Ice fishing on Lake Erie is always something special — but when you’re lucky enough to hit first ice, it becomes something else entirely. This winter, I made the trip out to St. Williams, Ontario, with my youngest son, Joey, for a simple family fishing trip targeting yellow perch and northern pike. This wasn’t about putting a ton of fish on the ice. It was about the experience — braving the cold, slowing things down, and spending real time together. First ice has a way of reminding you what fishing is actually about, and that same mindset is at the core of everything we do at Chase the Bite Sportfishing.
We left Niagara early and made the two-hour drive from Niagara into Norfolk County, arriving at 7:15 a.m. The temperature hovered around -25°C, but the drive itself was calm and scenic. Snow-covered fields, quiet winter roads, and wideopen views made it feel far more relaxed than some of the more crowded ice fishing destinations like Lake Simcoe. We parked at Inner Bay Marina, which is directly adjacent to the ice fishing access. Parking was $15, straightforward, and well organized — an easy start to the day, especially when you’ve got a kid with you.
St. Williams sits within Long Point Bay, one of the most unique and productive areas on Lake Erie. Protected by the Long Point sand spit, the bay offers shallow, fertile water, healthy weed growth, and excellent habitat for perch, pike, bass, and baitfish. Because the bay is relatively shallow and sheltered compared to the main lake, it’s also one of the areas that can lock up earlier when winter conditions line up. That combination of protection and productivity is exactly what makes Long Point Bay such a special place for ice fishing — and why first ice here is something anglers wait for all year.
On this trip, everything came together. A sled transported us safely about a mile offshore, which made the day easy and enjoyable, especially with Joey along. We set up over roughly 6 feet of water, with excellent clarity and light green weed growth on the bottom — classic Long Point Bay habitat. The Aqua-Vu camera gave us a clear look below the ice. We watched a largemouth bass cruise through at one point, which is always cool to see in winter. We also noticed perch darting around on the camera, which is a telltale sign that something bigger — often a northern pike — is nearby. Even when you don’t see the pike itself, those little clues tell a story under the ice.
This trip fell midweek, and that can make a real difference on the ice. There’s typically less foot traffic, fewer sleds moving around, and far less noise, which keeps the area calmer overall. On shallow water like Long Point Bay, that reduced pressure can absolutely help the fishing. Everything just feels quieter and more relaxed — and sometimes that’s all it takes for fish to slide back in and stay put.
For this trip, we hired Bayside Ice Fishing as our outfitter, and we were extremely happy with the experience. The service was attentive, professional, and backed by solid local knowledge of Long Point Bay and current ice conditions. The hut itself was very cosy, solid, and heated by a woodstove, which made all the difference on a bitterly cold January day. If you’re planning a Lake Erie ice fishing trip out of St. Williams, I highly recommend them. Good outfitting, safe ice management, and people who know the area go a long way — especially for families.
First ice is one of the most exciting times of the winter season. Fish are aggressive, oxygen levels are high, and everything feels alive beneath the ice. That said, Lake Erie doesn’t freeze safely every year. Some winters never provide the opportunity, which is why days like this are never taken for granted. It’s also worth noting that while January first ice can be enjoyable, peak perch fishing often improves by mid-February, when huts move into more productive areas as fish shift and settle into their winter patterns. After seeing how things set up on this trip, we’re already planning to head back in mid-February to take advantage of that next phase of the season. When Lake Erie gives you a window, you take it — safely and responsibly.
On Lake Erie, anglers are allowed two lines per person, which gave Joey and I flexibility while staying within the regulations. Between the two of us, we ran: 4 total lines 2 lines targeting yellow perch 2 deadbait lines on tip-ups hoping to entice a northern pike It was a simple, relaxed setup that kept the day engaging without overcomplicating things.
The yellow perch we caught were small, but that’s part of fishing — especially on first ice. When schools moved through, the action stayed steady enough to keep things interesting. I spent most of the day jigging a 2-inch Slab Grabber, purchased at Grimsby Tackle, while Joey fished live minnows, which is a great way to keep kids involved and learning how fish react under the ice.
We ran two deadbait lines on tip-ups all day. While none fired, the anticipation kept Joey watching and engaged. Seeing perch scatter on the camera only added to that excitement — you always feel like a flag could pop at any moment.
One of the best moments of the day had nothing to do with fishing. At lunch, we cooked hot dogs in a cast iron pan right on the woodstove inside the hut. Warm food, cold weather, and time together — those are the moments that turn a fishing trip into something you remember.
Ice fishing naturally slows things down. There’s time to talk, warm up, explain what’s happening, and just enjoy being outside together. For Joey, first ice wasn’t about the fish — it was about learning, helping, watching the underwater camera, and being part of the day. As a father and as the captain behind Chase the Bite Sportfishing, those are the trips that matter most to me.
Ice fishing Long Point Bay on Lake Erie out of St. Williams is something special — especially when it becomes a shared experience with your kids. Clear water, safe ice, a warm hut, and simple food go a long way. At Chase the Bite Sportfishing, we focus on custom fishing experiences built around conditions, seasons, and what our clients want to get out of the day. While we’re best known for open-water trips, custom ice fishing trips are available by request when conditions allow. When Lake Erie gives you the opportunity, it’s worth taking.
12 April 2025
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