The Best Ice Fishing Lakes in Minnesota

Minnesota’s official state motto is The North Star State. But to proud Minnesotans, the state is known as the Land of 10,000 Lakes. And to anglers throughout the Great Lakes and Upper Midwest areas, the state of Minnesota is a freshwater fishing haven, especially during ice fishing season.

According to the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR), the number of lakes (defined as being 10 acres or larger) in the Land of 10,000 Lakes is actually more than advertised – 11,842 to be exact. All told, Minnesota’s lakes and rivers total more than 2 ½ million acres.

With so many bodies of water lying within its borders, it should come as no surprise that fishing is a popular outdoor activity in Minnesota. And with its famously cold and bitter winters, Minnesota is prime ice fishing country. These are the best ice fishing lakes in the Land of 10,000 Lakes.

Rather Watch Our Video on Minnesota’s Ice Fishing Lakes? (watch below)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Siws5ZTHrxY

The Best Ice Fishing Lakes in Minnesota (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Siws5ZTHrxY)

1. Bde Maka Ska

If you think that you have to drive for hours and hours to some remote wilderness to access great ice fishing in Minnesota, you may want to reconsider. Bde Maka Ska is proof positive that good ice and fantastic ice fishing can be found near big cities. Or, in the case of Bde Maka Ska, within them.

Bde Maka Ska (pronounced “bee-day-ma-KHA-skah”) means “white earth lake” in the Indigenous Dakota peoples’ language. It is found within the city limits of Minneapolis and the downtown skyline can be seen from its shores. Here’s how Bde Maka Ska measures up:

At 419 acres, Bde Maka Ska is modestly sized by Minnesota standards, but it is perfect for a lake in an urban setting.
The average depth of Bde Maka Ska is 30 feet and the lake bottoms out at a maximum of 72 feet.
There are just over 3 miles of shoreline circling this lake. Perfect for a nice stroll or accessing your favorite ice fishing spot.

Being an urban lake in the middle of Minneapolis, Bde Maka Ska is as accessible as a lake can get. Multiple bus lines run right up to it and there are public amenities like restrooms, picnic tables, a playground, and even canoe rentals.

What You Need to Know About Ice Fishing at Bde Maka Ska

Although it is conveniently found in the heart of Minnesota’s largest city, Bde Maka Ska offers world-class ice fishing. The waters of Bde Maka Ska are home to over half a dozen species of fish, nearly of all which can be targeted during ice fishing season.

The most popular fish at Bde Maka Ska during the winter months include:

Crappie – this fish is one of the most highly sought targets at Bde Maka Ska during ice fishing season. You may have to chase after them as they tend to wander about under the ice. But your patience will be rewarded with a good boost of adrenalin if you get a bite.
Northern pike – found throughout the Great Lakes region, northern pike is a big draw at Bde Maka Ska during the winter months. This fish can be found at widely varying depths so be prepared to work the entire water column.
Walleye – another ice fishing staple. A good place to start is areas with underwater vegetation. You may need to switch things up if your initial setup isn’t working. Begin with live minnows but keep those shiny spoons handy if the walleye aren’t biting.

If ice fishing seems like a lot of hassle requiring extensive planning and travel, think again. The best ice fishing in Minnesota could be right under your nose, especially if you live in the greater Minneapolis-St. Paul area.

2. Gull Lake

In the heart of Minnesota lies Gull Lake, one of Minnesota’s premier ice fishing destinations. With its central location just a short drive north of the town of Brainerd, Gull Lake is on every hardwater angler’s shortlist of go-to spots for great ice fishing.

Here’s a snapshot of Gull Lake:

At 10,010 acres, Gull Lake is a decent-sized body of water. (Although compared to Minnesota’s largest lakes, it is quite tiny.)
Gull Lake has 46 miles of winding, twisting shoreline creating a number of coves and inlets where various species of fish like to hang out.
The water levels closer to Gull Lake’s shoreline tend to be quite shallow but further out in the basin, the depth can plunge to a maximum of 80 feet.

As is quite the case all over Minnesota, Gull Lake is nestled in a landscape that is dotted with hundreds of nearby lakes. But as far as ice fishing is concerned, Gull Lake has earned a reputation among anglers as being one of the best spots in the entire state, which is saying a lot.

What You Need to Know About Ice Fishing at Gull Lake

What makes a lake a good spot for ice fishing? It takes the right combination of location, size, depth, and of course, the types of fish that call it home. Gull Lake checks all of these boxes, especially when it comes to the amazing variety of fish that can be caught here.

