Top-Rated Ice Fishing on Lake Ontario, NY

Ice Fishing Adventures on Lake Ontario

When Lake Ontario locks up for winter, that's when the real fishing action begins. Over The Rail Sportfishing has been running top-rated ice fishing trips out here for years, and let me tell you – there's nothing quite like pulling a fat walleye through a hole in the ice while staying warm in our heated shanties. We're talking about some of the best ice fishing in New York, with Lake Ontario serving up everything from chunky yellow perch to trophy lake trout. Whether you're a first-timer or you've been chasing fish through the ice for decades, we've got the spots, the gear, and the know-how to put you on fish.

What to Expect on the Ice

Here's the deal – we keep things simple so you can focus on catching fish. You show up at 6:00 AM (yeah, it's early, but that's when they bite), and we handle everything else. All your rods, reels, tackle, bait, and even your fishing license are covered. No need to drag your own gear across the ice or worry about what lures to bring. Our heated shanties are game-changers too – you can actually feel your fingers while you're jigging, which makes a huge difference when you're out there for 6 to 8 hours. We take up to 3 people per trip, so it's intimate enough that everyone gets personalized attention. Ice conditions change constantly on Lake Ontario, so we're always scouting new spots and adjusting our locations based on where the fish are holding and where the ice is safest. Some days we're targeting shallow bays for perch and crappie, other days we're drilling holes over deeper structure for lake trout and walleye.

Gear & Ice Techniques

Ice fishing on Lake Ontario isn't just dropping a line and hoping for the best – there's real technique involved. We use quality ice rods with sensitive tips so you can feel even the lightest bite, paired with smooth reels that won't freeze up when temperatures drop. Our tackle boxes are loaded with proven producers: small jigs tipped with minnows for perch and crappie, larger spoons and swimbaits for pike and lake trout, and everything in between for walleye. The key is matching your presentation to what the fish want that day, and ice conditions play a huge role in fish behavior. When it's a bluebird day with high pressure, we might need to downsize our offerings and fish more subtly. On overcast days with falling pressure, the fish often get more aggressive and we can use bigger, flashier baits. Our fish finders help us locate schools and structure, but reading the ice and understanding how fish move underneath it – that's where experience really pays off.

Species You'll Want to Hook

American Yellow Perch are the bread and butter of Lake Ontario ice fishing, and for good reason. These bright golden beauties school up tight in winter, so when you find them, you usually find a bunch. They average 8-12 inches here, with some pushing 14 inches if you're lucky. Perch are aggressive feeders through the ice and provide steady action – perfect for keeping kids or first-timers engaged. Plus, they're fantastic eating, with sweet, flaky white meat that's hard to beat.

Crappie fishing really heats up mid-winter when these slab-sided panfish gather around structure. Lake Ontario's crappie run bigger than most lakes, with fish pushing 12-15 inches not uncommon. They're finicky biters though – one minute they're crushing everything you drop down, the next minute they'll ignore the same bait. That's what makes them so addictive to target. When you dial in their pattern, you can have some absolutely epic days.

Walleye are the crown jewel of our ice fishing trips. These golden-eyed predators are built for low-light hunting, making early morning and late afternoon prime time. Lake Ontario produces walleye in the 18-25 inch range regularly, with bigger fish always possible. They're notorious for subtle bites – sometimes just a slight weight on your line – but when you set the hook on a big walleye, that head-shaking fight through the ice gets your blood pumping every time.

Northern Pike add serious excitement to any ice fishing trip. These toothy predators patrol the edges of weed beds and drop-offs, ready to crush anything that looks like an easy meal. Lake Ontario pike commonly run 24-30 inches, with fish over 36 inches caught every season. When a pike hits, there's no mistaking it – they'll nearly rip the rod out of your hands. The fight is explosive, with runs and jumps that'll test your gear and your nerves.

Lake Trout are the ultimate prize fish when ice fishing Lake Ontario. These deep-water natives can live for decades and grow massive – we're talking fish that can push 20-30 pounds or more. They're typically found in deeper water, often 40-80 feet down, so we use heavier tackle and bigger baits. Lake trout have incredible stamina, so landing one is a real accomplishment. Their pink-orange meat is rich and flavorful, making them a favorite among anglers who like to keep a fish for dinner.

Time to Book Your Spot

Look, ice fishing on Lake Ontario isn't just about catching fish – though we do plenty of that. It's about getting outside during the quiet season, experiencing the lake in a completely different way, and maybe learning a few new techniques along the way. Our full-day trips run sunrise to sunset for $500, giving you maximum time on the ice when fish are most active. If you can't commit to the full day, our 6-hour trips at $300 still give you plenty of fishing time and a real shot at quality fish. Ice season is short and unpredictable, so when conditions line up, you want to be ready to go. We're constantly monitoring ice thickness and fish reports