How to Play Ice Fishing: Complete Step-by-Step Guide
Whether you're completely new to live casino games or transitioning from other Evolution titles, this guide covers everything you need to start playing Ice Fishing confidently. I'll walk you through each step and share insights that took me hundreds of hours to learn.
How Do I Start Playing Ice Fishing?
Place bets on wheel segments (15-second window)
Watch for random multiplier boosts applied to segments
Wheel spins and lands on a segment
Collect winnings or play bonus round if triggered
Repeat — next round begins immediately
That's the core loop. Now let's dive deeper into each component so you understand not just what to do, but why.
Step-by-Step Guide
Finding and Joining the Game
~30 secondsIce Fishing appears in the "Game Shows" or "Live Casino" section of partnered online casinos. Look for the distinctive Arctic theme and Evolution Gaming branding.
Before You Join
- Ensure you have funds deposited in your casino account
- Check that Ice Fishing is available in your jurisdiction
- Verify stable internet connection (WiFi or 4G/5G recommended)
- Set a session budget you're comfortable losing entirely
Pro Tip
Start with minimum bet sizes to familiarize yourself with the interface and game rhythm before increasing your stakes.
Understanding the Betting Interface
Learn once, use alwaysThe betting interface displays all five bet types with their current chip placements. Here's what each represents:
Leaf 1 & Leaf 2
97.10% RTP
Base payout 1:1, boosted up to 10:1. These 46 segments (combined) dominate the wheel. Best for steady, conservative play.
Lil' Blues
95.69% RTP
Triggers blue fish bonus round. Multipliers 3x-100x (up to 1000x with wheel boost). Most frequent bonus.
Big Oranges
95.60% RTP
Triggers orange fish bonus round. Multipliers 4x-200x (up to 2000x with wheel boost). Balanced option.
Huge Reds
95.17% RTP
Triggers red fish bonus round. Multipliers 10x-500x (up to 5000x with wheel boost). Maximum win potential.
How to Place Bets
- Select a chip value from the available denominations
- Click/tap on the bet type(s) you want to wager on
- Each click adds one chip of the selected value
- Use the "Undo" button to remove the last chip, or "Clear" to remove all
- You can bet on multiple segments in the same round
Important: Betting Window
You have approximately 15 seconds to place bets. A countdown timer shows remaining time. Once betting closes, no changes are possible until the next round.
The Multiplier Enhancement Phase
~5 secondsAfter betting closes and before the wheel spins, the system randomly assigns multipliers to select segments. This is crucial to understand because it directly affects potential payouts.
What Happens
- The RNG selects segments to receive multiplier boosts
- Multipliers range from 3x to 10x
- Enhanced segments visually glow or highlight
- Both Leaf and Bonus segments can receive boosts
Why This Matters
For Leaf segments: A 10x multiplier turns the 1:1 base payout into 10:1. A €10 bet returns €100 instead of €10.
For Bonus segments: The multiplier applies to every fish value in the triggered bonus round. A 10x boost on Huge Reds makes even the smallest 10x fish worth 100x.
Observation Tip
Watch the multiplier assignment carefully — it tells you the potential value of each segment before the wheel spins. If your chosen bonus segment receives a high multiplier, that round has exceptional potential.
The Wheel Spin
~5-10 secondsThe 53-segment digital wheel spins and determines the round outcome. Unlike physical wheels in other Evolution games, Ice Fishing's digital wheel enables faster results while maintaining certified RNG fairness.
Possible Outcomes
Leaf Win (86.8% probability)
If the wheel lands on Leaf 1 or Leaf 2 and you bet on that segment, you win immediately. Payout is 1:1 base, or higher if that segment received a multiplier boost.
Bonus Trigger (13.2% combined probability)
If the wheel lands on a bonus segment (Lil' Blues, Big Oranges, or Huge Reds) and you bet on it, you enter the corresponding bonus round.
No Win
If the wheel lands on a segment you didn't bet on, that bet is lost. This happens frequently if you're only betting on bonus segments.
Bonus Rounds (When Triggered)
15-45 secondsWhen you trigger a bonus round, the scene transitions from the wheel to an animated ice hole. A live host "fishes" for your prize while you watch.
