Muddy York Ice fishing Rice Lake
Rice Lake is in Fisheries Management Zone 17, up to 13 m deep (mean 3 m). Here's what Ontario's records say lives there, what's open through the ice season under the official rules, and how cold this winter has been so far.
We can't see the ice
Nothing on this page tells you the ice is safe. Check thickness yourself as you go, ask the hut operators and locals, and follow ice safety guidance from the Canadian Red Cross and the Lifesaving Society.
How cold this winter has been
Freezing degree-days add up how far below 0°C each day's average air temperature was. More usually means more ice, but currents, springs, snow cover and pressure cracks make ice uneven. This is weather, not an ice report.
What's open through the ice season
| Fish | Mid-January | Mid-February | March 10 | March 25 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Walleye second Saturday in May to November 15 | Closed | Closed | Closed | Closed |
| Yellow perch open all year | Open | Open | Open | Open |
| Northern pike open all year | Open | Open | Open | Open |
| Crappie open all year | Open | Open | Open | Open |
From the Ontario Fishing Regulations Summary (Zone 17). Limits and size rules apply; see the official wording below.
Where anglers head
Common starting points on Rice Lake include Bewdley, Gores Landing, Hastings. Conditions differ a lot from bay to bay, so ask locally about the exact area you plan to fish.
Before you go out
- Check the ice with a spud bar or auger as you walk, not just at the shore.
- Stay away from pressure ridges, river mouths, bridges, docks and springs, where ice is often thinner.
- Wear a flotation suit or PFD, carry ice picks and a throw rope, and never go alone.
- Tell someone where you're going and when you'll be back.
- Hut operators rent heated huts on many big lakes and know their ice; using one is the easiest way to start.
Ice season in the app
When the ice season is on, Muddy York Fishing adds an Ice fishing mode: lakes near you with how cold the winter has been, what's open today under the official rules, and a fishing-weather outlook. It never rates the ice.
Start your free 7-day trialFrequently asked
When does ice fishing start on Rice Lake?
It depends on the weather each winter, not a date. Ice forms after a long run of freezing weather and is never uniform. Hut operators and local reports are the best guide; never go out on ice you haven't checked.
What can you catch ice fishing on Rice Lake?
Ontario's lake records list walleye, yellow perch, northern pike, crappie in Rice Lake. Under the current rules, yellow perch, northern pike, crappie can be fished in mid-winter, and walleye is closed in winter.
What fishing zone is Rice Lake in?
Fisheries Management Zone 17.
Do I need a fishing licence to ice fish?
Yes, the same Outdoors Card and fishing licence as any other fishing in Ontario, unless you're exempt (for example under 18 or 65 and older) or it's a free fishing weekend.
All ice fishing lakes · Zone 17 regulations · Fishing licence · Winter fishing near Toronto