Wisconsin
Wisconsin is on top of the hit list when it comes to ice fishing, Green Bay is a basin of Lake Michigan that covers 2,000,000 acres and has some of the best ice fishing on the planet. Big water means big fish, and Green Bay has some of the biggest walleyes in the state. Fishing spots like the Fox River in De Pere, Sturgeon Bay, and Oconto are just a few of the top ice fishing spots holding big walleyes. Targeting 20 to 30 feet of water is generally the normal depth walleye’s live in during the winter. A 38-inch medium heavy action rod with a good ice fishing reel and jigging with a number seven jigging rap is a good bet to ice a trophy walleye. Don’t forget about whitefish, these finicky biters and fighters are great table fair and fun to catch. A good tip is to find a 12-24 foot shallow rocky shoreline break or a deep offshore break 60-80 feet using a Green Bay whitefish rig and tipping it with a wax worm. Hang on tight because a Green Bay whitefish can’t resist a gold spoon tapping the bottom. Still not having any luck? Come fish the legendary frozen waters of Green Bay with Trophy Ice Fish, the #1 ice fishing guide service in all of Door County. Our knowledgeable guides rely on years of local experience to ensure your time on the ice is safe and fun while putting you in the best position for a successful trip. Our team strategizes on the latest fish catching locations to put our clients on the best bites in Door County. Our guides instruct on jigging techniques to give your group the best experience possible regardless of your experience level. We provide transportation to and from our heated, ready-to-fish ice houses using our 6-passenger UTVs and tracked suburbans, so big groups or corporate events are always welcome. We offer our exclusive ‘Shore Lunch’ on the ice so customers can enjoy a hot lunch.
North Dakota
Devils Lake, North Dakota, is an ice fishing destination unlike anywhere else. I recently had a chance to go ice fishing on the lake and here are a few reasons I think ice anglers need to add Devils Lake to their bucket list. You will catch fish! When the bite slows down with walleye or perch, there are plenty of big pike that always give a good fight. Fish populations have kept up with the size of the lake over recent decades, and the lake is six times larger than it was 25 years ago! The wide-open lake can get you away from the crowds with sweet fishing spots all over the place. Don’t let the 180,000 acres intimidate you, there are numerous bait shops and maps available. Anyone can find great spots to fish without any experience on the lake. There are also plenty of terrific guides that would be happy to take you out on Devils Lake. Devils Lake is great for catching trophy perch, walleye, and pike all in the same trip. One thing you notice after you’ve gotten a few fish on Devils Lake is how healthy and fat the fish are. Large populations of fresh water shrimp accelerate the growth of perch and provide trickle-down forage for larger game fish. Big perch = huge pike. Every once in a while you can get into some nice white bass.
Minnesota
Ice fishing on Minnesota’s Lake of the Woods & Rainy River area truly offers a unique and satisfying winter experience. Each year more visitors return to the area as they hear by word-of-mouth from their friends or relatives about this exciting wilderness area. Sprawling Lake of the Woods is the largest inland freshwater lake in the continental U.S. next to the Great Lakes and is truly considered “big water” country. Even so, it doesn’t take long to get out on the ice where the action is waiting. There are over 50 resorts, sleeper services, and hotels in Lake of the Woods County. A wide range of winter services are offered. Visitors can have all the conveniences of home as they stay in a warm cabin, condo, motel, or sleeper fish house. Travel is available in heated track vehicles: van, bombardier (which seats 12); or by conventional trucks on plowed roads across the ice.
We understand that every state has something amazing to offer, and we definitely don’t expect everyone to agree with us. We’re biased when it comes to Wisconsin ice fishing, for us it truly is one of the best ice fishing states in the world. At Trophy Ice Fish we’d love to host anglers from all over the world. We’re eager to show just what makes Wisconsin ice fishing special.