Wisconsin may officially be known as the Badger State, but for fishing enthusiasts, the unofficial nickname should be ice fishing capital of the world. Depending on who you ask, Wisconsin has anywhere between 11,842 and 15,074 lakes. For anglers, this means a lifetime of fishing opportunities.
As one of the Great Lake states, Wisconsin has hundreds of miles of coastline on Lake Michigan and Lake Superior. But its reputation as a premier destination for ice fishing comes from the thousands of inland lakes that massive glaciers and ancient ice sheets left behind after the end of the last ice age.
There is no shortage of places to choose from, but these are the best ice fishing lakes in Wisconsin.
1. Black Oak Lake
One of Wisconsin’s finest ice fishing spots is nestled in the state’s far northern reaches, near its border with Michigan’s Upper Peninsula. As far as Wisconsin’s inland lakes go, Black Oak Lake isn’t very large, covering just 564 acres. Its waters are as clear as any body of water in the entire state of Wisconsin.
The modest surface area of Black Oak Lake, combined with its location, typically means that this lake is one of the first to freeze over each winter. This early ice along with an abundance of prized ice fishing species, makes Black Oak Lake immensely popular among anglers.
What You Need to Know About Ice Fishing at Black Oak Lake
Black Oak Lake is fairly deep for its small size, with a maximum depth of 85 feet. This provides a sizable water column for fish to gather at varying depths. If you know the feeding habits of the fish you’re targeting, along with where they like to hang out, you will drastically improve your chances for success.
Here is a sampling of the types of fish you can expect to find here:
- Panfish including bluegill, crappie, and perch.
- Largemouth bass and smallmouth bass
- Northern pike
If your primary ice fishing target is panfish, keep your setup light and nimble. Bluegill are particularly finicky, so use a 2 to 4-pound test line with minimal tackle. Remember that most panfish species have small mouths so use small hooks and baits to encourage strikes.
2. Boom Lake
Another small lake with a big reputation for fantastic ice fishing is Boom Lake. Covering a modest 365 acres, Boom Lake isn’t very deep either – 30 feet at its deepest point. But make no mistake, Boom Lake is one of Wisconsin’s top ice fishing destinations and anglers come from all around to try their luck here.
Boom Lake is located in the town of Rhinelander, which is in a part of Wisconsin known as Hodag Country. Interestingly, the Hodag is a mythical creature with horns and claws that is closely associated with the area.
Rhinelander is famous for another reason as well. The town has earned the nickname “Ice Fishing Capital of the World”, and Boom Lake is a big reason for this recognition.
What You Need to Know About Ice Fishing at Boom Lake
There are half a dozen species that can be found in Boom Lake. These are the top targets for anglers during ice fishing season:
- Bluegill, crappie, and perch are the most plentiful fish in Boom Lake during ice fishing season.
- Largemouth bass are another popular target.
- Muskies are another big draw each winter.
- Northern pike can also be found and there are decent-sized specimens lurking in Boom Lake.
Given its relatively small surface area and reputation as a top spot for ice fishing, the ice on Boom Lake can get crowded with anglers and ice shanties. There is plenty of room for everybody and distancing yourself from other people may be rewarded with a good day’s catch.
3. Dairyland Reservoir
Situated on the Flambeau River in Rusk County, Dairyland Reservoir is one of the premier ice fishing spots in Wisconsin. Covering an area of 1,870 acres and measuring 70 feet at its deepest point, Dairyland Reservoir has become a favorite winter destination for anglers all around the Great Lakes region.
Although the dam was completed in 1951, it wasn’t until 2007 that Dairyland Reservoir received authorization from Wisconsin’s Department of Natural Resources (DNR) to begin work to enhance this body of water as a habitat for fish. Through the years, this has involved:
- Placing over 10,000 yards of cubic rock onto the reservoir’s bottom
- Submerging over 5,000 trees to provide underwater vegetation
- Other habitat improvement work has included creating rock piles, depositing gravel, and adding features like logs, stumps, and artificial weeds
The pursuit of setting up this body of water as a place where fish could thrive is a true success story. Dairyland Reservoir is a premier fishing destination, particularly during the winter months.
What You Need to Know About Ice Fishing at Dairyland Reservoir
If you’re planning an ice fishing trip to Dairyland Reservoir, here are the most popular fish species you can expect to target:
- The most abundant species, and perhaps the biggest draw to this reservoir during the winter months, is walleye. Tip-ups baited with small minnows work well (always check local fishing regulations). Set your depth anywhere from 6 to 20 feet, depending on the water clarity.
- Dairyland Reservoir is also home to good numbers of smallmouth bass and muskies.
- Other species you can fish here include northern pike, sturgeon, largemouth bass, and a variety of panfish such as bluegill and crappie.
The DNR establishes fishing regulations throughout the state and rules can vary from one location to another. Always check to see what rules apply to the particular location you plan to ice fish. For example, many lakes enforce catch-and-release rules for certain species or sizes of fish.
4. Green Bay
Although it is technically not an inland lake, Green Bay is Wisconsin’s most famous body of water. It is the name of the state’s third-largest city and an iconic sports team, but it is also a top spot for ice fishing in the Land of 10,000 Lakes, which is saying a lot.
What You Need to Know About Ice Fishing at Green Bay
Because it is an arm of Lake Michigan, Green Bay presents unique challenges to anglers. Winters in Wisconsin are cold but the conditions at Green Bay can be downright nasty at times. In addition, ice conditions can vary wildly depending on the time of year and the particular location.
