Calgary 
Ice fishing is one of the best ways to relax over winter in Alberta.
The outdoor activity brings you to some of the most beautiful parts of Alberta (plus, these scenic lakes are often quiet, secluded, or off the main highways). If you have your gear and shelter, you can head to various provincial parks to set up alongside other fishers.
No gear? No problem! Alberta is also home to different fishing tour companies, and ice fishing rental companies. They can provide you with the gear and ice shack or shelter, and some can offer a guided experience. The ice shack rentals in Alberta range in price and experiences offered, with everything from basic needs to luxurious living room setups.
And don’t forget your Alberta Fishing License! These are required for ice fishing, even when you book a tour or experience. You can fish license-free on Family day weekend.
Content:
- Guided Ice Fishing Tours in Alberta
- Where to Rent Ice Fishing Shacks
Guided Ice Fishing Tours in Alberta
Winifred Lake Outfitters
Winifred Lake Outfitters are an all-season adventure company who offer camping, guided hunting, trapping workshops, and guided fishing. So, each winter, Winifred Lake Outfitters can bring you out on the ice to catch some the lake’s top trophy fish.
Where: two hours northeast of Lac La Biche on AB-881
Reel Angling Adventures
If you’re not sure where to start with ice fishing, you can trust the experienced guides at Reel Angling Adventures. They offer chartered ice fishing, and a weekend getaway package with the activity included. They offer different lakes, too: choose between Calling, Rock Island, Fawcett, or Baptiste Lake.
Where: Sturgeon County, near Athabasca
Banff Fishing Unlimited
Ice fishing in the quiet of the Rockies can be one of the most relaxing ice fishing experiences. Luckily, there are guides who can bring you to the best and most peaceful fishing spots within the park. Banff Fishing take their ice fishing groups onto Spray Lakes and offer trips for as long as 7 hours. The tour group also includes transportation from either Banff or Canmore to your fishing location.
Where: pickup from Banff or Canmore, fishing on Spray Lakes
Alberta Fishing Charters
You can find southern Alberta ice fishing tours with Alberta Fishing Charters, who operate in the Calgary region, and the Banff/Canmore area. These tours are perfect for groups of friends, or families with kids, and will include all the necessary equipment, plus a private shack. On an Alberta Ice Fishing Charter, you could catch northern pike, walleye, or rainbow trout.
Where: Calgary, Banff, and Canmore
Get Hooked Fishing Adventures
Ice fishing is a new tour offered by Get Hooked Fishing Adventures. The group operates near Edmonton on Wabamun Lake and can offer full-day, or half-day ice fishing trips. Wabamun is an excellent lake for walleye, trout, and pike.
Where: Wabamun Lake, Parkland County
Where to Rent Ice Fishing Shacks
Credit: Sunsport Recreation/Sylvan Lake
Sunsport Recreation on Sylvan Lake
There are many ways to enjoy winters in Sylvan Lake, including snowshoeing, skating, cross-country skiing, and the town’s dining scene. Sunsport offers an additional way to enjoy winter at the lake with ice-fishing cabin rentals. These can fit 2-6 people and can be enhanced with an all-inclusive package.
Sylvan Lake hosts the annual Big Jig Ice Fishing Derby every Family day weekend.
How much: $150-$250 per day, or $349 per night
Alberta Adventures on Lac St. Anne
Rent shacks from Alberta Adventures on Lac St. Anne for a bright and colourful experience. Each shack offers its own colourful art on the outside, and features on the inside to keep you warm and comfortable during your stay. They offer a Family Shack which can sleep six people, or the Original, meant for two adults.
How much: $150 per day, or $250-$350 per night
Pinto Rentals on Lesser Slave Lake
The large and beautiful Lesser Slave Lake is just that any time of year. But in the winter, this impressive sheet of ice is just as beautiful, and much quieter. This makes it one of the most relaxing ice fishing destinations north of Edmonton. Plus, Pinto Rentals offer a variety of ice shacks to help make the experience memorable and enjoyable.
How much: $250-$300 per night
Tip Up Ice Shack Rentals on Lake Newell
Southeastern Alberta’s Lake Newell is known for northern pike, walleye, perch, and burbot. Lake Newell is also where you will find Tip Up Ice Shack Rentals, who offer ways to rent your own slice of winter paradise. Some of their cabins, like the Bunkhouse and Eye Hunter, are intended for overnight stays. The Social Shanties are for day-use.
How much: $125-$250 per day, or $250-$300 per night
S&P Fishing on Gull Lake
There are three luxury cabins to rent this winter from Gull Lake’s S&P Fishing company. These cabins have it all, including TVs, access to streaming and entertainment, barbecues, camp stoves, and bar areas. If you’re looking for an extended getaway, S&P offer savings on bookings of two nights or more.
How much: $250-$450 per night
Gull Lake Adventure Ice Fishing
Gull Lake offers a wide variety of fish to catch during winter, including pike, perch, whitefish, burbot, walleye. The Gull Lake Adventure Ice Fishing Company have set up everything you need for a cozy family fishing getaway. This includes special rates for kids’ day use, and kids’ overnight ice fishing rentals. The overnight rentals for any group will include solar power for USB chargers, potable water, a kitchenette, beds, and proximity to outhouses.
How much: $100-$190 per person per night
Gull Lake Fishing Charters
Gull Lake is considered one of the top fishing lakes overall in Alberta. And the Gull Lake Fishing Charters offer cozy cabins in which you can enjoy the winter activity. The Charter provides all you need for a warm overnight stay, including a pre-drilled fishing hole. The cabins enable you to fish in luxury, no matter which one you choose. These ice fishing rental cabins seat 3-5 guests.
How much: $315-$500 per night
Dokcyde on Wabamun Lake
Rent from Dokcyde’s ice shacks come Man Cave style. Their shacks are, of course, available to all adults, and offer an incredibly comfortable ice fishing experience. Dokcyde have a variety of Man Cave Ice Shacks available, too, including the IceBase with a table and dart board, as their simplest shack. The Ice Den is their most luxurious fishing shack complete with a TV/satellite, kitchenette, washroom, and it can sleep up to five adults.
How much: $220 per day or $340-$460 per night
Fishapalooza Ice Hut Rentals Lac La Biche
Experience the luxury of Fishapalooza’s ice fishing cabins alongside the beauty of Lac La Biche in winter. The frozen area creates a beautifully quiet place for a weekend of fishing in these all inclusive accommodations. They offer styles which sleep 2-6 people.
How much: $200-$475 per night
Best Alberta Parks for Ice Fishing
If you have all the gear you need for your ice fishing adventure, then you have many options for great fishing lakes in Alberta. In addition to famous lakes like Sylvan Lake, Gull Lake, Wabamun Lake, Lake Newell, Lesser Slave Lake, and Lac St. Anne, below are some of the most peaceful provincial park options for a day of ice fishing.
- Beauvais Lake Provincial Park (southwest of Calgary and Pincher Creek)
- Moonshine Lake Provincial Park (southwest of Peace River and Fairview)
- Kinbrook Island Provincial Park (southeast of Calgary and Bassano)
- Gregoire Lake Provincial Park (south of Fort McMurray)
- For stocked lakes and ponds near you, see here
