Ice Lakes on Steam - User reviews, Price & Information

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Ice Lakes is a modern ice fishing simulator with different single and multiplayer game modes and sandbox approach to wintertime fishing. Use and customize wide selection of fishing gear and learn how changing season, bottom topology, time of day and weather conditions affects fish behavior.

Ice Lakes is a fishing, sports and simulation game developed by Iceflake Studios and published by Paradox Interactive.
Released on April 19th 2016 is available on Windows, MacOS and Linux in 7 languages: English, Finnish, German, Korean, Japanese, Russian and Simplified Chinese.

It has received 1,599 reviews of which 1,370 were positive and 229 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.2 out of 10. 😎

The game is currently priced at 14.99€ on Steam, but you can find it for 2.42€ on Eneba.


The Steam community has classified Ice Lakes into these genres:

Media & Screenshots

Get an in-depth look at Ice Lakes through various videos and screenshots.

System requirements

These are the minimum specifications needed to play the game. For the best experience, we recommend that you verify them.

Windows
  • OS *: Windows XP SP2+
  • Processor: 2.0 GHz
  • Memory: 2 GB RAM
  • Graphics: Nvidia Geforce 7800 GT or better
  • DirectX: Version 9.0
  • Storage: 1 GB available space
  • VR Support: SteamVR or Oculus PC
MacOS
  • OS: Mac OS X 10.8+
  • Processor: 1.7 GHz
  • Memory: 2 GB RAM
  • Graphics: Intel HD 3000 or better
  • Storage: 1 GB available space
Linux
  • OS: Ubuntu 12.04+
  • Processor: 2.0 GHz
  • Memory: 2 GB RAM
  • Graphics: Nvidia Geforce 7800 GT or better
  • Storage: 1 GB available space

User reviews & Ratings

Explore reviews from Steam users sharing their experiences and what they love about the game.

12 hours played
May 2026
Ice Lakes is a fishing simulator that fully commits to realism, patience, and atmosphere rather than trying to transform fishing into a fast-paced arcade experience. Focused entirely on the niche activity of ice fishing, the game recreates the slow and methodical nature of standing on frozen lakes while carefully studying fish behavior, weather conditions, and equipment choices. What could have easily become a repetitive or overly technical simulator instead turns into a surprisingly immersive and relaxing experience for players willing to embrace its slower pace and simulation-heavy design philosophy. The atmosphere is one of the game’s strongest qualities. Snow-covered landscapes, frozen lakes, quiet forests, and shifting weather conditions create a calm but slightly harsh environment that captures the feeling of winter fishing remarkably well. There is a peaceful isolation present throughout the game that becomes almost meditative during longer sessions. The frozen environments feel authentic because the game does not constantly overwhelm players with action or distractions. Instead, it allows silence, environmental sounds, and gradual progression to carry the experience naturally. Ice Lakes succeeds because it takes the mechanics of fishing seriously. Fish are not randomly generated rewards waiting to be collected but creatures affected by time of day, water depth, bait selection, movement, and changing weather conditions. Catching fish requires observation, patience, and experimentation. Players must carefully select equipment, test different strategies, and pay attention to subtle environmental clues in order to improve their chances of success. This focus on realism creates a stronger sense of accomplishment whenever a difficult catch is finally secured. The simulation systems are impressively detailed for a niche indie title. Different species react differently depending on environmental conditions and player behavior, forcing players to adapt their techniques constantly. Equipment choice matters significantly, and experimenting with rods, lures, jigs, and bait combinations becomes one of the most rewarding parts of the experience. Instead of relying on simple repetitive mechanics, the game encourages players to gradually learn the logic behind successful fishing strategies. The open-world structure also helps keep the experience engaging. Players can explore a variety of frozen lakes and fishing areas inspired by real-world environments, each featuring unique layouts, fish populations, and environmental conditions. Searching for productive fishing spots becomes part of the gameplay itself because not every area offers the same opportunities. Some lakes may favor larger fish while others provide easier catches for beginners, giving each location its own identity and strategic considerations. Progression systems provide additional motivation to continue playing over longer periods. Successful catches reward players with money and unlock opportunities to purchase better equipment and improve fishing setups. Upgrading rods, reels, bait, and specialized gear creates a satisfying sense of advancement without turning the game into an overly grind-heavy RPG system. Progression feels natural because stronger equipment genuinely improves efficiency while still requiring skill and patience to use effectively. Multiplayer is another enjoyable feature that fits the overall tone surprisingly well. Fishing alongside friends across frozen lakes creates a relaxing social experience where players can casually talk while competing in tournaments or searching for ideal fishing spots together. Unlike competitive multiplayer games built around constant action, Ice Lakes benefits from its slower pace because it allows players to enjoy the atmosphere cooperatively without feeling pressured. The multiplayer sessions often feel more calming than competitive, which complements the simulation focus perfectly. The visual presentation is strong enough to support immersion effectively. Frozen lakes reflect changing lighting conditions nicely, snowfall effects add atmosphere, and the environmental detail helps the landscapes feel believable despite the game’s smaller budget. Sunrise and sunset conditions in particular create some genuinely beautiful moments while fishing in quiet winter environments. Although character models and animations are fairly simple, the natural environments themselves are consistently attractive. The sound design contributes heavily to the relaxing atmosphere. Wind blowing across frozen lakes, distant wildlife sounds, cracking ice, and subtle environmental audio all help create a convincing outdoor setting. The game avoids excessive music and dramatic sound effects, allowing the quiet nature of the environment to dominate most play sessions. This restrained audio design works extremely well because the peaceful atmosphere becomes one of the main reasons players continue returning. However, Ice Lakes is definitely not designed for everyone. The slow pacing and heavy realism can become frustrating for players expecting constant rewards or action-focused gameplay. Long stretches without catching fish are common, and beginners may initially struggle to understand exactly how the deeper systems function. The game often expects players to learn through experimentation rather than extensive tutorials, which can make the early experience feel intimidating. The realistic pacing can occasionally work against the game as well. Certain sessions may feel overly passive or repetitive depending on player expectations and patience levels. Players unfamiliar with simulation-heavy fishing games may eventually lose interest if they prefer faster progression or more direct objectives. Technical roughness also appears in certain areas. Interface navigation can sometimes feel awkward, and occasional multiplayer issues or small bugs remind players that this is a lower-budget simulation project. While these problems rarely destroy the experience completely, they do prevent the game from feeling fully polished. What ultimately makes Ice Lakes stand out is its authenticity. The game does not attempt to simplify ice fishing into nonstop excitement or exaggerated action. Instead, it embraces the patience, calmness, and technical detail associated with the real activity. That commitment to realism gives the game a unique identity that few sports simulators manage to replicate successfully. Ice Lakes is a highly specialized but impressively immersive fishing simulator that rewards patience, observation, and appreciation for slower gameplay. Its detailed mechanics, beautiful winter environments, and relaxing atmosphere create a rewarding experience for players willing to engage with its methodical pace. While it may be too slow or niche for some audiences, fans of realistic simulations and peaceful outdoor experiences will likely find it one of the most authentic fishing games available. Rating: 8/10
7 hours played
March 2026
Good game for when you want to fish on an ice lake.
61 hours played
Nov. 2025
Great game to play with friends for a bit of fun, a bit of banter, and a whole lot of fish!
104 hours played
Nov. 2025
Assemble your camping chair, drill a hole, fill your kuksa with vodka and start jigging. Ahti gives as long as you respect his gifts (ruffe, bluegill and black crappie not included). Dream about going ice fishing irl, but after the -32 celsius hits your face after opening the front door, you gladly open steam and play Ice Lakes.
193 hours played
Oct. 2025
There is nothing like this. Development seems stopped in 2018 and there still some bugs and last update overpopulated lakes with a garbage fish, so it is harder to get what you want. Still, there is no alternative anyway, only ice fishing game out there. As Game itself it is good. You usually find fish where it suppose to be and process of catching it is pretty accurate. Just read a tutorial part. Still did not catch a single damn Smallmouth Bass. Edit: Got 6 of them. Fall morning in great garden.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Ice Lakes is currently priced at 14.99€ on Steam.