Gull Lake is held in such high regard as an ice fishing hotspot that North America’s largest ice fishing competition, the Ice Fishing Extravaganza, has been held on its ice. For years, thousands of hardwater anglers have gathered at Gull Lake to compete for prizes and bragging rights.

Here is a sampling of the top ice fishing targets at Gull Lake:

Bluegill
Common carp

Crappie
Largemouth and smallmouth bass
Muskie

Northern pike
Perch
Pumpkinseed

Rock bass
Walleye

If you’re into rod-in-hand ice fishing, versus setting up tip-ups, you better brush up on your jigging techniques. A light, responsive rod with a brightly colored ice fishing jig is your basic setup. Tipping with worms works well for panfish, while the larger species like pike and walleye, prefer minnows and shiners.

3. Lake Harriet

Lake Harriet is another urban lake proving that in Minnesota, great ice fishing can be found anywhere, including in its biggest cities. Lake Harriet is part of the famed Chain of Lakes, a series of lakes (there are 5 of them, including Bde Maka Ska on this list) located in southwest Minneapolis.

Aside from providing city dwellers with picture-perfect scenery, Lake Harriet offers a host of visitor-friendly amenities. From bike paths to playgrounds to paddleboard rentals, this urban oasis has it all. Here’s how Lake Harriet measures up:

At just a hair over 341 acres, Lake Harriet is a small lake by area. But within its waters, big excitement awaits anglers who visit during the winter months.

Despite its modest size, Lake Harriet is fairly deep, with an average depth of 29 feet and a maximum depth of 87 feet.
Lake Harriet has 7 miles of shoreline. Perfect for a stroll or bike ride during the warmer months, and fantastic for providing hardwater anglers great access to the ice during Minnesota’s ice fishing season.

Lake Harriet is just a few city blocks south of Bde Maka Ska. The fact that 2 world-class ice fishing lakes are located so close to each other is proof positive that Minnesota (and Minneapolis) is a hardwater angler’s paradise.

What You Need to Know About Ice Fishing at Lake Harriet

One of the notable things about Minnesota lakes is the incredible diversity of fish species that they hold. While many lakes throughout the Great Lakes region support half a dozen or so types of fish, it’s not uncommon for a single lake in Minnesota to have several dozen species of fish thriving in its waters.

This is certainly the case for Lake Harriet. According to the Minnesota DNR, there are 23 different types of fish that call Lake Harriet home. Among them, these are the top targets during ice fishing season:

Bluegill – this species consistently ranks as one of the most popular ice fishing targets in all of Minnesota. Daily limits vary from one lake to another, so be sure to check local regulations before heading out to Lake Harriet.

Crappie – this is another highly sought after fish at Lake Harriet. A lightweight jigging rod is your best setup and tipping with small minnows is sure to attract strikes.
Northern pike – throughout Minnesota, northern pike are common and plentiful. They are aggressive predators and put up a good fight once hooked so bring a heavier rod and beefier tackle if this is what you’re after.
Walleye – if this seems like a recurring theme, it’s because walleye is one of the most popular targets throughout Minnesota. Lake Harriet is home to a healthy walleye population. Although they can be elusive and finicky, a successful angler is rewarded with delicious, flaky fillets.

If you’re looking to take to the ice and try your luck, Lake Harriet is a true gem. Not only is it one of the most visitor-friendly lakes in Minnesota, but it is one of its best ice fishing spots year in and year out.

4. Lake of the Woods

No list of the best ice fishing lakes in Minnesota would be complete without Lake of the Woods near or at the top. That’s because Lake of the Woods is the premier ice fishing destination, not only in the state of Minnesota but arguably in the entire United States.

Lake of the Woods lies on the U.S.-Canada border, with parts of it in Minnesota on the U.S. side, and other parts lying in Winnipeg and Ontario on the Canadian side. Although it is certainly not on the same scale as any of the Great Lakes, this lake is impressive in its own right:

Lake of the Woods has a total area of 725,582 acres. Of this massive acreage, approximately 317,000 acres are considered to be part of Minnesota.
This international lake covers a large area, and it is also deep. Its massive basin bottoms out at 210 feet, creating a massive water column for species that prefer colder, deeper water.
With such as large surface area, it should come as no surprise that Lake of the Woods has a long shoreline – 3,299.49 miles of it, to be exact.

