With the cold season in full swing, many lakes across America have already formed a thick layer of frost. For some, the frozen waters spell the end of the fishing season, but for anglers that don’t mind the winter weather, it’s no obstacle. In fact, fishing in this time of year can be incredibly productive, as long as you know where to go. To give you some ideas, we’ve compiled a list of the best ice fishing destinations in the US.
We’ve searched far and wide to put together ten lakes where the fish will be biting with fervor even when it gets chilly outside. So if you’re planning an angling vacation this winter, here’s where you’ll find some inspiration!
Bemidji, MN
Home to the headwaters of the mighty Mississippi River, Bemidji has angling running through its veins. But besides the Great River, this small city also boasts access to dozens of fantastic lakes. Come wintertime, Bemidji is a destination that will provide you with a picture-perfect setting for ice fishing.
What’s great about this Minnesotan city is that it’s close to both big lakes and numerous small ponds. This gives you an advantage during the ice fishing season because smaller bodies of water freeze sooner, making them safer in early winter. Among others, popular fishing lakes in this part of the state include Lake Bemidji, Red Lake, Leech Lake, and Lake Winnibigoshish.
In these, you’ll get to ice fish primarily for big Yellow Perch and Walleye, although Northern Pike are in the mix, too. The hardwater season is lengthy in Minnesota, usually starting in early December and extending all the way into March.
Bemidji is a winter wonderland, even if you don’t want to spend all your time fishing. It’s a fantastic destination for skiing, snowboarding, snowmobiling, skating, and just about anything on ice. Simply make your way to the charming Buena Vista Ski Area which lies just north of the city, and you’ll get to experience it all.
Moosehead Lake, ME
Owing its name to its unique shape, Moosehead Lake is Maine’s premier freshwater fishery. It’s a lake that offers good fishing throughout the year. This, of course, includes the period between January and April when its waters are typically frozen.
During the winter season, Moosehead Lake offers an interesting mix of species you can ice fish for. Native Brook Trout are typically what anglers focus on the most, but there are also Salmon, Cusk, and Togue. What are those last two fish, you ask? They’re known elsewhere as Burbot and Lake Trout!
By mid-January, the ice on Moosehead Lake should be thick enough to drill and fish through. However, if that turns out not to be the case when you visit, there are smaller lakes in the region you could head to instead. Brassua Lake, Indian Pond, Prong Pond, and Spencer Pond are all good options if the big lake lacks ice.
On a similar note, the region surrounding Moosehead Lake boasts incredible natural scenery, making it the perfect winter destination even if you’re not strictly going to fish. If you’re into skiing, there are magnificent slopes nearby. Base your adventure out of Greenville, as it’s the largest town on the lake.
Eleven Mile Reservoir, CO
A repeat from our list for 2024, Eleven Mile Reservoir remains one of the best destinations for ice fishing this year, too! Its breathtaking mountainscape, combined with fishing that’s extremely exciting despite the freezing temperatures, makes this spot unbeatable if you’re looking for a place to travel this winter.
But what exactly makes Eleven Mile Reservoir so great? If we’re talking about fishing, it’s the trophy Trout that inhabit this body of water. Specimens topping 17 inches in length will come as no surprise while fishing here. As for species, there are Rainbow, Brown, and Cutthroat Trout. And while Trout are certainly the main attraction, Northern Pike and Kokanee also fall among possible catches.
The reservoir plays host to a yearly ice fishing tournament that takes place across January, February, and March. There are campgrounds along the lake that are open throughout the winter, though they’re electric-only. Alternatively, there are various cabins available for rent in the nearby Lake George community. From there, you’ll get to enjoy some of the most incredible surroundings in America.
Saginaw Bay, MI
If you look at Michigan on a map, you’ll see that the shape of its Lower Peninsula resembles a mitten. And the space that separates the “thumb” from the rest of the “hand” is Saginaw Bay. It’s a popular Lake Huron fishery regardless of the season, but it really shines once the waters are all frozen.
The main delicacy you’ll have the opportunity to reel in out here is Walleye. These fish are both abundant in the bay and they come in good sizes. Generally, you can catch Walleye even if you stay close to shore. However, for the best action, hop on a snowmobile ride and head about 10 miles into Saginaw Bay. Here, fish will bite all day long.
The only caveat when it comes to ice fishing in Saginaw Bay is that it needs to be really cold for it to be safe to fish on, especially if you plan to head far onto the water. Some years, the ice gets thick enough by the end of January. Other times, you’ll have to wait well into February for the conditions to get right. But even if the ice is too thin on the bay, you’ll often be able to ice fish on the Saginaw River instead.
Saginaw is the biggest city in the area, positioned on the river and just a short drive from the bay. Both it and Bay City which lies just north offer plenty of activities and places to explore. Museums, restaurants, shops… You name it, these two cities have it all.
Rhinelander, WI
Found in the very heart of Wisconsin’s Northwoods, Rhinelander is a charming city that’s all about wintertime. But between all the festivities and outdoor activities, angling remains one of the most popular pastimes even when it gets freezing. In fact, the hardwater season gets so much attention here that Rhinelander dubs itself the “Ice Fishing Capital of the World.”
Fishing in Rhinelander, you’ll mainly get to target Walleye, Northern Pike, and plenty of Bluegill and other Panfish. Besides Boom Lake, which you’ll find in the city itself, the wider Northwoods region is home to numerous other lakes that offer excellent ice fishing. These include Lake George, Moen Lake Chain, Lake Thompson, as well as other smaller ponds. In short, the options are plentiful and absolutely amazing!
