Ontario Ice Fishing | Up to 4 Anglers
When the lakes freeze solid and the crowds head south, that's when the real fishing begins. Mo and his sons know these Ontario and Quebec waters like the back of their hands, and they're ready to show you why winter fishing up here is something special. You'll be drilling holes through thick ice on some of the most productive waters in the region - Lake Abitibi, Dagenais River, Duparquet River, La Reine River, La Sarre River, and Low Bush River. This isn't your backyard pond fishing. These are big waters that hold serious fish, and when you find them under the ice, they're hungry and aggressive.
What to Expect on the Water
This is a proper multi-day adventure - three days and two nights of hard-water fishing with lodging included for your group. Mo's operation handles up to 8 people total, so you can bring the whole crew or join other serious anglers looking to hook into some quality fish. The beauty of fishing with locals like Mo is they know exactly where to set up when conditions change. One day you might be pulling walleye through the ice on Lake Abitibi, the next you could be chasing northern pike in the shallows of the Duparquet River. These guys read the ice, the weather, and the fish behavior like a book. You're not just getting access to top-rated fishing spots - you're getting decades of knowledge passed down through a family that lives and breathes these waters year-round.
Ice Fishing Setup & Gear
Ice fishing here means serious preparation and the right approach. Mo and the crew come equipped with quality augers to punch through ice that can be several feet thick. They know the productive depths and structures on each body of water, so you're not wasting time guessing where fish might be holding. The tackle setup varies depending on what you're targeting - light jigs and small minnows work magic on those jumbo yellow perch, while bigger spoons and tip-ups loaded with suckers or shiners are the ticket for northern pike and walleye. Brook trout require a more finesse approach with tiny presentations, but when you find a school under the ice, the action can be non-stop. The guides handle the hole placement and initial setup, but they'll teach you to read your electronics and adjust your presentation based on what the fish are telling you.
Target Species
Walleye are the bread and butter of this fishery, and for good reason. These golden beauties stack up in deeper holes during winter, often 15 to 25 feet down, and when you find a school, you can fill your limit fast. The walleye here average 2 to 4 pounds, with plenty of bigger fish mixed in. They hit hard through the ice - that distinctive walleye thump on your rod tip - and fight like demons in the cold water. Peak bite times are early morning and late afternoon, but Mo knows the spots where you can catch them all day when conditions are right.
Northern pike turn into absolute monsters under the ice. These ambush predators lurk in the shallower bays and weed edges, waiting to crush anything that moves. You'll be fishing with bigger presentations - large spoons, dead baits on tip-ups, or even small jigs that mimic struggling baitfish. Pike through the ice average 24 to 30 inches, but these waters produce fish over 40 inches for anglers who put in the time. The strike is explosive, and the fight in cold water is something you won't forget.
Brown trout in this region are chrome-bright winter fighters that test your tackle and patience. They're typically found in deeper, cleaner water and require lighter tackle and subtle presentations. Most browns here run 12 to 18 inches, but the fishing pressure is minimal in winter, so you're targeting fish that haven't seen many lures. They're spooky and selective, but when you dial in the right depth and presentation, these trout provide some of the most technical and rewarding fishing of the trip.
American Yellow Perch might be the most fun you'll have all trip. When you find a school of jumbo perch - and Mo knows where they school up each winter - it's game on. These fish run 10 to 13 inches, with some true slabs pushing 14 inches and over a pound. They're aggressive, they travel in big schools, and they taste better than anything else swimming under the ice. Small jigs tipped with minnow heads or spikes work perfectly, and the action can be so fast you'll need two rods to keep up.
Time to Book Your Spot
This is customer-favorite territory for serious ice anglers, and spots with Mo fill up fast each winter. You're getting world-class access to multiple productive waters, local expertise that money can't buy, and the kind of fishing stories that last a lifetime. The combination of quality fish, proven guides, and some of the best ice fishing country in Ontario and Quebec makes this a best trip choice for anyone serious about hard-water angling. Don't wait on this one - winter fishing this good doesn't stay secret for long, and Mo's calendar fills up with repeat customers who know what they're getting into up here.