ice fishing

noun

variants or less commonly ice-fishing

ˈīs-ˌfi-shiŋ 

: fishing that is done usually in winter through a hole that is cut in the ice on the surface of a lake, pond, etc.

Ice fishing can yield big rewards that outweigh the discomfort. Sometimes it's easier to catch lunker fish in winter than summer.

—Jim Merriott

Unless you're fishing inside a heated shanty, ice fishing calls for warm clothing.

—Leonard Miracle

There are cabins fairly close by and good ice-fishing to be had in the Salmonier watershed.

—Aaron O'Brien

—sometimes used before another noun

Every winter, his family pulls a small wooden ice-fishing hut onto Togus Pond; he'll get up early just to be in there.

—Nathan Blum

Examples of ice fishing in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

My son Julian’s first interstate trip was to Wisconsin to go ice fishing at five weeks old. — Ashlea Halpern, Condé Nast Traveler, 14 Sep. 2026

The pet-friendly property has an impressive lineup of adventurous activities for guests, including horseback riding, rodeo 101 courses, hiking, archery, a shooting range, ropes course, float trips, sapphire mining, UTV tours, ice fishing and more. — Rebecca R. Norris, USA Today, 31 July 2026

Adventures by True North Alaska offers kayaking excursions on the Knik River, guided ice fishing, winter expeditions at a remote lodge, and snowshoe tours that can include the northern lights. — Brandon Withrow, Travel + Leisure, 30 June 2026

Each spot also has a beige tent provided by the city, which the city will swap out for thicker ice fishing tents in the winter. — Theresa Clift, Sacbee.com, 23 June 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1842, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for ice fishing

• overfishing
• dishing
• phishing
• swishing
• wishing