While Rhinelander may be a small city, it’s wonderful in wintertime. It features numerous cross-country skiing and snowshoe trails. And if you’re into downhill skiing, there are slopes nearby at a center called Camp 10. Within the city itself, you’ll find cozy breweries, restaurants, as well as museums, and a planetarium. You can even try going on a mythical Hodag hunt!
Presque Isle Bay, PA
Pennsylvania only possesses a relatively small stretch of Lake Erie’s shoreline, but it’s the site of one of the region’s most productive bays in terms of angling. During the open water season, Presque Isle Bay is a Bass fishing heaven. But even in the depths of winter, when the waters are encased in ice, there’s fish to catch.
Visit this part of Lake Erie anytime from late December to March, and you’ll get to ice fish for delicious Crappie, Perch, and Northern Pike. On rare occasions, anglers might hook into Steelhead as well, but you can consider yourself seriously lucky if that happens. The most popular spots for ice fishing in the area are Horseshoe Pond and Misery Bay, as well as the head of Presque Isle Bay itself.
Erie, the city that lies on Presque Isle Bay, is pretty sizable. This means there’ll be plenty of fun things to do even when it’s winter. The downtown is full of different eateries, local shops, and entertainment venues. Meanwhile, just outside the city, you can enjoy all the standard winter activities including skiing, snowboarding, and more.
Fort Peck Lake, MT
Situated in Montana’s portion of the Great Plains, Fort Peck Lake is the largest lake in the state. The region surrounding it is sparsely populated, with no large cities for hundreds of miles. This has allowed the lake to remain relatively undisturbed, allowing fish in it to thrive and grow to impressive sizes.
In wintertime, Fort Peck Lake turns into arguably one of the best ice fishing destinations in the entire US. The waters typically freeze in December, kicking off an incredible hardwater season that lasts all the way through March.
The fish you can target on Fort Peck include Walleye, Lake Trout, and Northern Pike. All three of these species grow to trophy sizes in the lake, and they’ll be ravenous during winter. Since you’ll be venturing to a remote region, pairing up with a guide is essential. They’ll provide you with the necessary equipment to keep your adventure comfortable and share their knowledge of the lake.
The largest city for over 100 miles is Glasgow, found just north of the lake. It’s a small place, but it’s where you’ll find shops, a few local restaurants, and other amenities you might need during your trip. As for accommodation, you can find lodging on Fort Peck Lake itself.
Lake Cascade, ID
With an alpine backdrop and a lush forest surrounding it, Lake Cascade offers a glimpse of Idaho’s beauty in its full glory. And while it’s a fantastic place to visit for its scenery, the lake becomes even more enjoyable once you cast your line in its waters. This is true even in winter, when Lake Cascade becomes one of the best ice fishing destinations across the entire country.
The lake is famous for the jumbo Yellow Perch that prowl its waters. In fact, Lake Cascade holds the current state record for this fish, as well as several previous ones. In addition to delicious Perch, you’ll also get to catch Rainbow Trout through the ice. And although they’re much more popular targets during the open water season, ice anglers occasionally hook into Coho Salmon and Kokanee as well.
You can base your adventure out of Donnelly or Cascade, two rural cities that lie along the lake’s western shores. Here, you’ll find cozy inns as well as a few basic stores and restaurants. More importantly, you’ll have access to both the lake and the numerous snowy trails that you can explore on foot or snowmobile.
Caples Lake, CA
Nestled away in the Sierra Nevada mountains at a height of 7,800 feet, Caples Lake features pristine, clear waters and striking scenery all around it. And while California may not be the first state you’d associate with ice fishing, this is a destination where you can definitely partake in this activity during winter.
Thanks to the high elevation, the lake typically forms a steady layer of frost in the first half of January. This is when you’ll be able to drill through the ice and catch Rainbow, Brown, and Mackinaw Trout. The fish grow to excellent sizes in the lake, with some reaching 20 inches.
Along the lake’s shores, you’ll find a small resort community in Kirkwood, where you’ll be able to find accommodation year-round. The Kirkwood area is one of the snowiest regions in California, making it a great skiing destination, in addition to fishing. The region often draws in expert skiers, as it’s home to some of the toughest trails in the country and beyond.
Lake Oahe, SD/ND
Last year, we featured North Dakota’s famous Devils Lake as our final entry. The ice fishing is still fantastic there, of course. However, this year we’d like to shine a light on Lake Oahe instead. This long reservoir that stretches across the South Dakota–North Dakota border offers fantastic winter angling whether you’re looking for variety or trophy catches.
The ice fishing season here usually lasts from the beginning of January to mid-March. Throughout this period, you’ll get to reel in limits of Walleye, monster-sized Northern Pike, Catfish, big Yellow Perch, and Crappie.
As Lake Oahe stretches over 200 miles, you could have a completely different experience depending on where you go. This includes the capitals of both Dakotas – Pierre in the south and Bismarck in the north. Choose one of these as your starting point or base your adventure out of a number of rural towns along the reservoir’s path… Either way, you’re in for an epic ice fishing experience.
Ice Fishing: The Perfect Wintertime Activity
And so, we come to the end of our list of the best ice fishing destinations in the US. Between all the amazing fisheries out there, we’re well aware the places we featured are just a few of the many that offer thrilling action during winter. But if our picks inspired you to fish this winter, we’ll consider it a success. So bundle up, break out the auger, rod, and shanty, and get ready to reel in some fish!
Are there any lakes you’d add to the list? Let us know in the comments below! Also, if you’d like to read more about the top ice fishing spots in the US, have a look at our article from last year!
The post The 10 Best Ice Fishing Destinations in the US for 2025 appeared first on FishingBooker Blog.
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