5 Lakes in Ontario that Completely Freeze Over in the Winter

Lake Simcoe

A 135-foot-deep lake remnant of prehistoric Lake Lake Algonquin, Lake Simcoe sits between Georgian Bay and Lake Ontario in Ontario’s southern region. It features an elevation of 719 feet (219m) above sea level with an area of 287.3 mi² (744 km²). Referred to as the ice-fishing capital of North America, the lake freezes over completely, but not every winter. Fishing enthusiasts find a variety of fish, such as yellow perch, small-mouth bass, whitefish, and lake trout.

Other area activities include ice skating, snowshoeing, ice hockey, cross-country skiing, and bird-watching. For the birdwatchers, species seen include white-breasted nuthatches, common redpolls, American goldfinches, blue jays, Northern cardinals, house and purple finches, black-capped chickadees, and the common loon, their provincial bird. Winter wildlife residents include skunks, opossums, raccoons, muskrats, beavers, porcupines, river otters, fishers, martens, mink, and weasels. In addition, there are deer, bears, foxes, and wolves.

Lake Muskoka

Located between Gravenhurst and Port Carling, this lake usually freezes over in mid-January, with complete freezing in March. It is 220 feet deep (67m) in an area of 34.36 mi² (55.29km²) and an elevation of 738 feet (224.9m) above sea level. Dotted with country clubs and mansions of the rich and famous, it is known as the “Hamptons of the North.” As a result, there is a lot to enjoy in the winter in this beautiful area, such as:

• Snowmobiling
• Hanna Park Skating Trail
• Ice skating
• Cross-country skiing
• Snowshoeing
• Ice fishing

Fish species here include Northern pike, whitefish, rainbow, and lake trout. Birders can enjoy pileated woodpeckers, common loons, Great blue herons, osprey, blue jays, and black-capped chickadees. In addition, winter animal sightings include black bears, moose, white-tailed deer, North American elk, snowshoe hare, red fox, and white-footed mice.

Lake of the Woods

Thanks to its abundant supply of walleye, this lake is known as the “Walleye Capital of the World. However, the lake also holds musky, lake trout, smallmouth bass, trout, whitefish, and pike. Indeed, it is another of the popular ice-fishing lakes in the province! Located on the border of Manitoba and Minnesota in the United States, this shallow long lake is 85 miles (136.7km) in length, 56 miles (90.1km) wide, and has an area of 1,727 mi2 (4,472 km2), and is 310 feet (94.4m) deep. There are 14,522 islands on the lake, and it is one of the largest lakes in North America, with 25,000 miles of shoreline and a unique trait: it flows north!

The lake freezes over completely during the winter, with an average ice thickness of 25 to 30 inches. As a result, it becomes part of the Northwest Angle ice road, which runs from Warroad, MN, to Lake of the Woods’ northern shore. Another activity enjoyed here is snowmobiling. Wildlife in the area includes woodchucks, snowshoe hares, lynx, wolves, black bears, and moose. Bird species include herring gull, turkey vulture, bald eagle, pileated woodpecker, hooded merganser, and ruffed grouse.

Lac des Mille Lacs

Located in northwestern Ontario the lake Lac des Mille Lacs translates to mean “Lake of a Thousand Lakes” from the French. This lake spans 94 mi² with a depth of 20 feet and drains into the Hudson River. It’s an idyllic place 72 miles (117 km) northwest of Thunder Bay, near the town of Upsala. The landscape is dotted with islands, peninsulas, and bays. Ice fishing is a popular sport here when the lake freezes over by mid-December. In fact, sometimes it gets to be three feet thick! Fish species here include smallmouth bass, northern pike, and walleye. Birdwatchers enjoy seeing such birds as Great blue herons, common loons, ospreys, and bald eagles. Winter activities here include snowmobiling, cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, and sledding. Wildlife seen in the area includes Northern elk and moose.