Are you looking for the best place to go ice fishing in Laval?
I’ll be the first to admit, that when we were on holiday in Laval, Quebec, and were invited to go ice fishing at 7 am, our first reaction was, “Thanks, but no thanks!” However, as the mom of one excited 8-year-old boy, when we were invited to go ice fishing in Laval, “no” was not an option. So, there we were, bundled up against the cold as we made our way over to the host hut at Parc de la Rivière-des-Mille-Îles to grab our gear for ice fishing Laval.
Spoiler Alert: We had an incredible time! I wanted to put together this article to share our experience, family photos, and what you can expect when you book an ice fishing experience with Parc de la Rivière-des-Mille-Îles in Laval.
Fun Fact: As I update this article (four years after our ice fishing Laval experience), I sit at my computer, and next to me are four framed photos of us each posing at one of the colourful ice fishing huts!
Ice Fishing Laval
Parc de la Rivière-des-Mille-Îles offers guided family ice fishing Laval experiences, during which families can learn about proper fishing practices, different species of fish living below the ice’s edge, fish anatomy, the history of fishing, and different fishing techniques, from more traditional to more modern styles.
Upon completion of your ice fishing Laval experience, children from 9-12 years old will earn a fishing permit that will be valid until their 18th birthday. They will also receive a gimbal and a Gulliver guide.
Where To Go Ice Fishing In Laval
Your ice fishing tour in Laval will start at Parc de la Rivière-des-Mille-Îles at a hut where your guide will welcome you for the day. She immediately made my son and I feel right at home and got us all the gear we would need: poles, hooks, bait, and more. With our gear in hand, we were back out the door, and heading down the trail towards the ice.
Parc de la Rivière-des-Mille-Îles Ice Fishing Laval
As we made our way through the beautiful trail in Laval’s beloved Parc de la Rivière-des-Mille-Îles, my son and I were struck by the beauty that surrounded us. Tall trees capped with fresh white snow made the setting picturesque, and as we emerged from the trail and onto the ice, we were met with a scene so surreal, that it felt as if it were ripped straight out of a Canadian nature magazine.
Out on the ice, a large circle of snow had been shoveled off and marked for safety. To make this ring even more visible, old Christmas trees had been placed caringly in the snow ridge around the ice, forming the perfect circle of evergreen. Inside, colourful ice fishing huts dotted the ice, their bright paint popping against the snow-white background. Truly something unlike anything we had ever seen!
Guided Family Ice Fishing Laval
As our guide brought us over to our very own ice fishing hut for the day, it quickly became clear that this was going to be a hands-on experience.
First up, we had to prep our fishing hole. While (thankfully!) the holes had already been drilled through the thick ice, my son and I had the job of clearing out the ice chunks and snow debris that had fallen in since the last group had fished. Using a gigantic metal strainer, we scooped out all we could to make way for our fishing lines. It was here that we learned the first of many interesting ice-fishing facts and tricks that day. Our guide instructed us to position our poles flat against the ice and then pour our strained water directly over them, cementing the poles to the surface. This allows them to remain in perfect position, even when you get a big nibble from a walleye or a perch.
Hole prepped and poles ready, our guide showed my son and I how to get our bait – super stinky minnows – onto our hooks. Ready to go, we dropped our lines into the water and eagerly awaited our first catch of the day.
Introduction to Ice Fishing
As we waited for our first bite, our guide took our minds off the cold by sharing some great stories and facts with us. My son learned so much during this excursion, including why we had to use such stinky minnows (so the fish could smell them from far away), why the minnows were shiny and bright (it’s super dark in the water so you want a reflective bait), and why we would occasionally give our poles a gentle shake (fish feel vibrations in the water, which would attract them to our bait).
As a mom who wants our holidays to be equal parts fun and educational, I appreciated the efforts our guide took to educate us on the history and culture surrounding ice fishing. She was also sure to educate us on the fish of the region. Our goal for the day was to catch either walleye or perch, which are plentiful in that part of Québec. However, many other varieties of fish roam the waters there too, including one crazy specimen that is a distant relative of sharks, with several rows of 700 razor-sharp teeth!
Hospitality On Ice
With the fish slow to bite, and the wind chill making it feel much colder than the actual minus 7 it was, my son eventually reached a point where he was ready to warm up. Thankfully, our wonderful guide had us inside a nearby warming hut in a matter of minutes, where we drank a warm mug of hot chocolate while we de-iced our fingers and toes. Not wanting the cold to sour our experience, our guide continued to share fascinating facts about fishing in the region, and my son’s eyes remained wide as she told stories of all the amazing creatures swimming just below the surface of the ice!
Indigenous History & Cultural Connections
Canada has a rich history with its First Nations communities, and this area of Québec was no exception. Our guide even prepared a hands-on lesson for our family. As we continued to warm our bones, she brought out a whole collection of incredible First Nations fishing replicas!
My son was captivated as our guide let him hold a deer bone carved into a fishing hook, plants woven into fishing lines, rocks used to wind the line, and even a replica harpoon that First Nations used to catch fish back when they roamed the land. It was a wonderful educational opportunity that I’m so grateful to have shared with us.
What To Do If The Fish Don’t Bite
We spent the next few hours moving back and forth between our fishing hole and the warming hut. Unfortunately, we ended the day without catching anything…but honestly, it didn’t matter. Ice fishing Laval is such an amazing experience regardless of whether or not you land a fish!
What to Wear to go Ice Fishing in Laval
Even though the weather was a “balmy” -7°C, with the wind chill and the icy setting it felt closer to -20°C, so be sure to bundle up in layers so that you can stay warm and fully enjoy the experience. Here’s what I wear when heading outdoors in cold Canadian winters:
- Base Layer – think athletic wear that pulls the sweat away from the body.
- Mid Layer – think fleece and insulating.
- Outer Layer – external shell rated for the weather. Windproof helps too.
- Socks – thin layer and wool layer.
- Boots – rated for the temperatures.
- Gloves/mittens
- Balaclava, neck warmer, or scarf
- Toque
- Hand Warmers – to tuck into gloves or socks to warm up cold hands or toes
Photographer Tip: Place hand warmers in an inside pocket with your camera batteries to help keep them warm until you need them. This works for your phone as well.
Ice Fishing In Laval FAQ’s
When are ice fishing lessons in Laval?
The ice fishing Laval tours are held on Saturdays and Sundays from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. during the winter season.
How long are ice fishing lessons at Parc de la Rivière-des-Mille-Îles?
The lessons are 3 hours long.
How much does it cost to go ice fishing in Laval at Parc de la Rivière-des-Mille-Îles?
Ice Fishing Laval: Adults – $18, Children – $12, Family – $49 (2 adults and 2 children) * Extra children are $5 each.
How old do you need to be do to an ice fishing experience in Laval?
The recommended minimum age is 6 years old for ice fishing Laval.
How to book ice fishing in Laval
Call Parc de la Rivière-des-Mille-Îles : 450 622-1020
In Conclusion
From the picturesque setting and engaging guide to the wonderful lessons in Indigenous and ice fishing history, our family could not have asked for a more memorable, fun eco-tour experience. So, the next time someone asks you to get up at 7 am on a holiday to hit the ice, let me be the first to tell you that your answer should be an enthusiastic “yes”!
Planning an Ultimate East Coast Canadian Winter Road Trip? Check out these other articles for inspiration!
Is this a sponsored post?: Yes, while our ice fishing Laval experience is sponsored, all opinions are our own!
