Ontario is spoiled with wintertime opportunities for lake trout, stretching from the northwest all the way to the east. Ice fishing offers some of the best action for anglers eager to put a serious bend in their short rods. Known for their thrilling chases and powerful runs, lakers deliver the ultimate bang for your buck beneath the ice.
With hundreds of lake trout lakes scattered across the province, here are three top picks guaranteed to provide a memorable wintertime adventure.
Minnitaki is a large, deep lake with many islands, bays, and underwater structure with unlimited lake trout opportunities. Not known as a numbers lake, Minnitaki instead offers a true chance at trophy lakers. Nearby Big Vermilion Lake offers more trout action, but fewer trophy-class fish.
Jigging in 30 to 60 feet of water with a variety of soft plastic baits, spoons, lipless crankbaits and jigging Rapalas will bring lakers topside. The Bondy mini wobbler produces big results on Minnitaki.
Surface area: 46,500 acres
Getting there: Drive to or fly to Sioux Lookout
Outfitter: Winoga Lodge
www.winoga.com
Accommodations: Winoga Lodge offers fully equipped cabins at its main Lodge in Sioux Lookout. Minnitaki Lake is a 10-minute snowmobile ride away. Winoga also operates a remote outpost on Minnitaki.
Meal plan: No
Guides: Yes
On-ice transport: Snowmobile rentals are available, or bring your own.
Record laker: 43″
Cost: $100 per person per night. Call for details.
Carved out of the Canadian Shield, massive Lake Temagami is an ice fishing mecca. Deep basins and more than 1,250 islands offer endless lake trout habitat and fishing structure. With both good numbers and trophy class lake trout, Temagami is well suited for both novice and experienced lake trout anglers. Top baits include lipless cranks, tube jigs, jigs tipped with five- to six-inch plastics and Berkeley’s Vibrato (28g size, emerald shiner colour). Big Bondy jigging baits also shine. Fishing as shallow as 30 feet in the evenings can produce big results as large lakers move shallower to feed on burbot.
Surface area: 51,520 acres
Outfitter: Loon Lodge
www.loonlodge.com
Accommodations: Cabins available at the main lodge. Loon Lodge also operates six ice bungalows for stays on the ice. Each bungalow accommodates up to 4 people with beds, kitchens and separate outhouse facilities.
Other species: Walleye, whitefish, burbot
Record laker: 47″
Cost: Starting at $125 per person. Two nights minimum. Call for more details.
Getting there: Drive to Temagami (80 km north of North Bay). Lodge provides transport from there
Meal plan: Yes
Guides: Yes
On-ice transport: Transportation to huts is provided. Bring your own snowmobile or tracked ATV to explore on your own.
While small in size, Clearwater West and White Otter Lakes are known for producing massive lake trout. The gin-clear water and pristine surroundings offer a unique fishing experience. Top baits are tube jigs (with or without minnows), Jigging Rapalas, spoons, and blade baits. Colours like white, red, silver, and blue will garner attention from lake trout.
There are several other nearby lakes accessible for ice fishing.
Surface area: 9,025 acres
Outfitter: Browns’ Clearwater West Lodge
www.brownsclearwaterlodge.com
Other species: Walleye, pike, whitefish, splake
Record laker: 40 lb, unknown length
Getting there: Drive 200km
West of Thunder Bay Accommodations: Stay at the main lodge, or remote outpost cabins.
Cost: Remote, snowmobile-to rustic outpost cabins are $90 a night, per person. Call for more details.
Meal plan: No
Guides: Yes
On-ice transport: Snowmobile rentals are available, or bring your own.
Originally published in the Jan.-Feb. 2026 issue of Ontario Out of Doors