This is all to say that if you’re planning to venture out to Green Bay for some world-class ice fishing, check the weather first and drop in on local bait shops to find out current ice conditions. The fish you can catch here make all this preparation worth the effort:
- When it comes to ice fishing at Green Bay, the name of the game is walleye. There are trophy-sized specimens here and your best bet for landing one is to use a medium rod with a #7 jigging lure. Drop your presentation to a depth of around 20-30 feet and adjust as needed.
- The other top target during ice fishing season at Green Bay is whitefish. Not only do they put up a good fight when hooked, they are among the best-tasting species in the Great Lakes area. Glittery spoons and jigs tipped with artificial worms work well.
Cutting a hole in the ice may not be the first thing that comes to mind when you think of Green Bay, Wisconsin, but even Packers fans and the famous cheeseheads will tell you that the frigid waters here are home to some of the best ice fishing around.
5. Green Lake
Not to be outdone by its more famous counterpart (i.e., Green Bay) to the north, Green Lake is an ice fishing haven in its own right. Located in the heart of Wisconsin, Green Lake has a respectable 7,920 acres of surface area. For this reason, it is known to many locals as Big Green Lake.
Measuring 236 feet at its very bottom, Green Lake is also very deep. In fact, it is Wisconsin’s deepest, naturally-occurring inland lake. Surrounded by three beaches and six public parks, the clear waters of Green Lake make for one of the most scenic locations anywhere in Wisconsin.
What You Need to Know About Ice Fishing at Green Lake
Getting to your favorite ice fishing spot on Green Lake is made easier by the numerous public access points spread around the lake. Aside from the public beaches and parks, there are also eight boat launches, and these are popular staging areas for anglers during the winter months.
As far as fish species, here’s what you can expect to find at Green Lake:
- The most abundant fish are smallmouth bass, catfish, and trout.
- Also present in decent numbers are various types of panfish, including perch, crappie, and bluegill.
- Less common species that can be caught at Green Lake if you’re patient (and lucky) enough, are northern pike, largemouth bass, and walleye.
Because Green Lake is quite deep in spots, it is important to keep the large water column in mind when ice fishing throughout the day. If the fish aren’t biting at first, you should consider varying the depth of your tip-up or jig to find them and encourage strikes.
6. Lake Winnebago
With a surface area of just under 132,000 acres, Lake Winnebago is Wisconsin’s largest inland lake and one of its premier ice fishing destinations. The maximum depth of this lake is 21 feet which brings the action pretty close to the ice no matter where you cut your hole and drop your line.
Despite its immense size, accessing your favorite ice fishing spot is not a problem at Lake Winnebago. There are plenty of access points all around the lake, including:
- More than a dozen public parks
- Twenty boat landing areas
- A public beach
Because it covers such a large area, ice thickness can vary wildly across the lake. To ensure angler safety, it is highly recommended to check in with local guides and bait shops to find out where the ice may be thin, especially early or late in the ice fishing season.
While you’re at it, picking a few brains for what’s biting and on what bait can’t hurt.
What You Need to Know About Ice Fishing at Lake Winnebago
Lake Winnebago supports a number of fish species within its massive basin. These are the most popular species you can expect to target at Lake Winnebago during Wisconsin’s ice fishing season:
- Panfish – these species are plentiful in Lake Winnebago and tend to gather among the plentiful vegetation at the bottom of the lake. Early into ice fishing season, panfish can be caught closer to shore. But as you get deeper into winter, be prepared to move toward the center of the lake.
- Sturgeon – this species is a Lake Winnebago ice fishing staple and bona fide trophy specimens lurk below the ice. In 2004, a 188-pound sturgeon was caught in these waters.
- Walleye – jigging spoons work well for walleye and other schooling fish. Be willing to follow schools as they move about the lake. Your patience will be rewarded.
- Other species – there are other species that can be caught from Lake Winnebago during ice fishing season, but they are not as plentiful as panfish, sturgeon, and walleye. These include largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, northern pike, and muskie.
If your plan to ice fish at Lake Winnebago consists of cutting one opening in the ice and spending the whole day in your ice shanty working said hole, you may want to reconsider that strategy. Locals and experienced Lake Winnebago anglers all agree that adaptability is the key to a successful day on the ice.
What does this mean? First of all, be prepared (and willing) to put that augur to good use and cut multiple holes in the ice. Second, you may need to move around a bit, depending on the bite. Lastly, have a backup plan or two, be it a different presentation for your bait or an entirely different setup.
Final Thoughts
Wisconsin may be known to many for its cheese, being the birthplace of Harley Davidson, and its beloved Green Bay Packers. But for outdoor enthusiasts, Wisconsin and its thousands of lakes is arguably the ice fishing capital of the world.
SOURCES:
https://apps.dnr.wi.gov/lakes/lakepages/LakeDetail.aspx?wbic=1630100
https://apps.dnr.wi.gov/lakes/lakepages/LakeDetail.aspx?wbic=1580200
https://wisconsinhistory.org/Records/Article/CS16353
https://apps.dnr.wi.gov/lakes/lakepages/LakeDetail.aspx?wbic=2229200
https://dairylandpower.com/dairyland-reservoir-recreational-opportunities-0
https://dnr.wisconsin.gov/sites/default/files/topic/Fishing/Icefish_WEIceFishTips.pdf
https://trophyicefish.com/2020/09/08/best-ice-fishing-spots-in-wisconsin/
https://www.visitgreenlake.com/things-to-do/fishing/
https://apps.dnr.wi.gov/lakes/lakepages/LakeDetail.aspx?wbic=146100
https://apps.dnr.wi.gov/lakes/lakepages/LakeDetail.aspx?wbic=131100