No, Ice Lakes is currently not on sale. You can purchase it for 14.99€ on Steam.

Yes, Ice Lakes received 1,370 positive votes out of a total of 1,599 achieving a rating of 8.18.
😎

Ice Lakes was developed by Iceflake Studios and published by Paradox Interactive.

Yes, Ice Lakes is playable and fully supported on Windows.

Yes, Ice Lakes is playable and fully supported on MacOS.

Yes, Ice Lakes is playable and fully supported on Linux.

Ice Lakes offers both single-player and multi-player modes.

Ice Lakes offers both Co-op and PvP modes.

No, Ice Lakes does not currently offer any DLC.

No, Ice Lakes does not support mods via Steam Workshop.

No, Ice Lakes does not support Steam Remote Play.

Yes, Ice Lakes is enabled for Steam Family Sharing. This means you can share the game with authorized users from your Steam Library, allowing them to play it on their own accounts. For more details on how the feature works, you can read the original Steam Family Sharing announcement or visit the Steam Family Sharing user guide and FAQ page.

You can find solutions or submit a support ticket by visiting the Steam Support page for Ice Lakes.

Data sources

The information presented on this page is sourced from reliable APIs to ensure accuracy and relevance. We utilize the Steam API to gather data on game details, including titles, descriptions, prices, and user reviews. This allows us to provide you with the most up-to-date information directly from the Steam platform.

Additionally, we incorporate data from the SteamSpy API, which offers insights into game sales and player statistics. This helps us present a comprehensive view of each game's popularity and performance within the gaming community.

Last Updates
Steam data 10 June 2026 14:31
SteamSpy data 12 June 2026 00:41
Steam price 13 June 2026 12:48
Steam reviews 12 June 2026 14:01

If you'd like to dive deeper into the details about Ice Lakes, we invite you to check out a few dedicated websites that offer extensive information and insights. These platforms provide valuable data, analysis, and user-generated reports to enhance your understanding of the game and its performance.

  • SteamDB - A comprehensive database of everything on Steam about Ice Lakes
  • SteamCharts - Analysis of Ice Lakes concurrent players on Steam
  • ProtonDB - Crowdsourced reports on Linux and Steam Deck Ice Lakes compatibility
Ice Lakes
Rating
8.2
1,370
229
Game modes
Multiplayer
Features
Online players
1
Developer
Iceflake Studios
Publisher
Paradox Interactive
Release 19 Apr 2016
VR VR Supported
Platforms
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