or go all-in with the full sunrise-to-sunset experience for $500. Ice conditions change constantly throughout the season, so the captain scouts multiple locations to find the most productive spots. Some days you might be targeting suspended crappie in 30 feet of water, while other trips focus on walleye hugging bottom structure. The beauty of Lake Ontario ice fishing lies in its variety – you never know which species will be the star of the show.
Ice fishing on Lake Ontario requires different tactics than summer angling, and Captain Justin breaks down the techniques that consistently produce fish. You'll learn to work small jigs with subtle movements that trigger strikes from cold-water fish. The captain brings an arsenal of proven baits including live minnows, wax worms, and artificial lures that mimic the lake's abundant forage. Modern fish finders help locate schools and show you exactly what's happening below the ice. The rods are shorter and more sensitive than typical fishing gear, designed to detect the light bites that characterize winter fishing. When a fish hits, the fight feels completely different through the ice – there's nowhere for them to run, making every battle intense and direct. The heated shanty setup allows you to fish comfortably even during those bone-chilling days when the thermometer reads well below zero.
"Very knowledgeable and friendly guide. He explained everything we wanted to know about ice fishing. Answered all questions that we could think of and provided an exceptional experience for all our fishing levels. Modern fishing equipment and warm tent that kept us happy throughout the day even though It was -15 degrees. Can't wait to go on his charter boat in the summer." - Daniel Smith
"My Grandson and I had a wonderful ice fishing trip with Captain Justin. We caught walleye and perch. Captain Justin is great at educating young anglers and, even after almost 60 years of fishing myself, I learn new and useful information every time that makes me a better fisherman." - Mark Robertson
American Yellow Perch are the bread and butter of Lake Ontario ice fishing, and these golden beauties often travel in schools that can make for fast action once you locate them. Winter perch typically run 8-12 inches with some jumbo specimens pushing 14 inches or more. They're aggressive feeders even in cold water, making them perfect targets for beginning ice anglers. Perch have excellent table fare with sweet, flaky white meat that many consider the best eating fish in the lake. They respond well to small jigs tipped with wax worms or minnow heads, and once you find a school, you can often fill your limit quickly.
Walleye are the crown jewel of Lake Ontario winter fishing, with these bronze-backed predators providing both challenging angling and outstanding eating. Winter walleye range from keeper-sized 15-inchers up to trophy fish exceeding 28 inches and 8 pounds. They're most active during low-light periods, making early morning and late afternoon prime time for targeting them. Walleye have excellent eyesight that helps them hunt in the dim light under ice, but this also makes them more selective about bait presentation. When you hook into a good walleye through the ice, they make powerful runs that test your drag system and keep your adrenaline pumping.
Northern Pike bring explosive action to Lake Ontario ice fishing adventures, with these toothy predators ambushing baits with aggressive strikes that often come without warning. Pike range from scrappy 20-inch fish up to true giants exceeding 40 inches and 15 pounds. They prefer areas with structure like weed edges or drop-offs where they can ambush prey. Pike are incredibly strong fighters that make long runs and aerial displays even through the ice hole. Their razor-sharp teeth require wire leaders, and they'll often hit larger baits that other species ignore. The sudden, violent strike of a big northern pike will get your heart racing every time.
Crappie offer some of the most consistent action during Lake Ontario ice fishing trips, with these slab-sided panfish often suspended at various depths throughout the water column. Winter crappie typically measure 9-12 inches with some true slabs reaching 14 inches or better. They school heavily during cold weather, so finding one usually means more are nearby. Crappie have paper-thin mouths that require a delicate touch when fighting them, making every fish a small victory. They respond well to tiny jigs and small minnows, and their sweet, mild flavor makes them a customer favorite for the dinner table.
Lake Trout represent the ultimate Lake Ontario ice fishing trophy, with these deep-water natives growing to impressive sizes in the lake's cold, clear waters. Lakers can range from 18-inch fish up to true giants exceeding 30 inches and 20 pounds
Perca FlavescensYellow perch are the bread and butter of ice fishing - reliable, tasty, and fun for all skill levels. These golden beauties with dark vertical stripes typically run 6-10 inches and travel in schools of dozens, sometimes hundreds. They love sandy or rocky bottoms with scattered weeds in 15-30 feet of water. Winter is actually peak season since they stay active and group up tight. What makes perch so popular is the consistent action and sweet, firm white meat that's perfect fried up. Kids especially love them because they bite readily and fight just enough to be fun. Pro tip: once you find a school, fish multiple rods at slightly different depths. Perch suspend at specific levels, and finding that magic zone can turn slow fishing into non-stop action fast.
Pomoxis NigromaculatusCrappie run 7-12 inches and about a pound, making them perfect panfish for the ice. These schooling fish love structure - fallen trees, weed edges, and drop-offs where they suspend at various depths. Winter is prime time since they stay active under ice, often found 10-20 feet down. Both black and white crappie are in Ontario waters - blacks have irregular spots while whites show vertical bars. What makes them special is the steady action once you locate a school, plus they're hands-down some of the best eating fish we target. The white, flaky meat is mild and sweet. My tip: when you catch one, work that exact depth thoroughly. Crappie school tight, so where there's one, there's usually a dozen more waiting.
Salvelinus NamaycushLake trout are the deep-water giants of Ontario, commonly hitting 15-25 pounds with some real monsters pushing 40-plus. These cold-water natives cruise the basin depths, usually 60-120 feet down, following baitfish schools. Winter is prime time since you can access deeper water through the ice and they're more active in cold temperatures. What draws anglers is the combination of size, fight, and challenge - these aren't easy fish to locate or land. They pull steady and deep with surprising power. The meat is rich and oily, great smoked or grilled. My secret: use heavy jigs with erratic vertical movements to mimic dying cisco or alewives. Lake trout often hit on the drop, so watch your line closely and be ready to set the hook on any subtle tick or pause.
Esox LuciusPike are the lake's apex predator, averaging 24-36 inches with razor-sharp teeth and an attitude to match. They patrol shallow bays, weed edges, and drop-offs, ambushing anything that moves. Winter brings them to deeper structure, but they're still aggressive hunters. What makes pike trips exciting is their explosive strikes and bulldogging fights - they'll peel drag and test your nerves. These fish hit hard and fast, no subtle bites here. While not everyone keeps them for the table, they're pure adrenaline on ice. The trick with pike is using quick, erratic jigging motions to trigger that predator instinct. When you feel that unmistakable thump, set the hook immediately - they're notorious for short strikes and stolen baits.
Sander VitreusWalleye are the gold standard for eating and fighting, typically running 15-25 inches with those big silver eyes that help them hunt in low light. They hug bottom structure - rocky points, drop-offs, and weed lines in 15-40 feet of water. Winter fishing can be phenomenal since they stay active under ice and concentrate in predictable spots. What guests love most is the challenge of finding them and that incredible table fare - firm, white meat with zero fishy taste. These fish fight smart, not just hard, using their weight and those gill-rattling head shakes. Here's the key: fish right on bottom with subtle jigging motions. Walleye rarely chase lures up, so keep your bait in the strike zone where they're feeding.
5.0 out of 5.0Very knowledgeable and friendly guide. He explained everything we wanted to know about ice fishing. Answered all questions that we...
My Grandson and I had a wonderful ice fishing trip with Captain Justin. We caught walleye and perch. Captain Justin is great at ...
Very knowledgeable and friendly guide. He explained everything we wanted to know about ice fishing. Answered all questions that we...
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