
Ice Fishing Derby for PC
Reviewed by Apps Playground Editorial Team · Updated

Settle in at your desk for a five-day tournament where every decision about gear and strategy ripples through the entire week. Ice Fishing Derby puts you on the ice with a portable drill, a budget, and rising stakes as the temperature plummets, and a keyboard and mouse let you manage your bait shop purchases and on-ice catches with precision you'd lose on a phone screen. You start by buying tackle, head out to drill holes and fish for bluegills and crappie, then graduate to walleyes and northern pike as your cash grows. The real pressure kicks in: earn enough at each day's weigh-in to afford a shelter and heater, or the cold will end your run.
Ice Fishing Derby on PC transforms a mobile fishing sim into a multi-hour session that rewards patience and planning. With a full monitor and keyboard control, you can track your equipment, manage your funds, and focus on the lake without cramped thumbs interrupting the flow. Each day unfolds as a deliberate cycle: shop, drill, fish, collect cash, survive another night.
The Core Loop: Drill, Fish, and Earn
Every session follows the same rhythm, and that consistency is the game's hook. Here's how a typical day plays out:
- Visit the bait shop to stock up on tackle: start simple, then upgrade as your winnings grow
- Drill holes across the frozen lake, searching for productive fishing spots
- Cast and reel in bluegills, crappie, perch, walleyes, and northern pike throughout the day
- Return to the weigh-in station to collect cash for your catch
- Use your earnings to buy survival gear: a portable shelter and heater before the next day begins
Gear, Trades, and the Path to the Ultimate Ice Fishing Experience
Ice Fishing Derby starts you with basic equipment but dangles upgrades throughout the week. As your catch improves and cash accumulates, you unlock access to a sonar flasher and an underwater camera system: tools that let you scout what's beneath the ice before you commit your line. Other fishermen on the lake offer trades, deals that can swing your fortune either way. The free version gives you full play with ads turned off, though some premium equipment requires an in-app purchase to unlock.
Desktop Play Reshapes Your Session
Running Ice Fishing Derby for Windows PC changes how long you stay engaged. What might feel like a quick phone distraction on mobile becomes a proper sitting: players report losing three-hour stretches without noticing the time slip away. A real monitor gives you breathing room to read the shop menu, spot incoming trade offers, and watch the sonar screen without the stress of a small touchscreen. Your mouse clicks are faster and more reliable than tapping, making the constant drilling and reeling feel less taxing across multiple hours.
Survival as the Real Challenge
The tournament's gimmick (rising cold that forces you to invest in shelter and heating) creates genuine tension. You're not just fishing for a high score; you're racing against a countdown that grows more severe each day. Poor catch rates or bad luck drilling can leave you broke when nightfall hits, and there's no safety net. This pressure, stretched across a full desktop session, is where Ice Fishing Derby hooks long-term players who return to it year after year.
How to Download and Install Ice Fishing Derby for PC or MAC:
Select an Android emulator:  There are many free and paid Android emulators available for PC and MAC, few of the popular ones are Bluestacks, Andy OS, Nox, MeMu and there are more you can find from Google.
Compatibility:  Before downloading them take a look at the minimum system requirements to install the emulator on your PC.
For example,  BlueStacks requires OS: Windows 10, Windows 8.1, Windows 8, Windows 7, Windows Vista SP2, Windows XP SP3 (32-bit only), Mac OS Sierra(10.12), High Sierra (10.13) and Mojave(10.14), 2-4GB of RAM, 4GB of disk space for storing Android apps/games, updated graphics drivers.
Finally, download and install the emulator which will work well with your PC's hardware/software.
- Open the emulator software from the start menu or desktop shortcut in your PC.
- Associate or set up your Google account with the emulator.
- You can either install the app from Google PlayStore inside the emulator or download Ice Fishing Derby APK file and open the APK file with the emulator or drag the file into the emulator window to install Ice Fishing Derby for PC.
You can follow above instructions to install Ice Fishing Derby for PC with any of the Android emulators available.
Download Ice Fishing Derby

Ice Fishing Derby for PC
FAQ
Can I play Ice Fishing Derby for free?
Yes. The free version is completely ad-free and includes all core gameplay. Some specialized equipment in the bait shop requires an in-app purchase, but you can finish the tournament and catch every common fish type without spending money.
What fish can I catch?
Ice Fishing Derby lets you catch bluegills, crappie, perch, walleyes, and northern pike. You start with smaller panfish and work your way up to the larger species as your gear and skill improve.
Is there more to do than just fish?
Beyond casting, you'll drill holes to find productive spots, manage your budget at the bait shop, negotiate trades with other fishermen on the lake, and strategize which gear upgrades to buy first. Survival (affording shelter and heat before each day ends) is as important as the catch itself.
How long does a tournament take?
A full five-day derby on desktop can easily consume three or more hours in a single sitting, depending on your pace and exploration. Many players return to Ice Fishing Derby repeatedly across years.
What's the deal with other fishermen on the lake?
Fishermen offer trades and deals as you play. These can be beneficial or risky, so evaluate each offer carefully before accepting: some trades might help you afford critical gear, while others might not pay off.
The editorial team installs and tests each app before writing up the guide, and keeps the version history current. The site has never charged developers for coverage.
