Winter is an interesting time of year in Wisconsin. Even though the snow has started to fall, and the temperature has dropped, there are still plenty of outdoor activities to enjoy. While some people may be itching to get back on the golf course or in their boat, others are anticipating ice fishing season – since most lakes in the area have completely frozen over.
Ice fishing is a great way for friends and family to get together this winter and enjoy what nature has to offer. It’s also a great way to enjoy the sport from a different perspective because there are several unique opportunities when it comes to ice fishing on Wisconsin Lakes. We have listed below a few of the best ice fishing lakes in Northern Wisconsin just for you.
Green Bay
Green Bay is one of the most popular ice fishing lakes in Wisconsin. It has a surface area of about 1,626 square miles and a maximum depth of about 20 miles. The bay freezes over most years and provides anglers with a variety of fishing opportunities. It is home to many different species of fish, including salmon, musky, walleye, pike, and brown trout.
Since it hosts Walleye Series Tournament every year, this lake receives more pressure from anglers than any other Walleye fishery in North America. If you want to catch some trophy fish, we advise you to use live minnows as bait.
Big Saint Germain Lake
Big Saint Germain Lake is a great option for ice fishing in Northern Wisconsin. It is located in Vilas County and is known as a great ice fishing destination. The lake is 1,622 acres and has a maximum depth of 42 feet.
Some of the fish you can expect to grab are walleye, northern pike, panfish, and musky.
Lake Winnebago
Although technically not “Norther Wisconsin”, this centrally located lake is the largest inland lake in Wisconsin. It is 30 miles wide by 10 miles long and covers a total area of 137,700 acres. The maximum depth is 21 feet, and it has more than 85 miles of shoreline. Ice fishermen target bluegill, perch, crappie, and bass through the ice here.
Other species include northern pike, white bass, catfish, and panfish. Ice shacks are also found throughout the lake, with most anglers targeting walleye moving between shallower water and deep-water drop-offs.
Black Oak Lake
Located just outside of Hayward, Black Oak Lake is one of the most popular lakes in the state for ice fishing. It’s a medium-sized lake with about 564 acres, and it’s deep — more than 85 feet in some places. That makes it a good place to get walleye and panfish through the ice. It also has large populations of smallmouth bass, largemouth bass, and trout. You can fish for walleye in early spring before spawning season, or you can catch them during the months of October through February.
There are two public landings on the lake — one at each end —but they’re only open during the summer months. Otherwise, it’s best to fish from shore or hike across the lake on foot if you want to avoid paying a day-use fee to launch your boat or vehicle over the ice at one of the private ramps.
Dairyland Reservoir
Dairyland Reservoir is an 1870-acre impoundment on the Flambeau River in northern Wisconsin. The reservoir is fed by the Chippewa River, which flows into its northern end, as well as by several smaller rivers, creeks, and streams that flow into its southern end.
The flowage is a very popular spot among anglers due to its excellent walleye fishing. It also offers decent fishing for pike and panfish, while largemouth bass is sometimes caught here as well. The lake’s rocky shoreline makes it an ideal place to try your luck using ice jigs tipped with minnows or waxworms. Also, make sure to try out some gold and silver spinners!
Boom Lake
With a maximum depth of 30 feet, Boom Lake is a hidden gem in Northern Wisconsin. It is one of the area’s most popular lakes due to its pristine clarity and clear water. It’s located just a few miles east of Beal City and has several public access points that make it very accessible. Boom Lake is also part of the famous “Five Lakes Chain”, which includes RhinelanderLake, Thunder Lake, Lake Creek, Bass Lake, and Boom Lake.
Boom Lake is also known for its long-running tournament and its incredible panfish population, with bluegills and crappies being the most popular species to target. Fishermen often catch crappies over 15 inches long on this lake! The lake also has a large population of northern pike and walleye. So, if you are in the mood of catching walleye, then this could be your ideal destination.
Takeaway
From Alice Lake to Green Bay, there is no shortage of amazing places to ice fish in northern Wisconsin, and all of them are worth exploring. Whether you’re a veteran dedicated to one specific spot or just out looking for a new spot to try, take your pick from this list, and you can’t go wrong!