The Fishing Sequence
- The host casts a line into the ice hole
- Fish swim beneath the ice (you'll see them animated)
- The line hooks a fish
- The fish is pulled up, revealing its multiplier value
- For larger fish (in Big Oranges and Huge Reds), cranes or helicopters may assist
What You Win
Your payout = Bet amount × Fish multiplier × Wheel multiplier (if any)
Example Calculation
You bet €20 on Huge Reds
The segment received a 5x wheel multiplier
You catch a 100x fish
Payout: €20 × 100 × 5 = €10,000
Every bonus round guarantees a win — there are no empty triggers in Ice Fishing. The question is always "how much," not "if."
Collect and Continue
AutomaticWinnings credit to your balance automatically and instantly. The next betting window opens immediately — at Ice Fishing's pace, you can play 40-60 rounds per hour.
Between Rounds
- Repeat bets: Most interfaces offer a "Rebet" button to replicate your previous wager
- Double: Some casinos allow doubling your previous bet with one click
- History: Check recent results to review your session performance
- Balance management: Monitor your bankroll against your session budget
Pace Awareness
Ice Fishing is significantly faster than other live game shows. At 10-15 seconds per round, a €5 bet translates to €20-30 per minute in action. Be conscious of this speed when managing your bankroll.
Tips for Different Experience Levels
Complete Beginners
Never played a live casino game before? Focus on these fundamentals:
- Start with Leaf bets only. The 97.10% RTP and frequent wins let you learn the rhythm without rapid losses.
- Use minimum bet sizes. Most casinos allow €0.10-€0.50 minimum. Learn at low stakes.
- Watch before playing. Many casinos let you observe games without betting. Spend 10 minutes watching to understand the flow.
- Set a strict budget. Decide on an amount you're willing to lose for entertainment and stop when it's gone.
- Don't chase losses. If you're down, resist the urge to bet bigger. The mathematics don't change.
Experienced Live Casino Players
Coming from Crazy Time, Dream Catcher, or other Evolution games? Here's what's different:
- Much faster pace. Rounds complete in 10-15 seconds vs. 3-5 minutes. Adjust your betting rhythm accordingly.
- Digital wheel. Unlike physical wheels, outcomes are RNG-determined. No mechanical patterns exist.
- Guaranteed bonus wins. Every triggered bonus pays something — no empty bonus rounds.
- Higher base RTP. Leaf bets at 97.10% beat most alternatives. Consider incorporating them even if you prefer bonus action.
- Lower maximum win. 5000x ceiling is lower than Crazy Time's 25,000x. Adjust expectations accordingly.
Mobile Players
Playing on smartphone or tablet? Optimize your experience:
- Use landscape mode for the best view of the wheel and betting interface.
- Stable connection is critical. Switch to WiFi if mobile data is inconsistent.
- Disable notifications to avoid interruptions during betting windows.
- Check battery level. Live streaming games drain battery faster than typical apps.
- Touch responsiveness is optimized — tap precisely on bet types to avoid misclicks.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
After watching countless players (and making some of these mistakes myself), here are the pitfalls to avoid:
1. Betting Only on Huge Reds
The single segment means an average wait of 53 spins between triggers. Without sufficient bankroll, you'll deplete funds before seeing the bonus you're chasing. Budget for 100+ spins if focusing on Huge Reds.
2. Ignoring the Betting Timer
The 15-second window closes strictly. If you're still adjusting bets when time expires, you'll play the previous round's configuration (or nothing). Place essential bets first, then adjust.
3. Not Understanding Multiplier Stacking
Many players don't realize that wheel multipliers on bonus segments multiply ALL fish values. This understanding changes how you evaluate enhanced bonus segments.
4. Chasing Losses Aggressively
The fast pace makes it tempting to double bets after losses, trying to recover quickly. This typically accelerates losses instead. Stick to consistent bet sizes.
5. Playing Without Set Limits
The game's engaging pace can make time disappear. Set deposit limits, loss limits, or time limits before you start — and honor them regardless of whether you're winning or losing.