Because it lies so far to the north, Lake of the Woods can experience harsh weather conditions that change at a moment’s notice. But the silver lining is that good ice begins to form as early as December 1^st in these parts, especially in the many coves and inlets where the water is quite shallow.

What You Need to Know About Ice Fishing at Lake of the Woods

Ice fishing at Lake of the Woods is a major draw to this part of Minnesota. Every winter, thousands of eager anglers descend on this area with visions of catching trophy-sized fish and daily limits of their favorite species.

The waters of Lake of the Woods provide a dynamic habitat for the lake’s diverse fish population. There are close to 50 different types of fish that call Lake of the Woods home. The most popular species during ice fishing season include:

Bullhead
Crappie
Lake sturgeon

Minnow
Muskie
Northern pike

Perch
Pumpkinseed
Rock bass

Sauger
Shiner
Smallmouth bass

With so many species found throughout its depths, Lake of the Woods is a hardwater angler’s dream. But the biggest draw to this lake is walleye. In fact, Lake of the Woods is known to locals as the Walleye Capital of the World.

The popularity of Lake of the Woods has created an industry catering to the needs of eager anglers who visit this area every winter. Ice fishing is such a big deal here that you can rent a deluxe ice shanty that is complete with bunk beds, indoor heating, and even a stove for cooking your freshly caught fish.

5. Lake Vermilion

About a 2-hour drive up from Duluth lies Lake Vermilion, an ice fishing hotspot in northern Minnesota. The name comes from French fur traders, who thought of the red pigment vermilion when they saw the setting sun’s reflection off the lake’s waters. Locals call this body of water the Lake of the Red Sunsets.

Lake Vermilion is widely considered to be one of Minnesota’s most beautiful lakes, with scenic views all around its lengthy shoreline. Here’s a bird’s eye view of Lake Vermilion:

This lake has a surface area of 39,272 acres, making it Minnesota’s 5th largest inland lake (i.e., a lake that lies entirely within the state of Minnesota).
Lake Vermilion has the distinction of having the longest shoreline of any inland lake in Minnesota at just over 341 miles. The twisting, winding shores of Lake Vermilion create countless coves, bays, and inlets where fish can thrive.

While the areas near Lake Vermilion’s shores can be quite shallow, the depth in the heart of the lake can plunge to 76 feet.

A unique feature of Lake Vermilion that distinguishes it from most of Minnesota’s other lakes is its unusually high number of islands. There are 365 islands within the lake and they not only provide natural beauty for visitors to appreciate, but also unique habitats for Lake Vermilion’s fish population to live.

What You Need to Know About Ice Fishing at Lake Vermilion

Dozens of fish species call Lake Vermilion home. But as far as ice fishing is concerned, these are the top targets for hardwater anglers:

Largemouth and smallmouth bass – both types of bass are abundant in Lake Vermilion. There is a 6-fish limit (largemouth and smallmouth bass combined).
Muskie – thanks to the state of Minnesota’s fishery management plan, muskie are thriving in Lake Vermilion. Each year, the lake is stocked with 3,000 fingerlings. There is a 54” size limit and each angler is permitted one fish daily.
Northern pike – there are monster northern pike lurking in the waters of Lake Vermilion and to protect the fish population, anglers are limited to 2 pikes daily, only 1 of which may be over 40”.

Walleye – this is another species that is stocked annually. Each year, Lake Vermilion receives 5 to 15 million fry, depending on population survey results. Hardwater anglers are limited to 4 walleye daily, of which only 1 may exceed 26” in length.

Aside from the diverse fish population, Lake Vermilion is a popular destination among hardwater anglers because it is usually one of the first major fishing lakes to form good ice. As early as mid-November, portions of the lake are frozen over, and fishable ice remains on Lake Vermilion until March or even April.

6. Mille Lacs Lake

Although Minnesota is known as the Land of 10,000 Lakes, it’s not all about quantity. Minnesota is also home to some very large lakes and they’re also premier ice fishing destinations. Case in point, Mille Lacs Lake, which is the second largest inland lake in Minnesota, is also one of the state’s best ice fishing spots.

Here’s a look at Mille Lacs Lake’s impressive dimensions:

In terms of surface area, Mille Lacs Lake covers 128,250 acres. This is equal to 200 square miles. For a point of reference, the city of Chicago, home to 2 ½ million people, is 231 square miles.
Mille Lacs Lake has a relatively smooth and even shoreline that is 92 miles long. There are smaller lakes with longer shorelines (for example, Lake Vermilion on this list), owing to extensive winding and twisting which adds length to the total.

