Ice fishing events in Ontario for 2025
Wawa Ice Fishing Derby | James Smedley
Events range from serious competitions for avid anglers with generous cash payouts and prizes to tournaments designed for families. There are also live-release derbies where fish are entered at a central location and released back into the lake as well as traditional derbies where fish entered are retained by participants.
Some events assign pre-drilled holes within a designated area for a few hours while other derbies last for several days and are spread over multiple lakes with participants travelling by snowmobile, ATV, skis or snowshoe.
For avid anglers, it’s a great way to test their skills and attempt to translate their luck and skill into cash and prizes. For beginners and families, it’s a fun way to be introduced to ice fishing. All participants enjoy the camaraderie and celebration of the sport and the season.
Northwest Ontario
Lac Seul First Nations Ice Fishing Derby
The 17th annual Lac Seul Ice Fishing Derby is open to the first 250 anglers who pay the $300 entry fee for a chance to compete for a $30,000 top prize for the heaviest fish of any species. Ticket sales close on February 21, 2025, at 4:00 p.m.
The event runs from noon to 4:00 p.m. out of the community of Kejick Bay on giant Lac Seul.
Date: February 22, 2025
Location: Lac Seul
Cold as Ice Fishing Derby
Over 200 anglers are expected to compete for cash prizes that range from $50,000 for the heaviest fish down to $500 for the 10th heaviest.
Bring your own auger and drill your own fishing holes. Maximum number of holes is two. The cost per hole is $200.
The third annual Cold as Ice Fishing Derby runs from 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
Date: March 15, 2024
Location: English River
Northeastern Ontario
Mattagami Lake First Nations Annual Pike Ice Fishing Derby
Prizes range from $10,000 for the largest down to $2000 for the fourth-largest pike caught from Mattagami Lake during this one-day event. Registration for the Mattagami First Nation Annual Pike Ice Fishing Derby is $130 and includes a free dinner and a beer garden.
Date: February 22, 2025
Location: Mattagami Lake
KL Rotary Winter Fish Derby
The KL Rotary $60,000 Winter Fish Derby takes place on Otto Lake near Swastika from 8:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. and is followed by a social at Northern College gym featuring live music.
Anglers are given one ballot for every fish (species still to be confirmed) they catch and release alive. Five draws of $1000 are made for each species and catching one of ten tagged fish is worth $2500.
Date: March 1, 2025
Location: Otto Lake
Noelville Rod and Gun Annual Live Release Ice Fishing Derby
Participants spread out across the west arm of Lake and new this year, to all the lower French River. This third annual live release ice fishing event runs from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. with dinner and prize presentations to follow that evening at the club.
Date: January 18, 2025
Location: Noelville
Sault Ste. Marie and Algoma
Dubreuilville Magpie Winter Pike Derby
Thousands of dollars are in store for anglers catching big pike on the Magpie Reservoir from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
The Dubreuilville Magpie Winter Pike Derby awards $7000 for the largest pike with cash prizes tapering down to $1000 for the fifth largest pike. This annual event is run by the Dubreuilville Magpie Rod and Gun Club.
Date: February 22, 2025
Location: Mattagami First Nations
Date: March 8, 2025
Location: Dubreuilville
Date: March 15, 2025
Location: Hearst
Wawa Ice Fishing Derby
This is the 33rd year for this multi-day event that regularly attracts over 1,000 participants.
Anglers spread out over the ice of Hawk, Wawa and Manitowik Lakes. The new list of species for 2025 includes pike, lake trout, and whitefish.
The Wawa Ice Fishing Derby awards $12,000 for the heaviest fish from each of the three derby lakes, plus major prizes for the next five heaviest fish caught on each lake, in addition to a $35,000 registration prize.
Dates: February 28–March 2, 2025
Location: Wawa
Chapleau Pike Ice Fishing Derby
This is the 27th year for the Chapleau Pike Ice Fishing Derby.
The one-day event runs from 7:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. on the Chapleau River and Mulligans Bay and offers $10,000 for the largest pike and generous cash prizes going down to $160 for the tenth biggest fish by weight.
Anglers can enter a total of two pike, but because entrants are only allowed to win one major prize, only the larger of their two fish counts.
Date: February 8, 2025
Location: Chapleau
Hearst Pike Fever Ice Fishing Derby
There are big cash prizes for the first annual Hearst Pike Fever on Pivabisca Lake, with $10,000 for the largest pike down to $2000 for the fourth largest.
The one-day tournament runs from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. and is hosted by the Hearst Anglers and Hunters Club.
Date: March 15, 2025
Location: Hearst
The Dunlop Derby
Dunlop Lake Lodge runs this fun family derby. Participants can fish over 10 miles of Dunlop Lake. Prizes include half of the purse, a free weekend at the lodge’s cabin and a pizza party for ten people at the lodge.
Date: March 8, 2025
Location: Dunlop Lake Lodge
Haliburton Highlands to the Ottawa Valley
Muskrat Lake Civitan Ice Fishing Derby
Participants must have a container with a handle to bring their pike, trout or perch to the measuring station alive.
Cash prizes are determined by species and length. All fishing is within a designated area on the east side of the lake.
The annual Muskrat Lake Ice Fishing Derby is run by the Cobden Civitan Club.
Date: February 1, 2025
Location: Cobden
York, Durham and Headwaters
Island Lake Fishing Derby
The 14th Annual Island Lake Fishing Derby at Island Lake Conservation Area runs daily from 8:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
Staff will be available on ice or at the Rental Shop to measure fish and register for prizes for pike, black crappie, and yellow perch. Prizes will be awarded.
Event dates include Ontario Family Fishing Weekend, February 15-17, 2025, during which Canadian residents may fish without a licence.
Dates: February 8–17, 2025
Location: Island Lake Conservation Area
Ottawa Region
Harbor Harvest Ice Fishing Derby
Hosted by the Nepean Sailing Club, Harbour Harvest is a family-friendly event that raises money for three local charities in Ottawa.
Volunteers will be on hand to help drill holes. This event is held during the annual Family Day Fishing Weekend, so no fishing licence is required for Canadian residents.
Date: February 16, 2025
Location: Ottawa River
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Last updated: January 15, 2025