If you have never experienced a Canadian winter for yourself and are looking to check it out this year, there is no better way to do that than by renting an RV and meandering across the country in search of things to do. And when it comes to doing things in Canada in the winter, may we recommend ice fishing? Traveling cross-country in an RV really lends itself to this pastime, since you will always have a warm and comfortable mobile home to return to when it’s time to pack it up for the night.
So, what are some of the best places to ice fish and RV in Canada? Let’s get into it!
Whiteswan Lake, BC
We start out in the west, in British Columbia’s Whiteswan Lake. This is one of the well-known lakes at Whiteswan Lake Provincial Park, which offers a number of vehicle-accessible campgrounds so you can bring your RV along for the fun. Usually, campers pay a fee to park their vehicles here, but during the winter, when no services are provided, the cost is free. However, before heading out to the lake to do some ice fishing, please know that most vehicle campgrounds are gated in wintertime, so you must be prepared to park and walk some distance to the lake. Once there, drill some holes, drop a few lines, and be on the lookout for some trout!Quesnel Lake, BC
Jump back in the RV and head southeast, because we are now going to Quesnel Lake, located closer to British Columbia’s border with Alberta. You can get to the western part of this glacial lake by traveling about 85 kilometres from British Columbia’s town of Likely.Once you arrive at Quesnel Lake, you will find a multitude of fishing and camping resorts spread around, including Elysia Resort and Plato Island Resort & Marina. Not every location offers wintertime RV camping, but if you are looking to get your hand into the British Columbia trout game, the ice fishing on Quesnel Lake can’t be beaten!
If you want to remain in British Columbia for even more ice fishing, head north to check out the opportunities at Williston Lake, too!
Kananaskis Lakes, AB
Leave British Columbia behind and head east into Alberta, where we will first stop at the Kananaskis Lakes, located in Peter Lougheed Provincial Park. The park is huge and has hundreds of campgrounds offering serviced and unserviced campsites for RVs and tents. For the actual lakes where you will be doing all your ice fishing, here we have an Upper and Lower Kananaskis Lake. Head out onto the frozen lakes and be prepared to catch some rainbow, bull, and cutthroat trout. Just be aware of all provincial fishing regulations before you fish, since some types are for catch and release only!Lake Newell, AB
Maybe you aren’t trekking all across Canada but instead are heading out of a main urban hub into the wild unknown. Next on our list of great ice fishing spots around Canada, we are featuring Lake Newell in southern Alberta, so you might want to head out there from Calgary. Check out some RV rentals in Calgary, select your vehicle, and then sit back and enjoy the two-and-a-half-hour ride through the Canadian wilderness to Lake Newell.Lake Newell is a man-made body of water that offers plenty of options for RV camping, including the sites in Kinbrook Island Provincial Park, located right on the lake. Your ice fishing opportunities on Lake Newell include burbot, lake whitefish, northern pike, walleye, and yellow perch.
Cold Lake, AB
We are staying in Alberta for the time being, this time heading to Cold Lake in the extreme east, right on the border with Saskatchewan. If you’re looking for an urban center to use as a base before taking the plunge into the wild, you will want to consider picking up an RV van rental in Edmonton, since it is a drive of just over three hours to Cold Lake, situated inside Cold Lake Provincial Park. You will first want to get settled into one of the park’s many RV campsites, with either power or power/water hookups. Enjoy spending this time in the forest, since the boreal trees of the north will afford you plenty of cover and privacy.Now onto the main event. The ice fishing at Cold Lake is nothing short of superb, given the great range of fish varieties that make this place their habitat. Walleye, northern pike, yellow perch, and burbot inhabit these waters, as well as a large population of trout. Northern pikes should be the starter fish for anyone just being introduced to fishing, since they can be found all over the shore, and in the relatively shallow water of 10 to 30 feet. Walleye, meanwhile, move around a lot, so you might not want to get your hopes up for these elusive creatures. When you are ice fishing, you drill your holes and wait for the best. But no matter what, there is a ton of fishing fun to be had here at Cold Lake.
For the last location on our list, we are headed to Ontario, but before we go, keep in mind some of the other great ice fishing locations in the great expanse of Alberta: Calling Lake, Lake Minnewanka, Peerless Lake, and Pigeon Lake.
Lake Nipissing, ON
We are now in Ontario and visiting Lake Nipissing, about three and a half hours north of Toronto. You will find a plethora of spots around the lake for RV and tent camping, although some are seasonal and open only from May to October. Meanwhile, Lake Nipissing offers some phenomenal chances for ice fishing in the winter, including varieties such as walleye, pike, perch, and whitefish. These fish are active throughout the winter, which is why you will often see thousands of ice-fishing huts and other small mobile dwellings scattered across the frozen water. You might think something like this is only for tourists traveling the wild for good fishing, but local residents enjoy it, too, so be sure to strike up some conversations out on the ice. The other anglers will be happy to offer some advice on fishing, preparing, and cooking!Other great spots for Ontario ice fishing include Lake of Woods, Lake Simcoe, Crystal Lake, Wawa, and Wakomata Lake.
You are sure to have fun no matter what ice fishing spot you choose to visit across Canada. And it’s all possible with a quality RV rental from CanaDream. We can even help plan your trip! RV itineraries in Canada are our specialty. We are always happy to assist you in experiencing Canada at your own pace, so don’t be afraid to ask questions.
Contact us to learn more about getting started on your journey!