Given its immense size, you would expect that Mille Lacs Lake would be deep as well. With an average depth of 28 feet and a maximum depth of 42 feet, Mille Lacs Lake is surprisingly shallow.

Mille Lacs Lake is just over an hour’s drive north of Minneapolis. This makes it the perfect place for an ice fishing day trip or an ice fishing expedition. Either way, Mille Lacs Lake is an experience of a lifetime waiting to happen.

What You Need to Know About Ice Fishing at Mille Lacs Lake

Minnesota lakes are known for supporting diverse fish populations with dozens of species inhabiting a single lake. Panfish like bluegill and pumpkinseed are popular targets for hardwater anglers, as are crappie and perch. But the big prizes at Mille Lacs Lake, so to speak, are species like:

Walleye – this is one of the biggest draws to Mille Lacs Lake every winter. Hardwater anglers from near and far head to these waters in pursuit of a trophy-size walleye. If this is you, work the shallow areas near the shoreline. Ice fishing jigs tipped with wax worms are sure to get strikes.
Northern pike – there are monster pike known to lurk in the depths of Mille Lacs Lake. If you’re heading out mid-season, the hundreds of islands spread all around the lake are great places to drop a line through the ice.
Muskie – this is another species that hardwater anglers dream of hooking when ice fishing at Mille Lacs Lake. To give you an idea of what this lake has to offer, a 58-inch, 56-pound muskie was caught from these waters.

When it comes to natural freshwater resources, Minnesota has few peers.

7. Upper Red Lake

Together with Lower Red Lake, Upper Red Lake forms the largest inland lake in the state of Minnesota. This body of water is also one of Minnesota’s top ice fishing destinations. Here’s how this massive body of water measures up:

Red Lake, with Upper and Lower Red Lakes combined, covers an area of 288,800 acres.

On its own, Upper Red Lake has a surface area of 119,295 acres.
The shoreline of Upper Red Lake is 59 miles long.
Surprisingly, for a lake this large, the average depth is 12 feet, and the lake bottoms out at a mere 15 feet.

With its location in northern Minnesota and its shallow depth, Upper Red Lake forms good ice early on in the winter season, making it a popular destination for eager hardwater anglers.

What You Need to Know About Ice Fishing at Upper Red Lake

Against a backdrop of 11,842 lakes, to stand apart seems nearly impossible but Upper Red Lake truly stands alone. Not only is Upper Red Lake massive in size, but it is incredibly shallow with a sandy, muddy bottom. These unique characteristics make Upper Red Lake a fish habitat like no other.

These are the top species you can expect to target at Upper Red Lake during ice fishing season:

Bluegill
Bullhead
Crappie

Lake sturgeon
Lake whitefish
Largemouth bass

Northern pike
Rock bass
Shiner

Yellow perch

As a state-managed walleye fishery, Upper Red Lake is a haven for walleye ice fishing. Average length ranges from 15” to 20” and monster specimens are known to inhabit these waters. Although the action can be spectacular, given the lake’s size, be prepared to move around and be sure to pack your patience.

Conclusion

When it comes to natural freshwater resources, Minnesota has few peers. If you find yourself in the Land of 10,000 Lakes and dropping a line through the ice is on your to-do list, head over to one of these lakes for an ice fishing experience you’ll never forget.

SOURCES:

https://www.dnr.state.mn.us/faq/mnfacts/water.html

https://www.dnr.state.mn.us/lakefind/lake.html?id=27003100

https://www.dnr.state.mn.us/fishing/downtown/bde-maka-ska.html

https://www.minneapolisparks.org/activities-events/winter_activities/ice_fishing/

https://www.dnr.state.mn.us/lakefind/lake.html?id=11030500

https://traveltips.usatoday.com/lakes-ice-fishing-minnesota-10893.html

https://www.brainerddispatch.com/sports/a-guide-to-ice-fishing

https://www.minneapolis.org/things-to-do/nature-outdoors/lakes/chain-of-lakes/

https://www.dnr.state.mn.us/lakefind/lake.html?id=27001600

https://www.dnr.state.mn.us/fish/walleye/index.html

https://www.dnr.state.mn.us/lakefind/lake.html?id=39000200