Hooked on Winter: Your Guide to Ice Fishing in Wisconsin

By Kevin Revolinski | Photo by WDH Guide Service – Jeff Van Remortel

As Wisconsin’s lakes freeze over, the state transforms into a paradise for ice anglers. From sprawling bodies of water like Green Bay to quiet northern retreats like the Minocqua Chain of Lakes, winter fishing becomes more than a pastime – it’s a tradition that draws families, friends and adventurous anglers onto the ice.

Whether you’re a seasoned pro or a curious beginner, Wisconsin’s thousands of lakes offer abundant opportunities to catch walleye, pike, perch, and more beneath the frozen surface. To get you started, we’ve compiled expert advice from professional guides and highlighted the best ice-fishing hotspots across the state, where you can embrace the cold and reel in the fun this season.

“I like to be outdoors,” says Jeff Van Remortel of WDH Guide Service (WisconsinMuskyFishingGuide.com), based out of Minocqua and guiding in Vilas and Oneida counties. “And when it is winter, there’s not a lot to do other than snowmobiling and skiing. But fishing’s always been in my blood, so ice fishing is a natural fit.”

Bret Alexander of Alexander’s Sport Fishing (IceFishGreenBay.com) guides out on the ice of Green Bay on Lake Michigan. Alexander says it is hard to predict when the ice will get thick enough, but “in the past, usually by the first week in January, we’re always rolling.” Ice forms faster on the shallower lakes and sooner up north.

Both Alexander and Van Remortel have fished since they were little kids. Their clients are all ages. “I get a lot families, husband and wife with kids, groups of guys, of course, and plenty of women’s groups come out,” said Alexander. He also guides for ice-fishing bachelor parties each year.

There are thousands of lakes in Wisconsin, so finding a spot to cut a hole in the ice isn’t very hard. We gathered some of the most popular areas throughout the state and spoke to two professional guides about the sport.

NORTH

Minocqua’s Chain of Lakes

Minocqua Chain of Lakes is a long series of six lakes all suited for anglers, including the 1,339-acre Minocqua Lake, which surrounds the island-like town of Minocqua, and 3,462-acre Tomahawk Lake, which also hosts a fishing tournament. Bass fishing is the tops here, but you can also catch musky, pike, panfish, and walleye, though the latter is catch and release only.

Chequamegon Bay

This 34,000-acre bay on Lake Superior lies between Ashland and Washburn and maxes out at a depth of 28 feet. The variety of fish species is remarkable and includes various trouts, salmon, perch, whitefish, walleye, smelt and burbot, as well as musky, bass and bluegill.

Boom Lake

Rhinelander bills itself the Ice Fishing Capital of the World, and right in town is the 365-acre Boom Lake, a flowage on the Wisconsin River. Fish for pike, bass and a lot of panfish, and watch for ice-fishing tournaments in February.

NORTHEAST

Green Bay

“It’s among the best walleye fishing spots in Wisconsin,” says Alexander. Other species include whitefish, rainbow trout, pike, and largemouth and smallmouth bass. Anglers need to be aware of pressure cracks, hot spots and wind, variables amateurs might not want to deal with. Professional guides set up ice shanties, inspect ice daily and provide safety support.

Lake Winnebago

At nearly 132,000 acres, this is the state’s largest lake (outside the Great Lakes) and surrounded by access points and metro areas. Its maximum depth is 21 feet. Anglers catch walleye, musky, pike, panfish and catfish.

Shawano Lake

About a half hour northwest of Green Bay, the 6,200- acre lake is good for musky, walleye, pike, largemouth bass, bluegill, perch and crappie.

SOUTH

Lake Geneva

You can catch northern pike, walleye and even some trout, but the southern location of this popular lake destination means ice will form a bit later and thaw a bit sooner.

Madison’s Chain of Lakes

Connected by the Yahara River, Lakes Mendota, Monona, and Waubesa are right in the capital city with abundant, easy access points from city and county parks, and farther down the chain is Kegonsa. Fish include walleye, pike, musky, bluegill and perch.

WEST

Dairyland Reservoir

Created by a dam on the Flambeau River, the 1,870-acre lake offers 24 miles of shoreline and a maximum depth of 70 feet. Expect an abundant amount of bass, northern pike, walleye and panfish at one of the most popular ice-fishing destinations in this area of the state.

Lake Onalaska

Just north of La Crosse, this is a 7,688-acre flowage created by Dam #7 on the Mississippi River and part of the Upper Mississippi National Wildlife and Fish Refuge. Catch panfish, largemouth and smallmouth bass, pike and walleye, and watch for ice fishing derbies scheduled each season.

EXPERT TIPS

1. Inexperienced ice fishers shouldn’t go out alone.
2. Dress warm, of course, but in particular, use pac boots, with a thick rubber lower shell. Ice cleats to strap over boots are useful to avoid slipping.
3. Mittens keep fingers warmer than gloves.
4. Those over age 16 must have a fishing license, and special stamps for salmon and trout, from the Wisconsin DNR. Size limits and bag limits for particular species still apply.
5. Beginners should start on tip-ups: “It’s a really fun way to get into the sport versus having to learn how to jig,” says Van Mortel.
6. Beginners can use a special attachment for a hand drill rather than invest in an auger right away.
7. For your phone, get a mapping program that shows lake contour and depth, such as Navionics or LakeMaster.
8. Always be aware of ice stability, even more so in early and late in the season.
9. “The deeper the lake, the longer it usually takes to get good ice,” says Van Remortel. “Three to four inches of good clear ice is all you need for walking,” he added in reference to most lakes -not Michigan or Superior.
10. No ice is ever completely safe; call local bait shops for ice reports.