If your idea of fun reminds you of the ice fishing scene from the hit movie Grumpy Old Men, you’ll want to know where you should go.
In the northern part of the country, this activity is one of the most popular outdoor experiences you can have. Yes, people really do build and enjoy shanties on the frozen lakes in northern areas, and yes, lots of beer is typically drunk while fishing. If you want to give it a try or you’re looking for a new place to enjoy this type of fishing, here are some suggestions.
Get Your Gear and Head to Brainerd, Minnesota
Minnesota is the “Land of 1,000 Lakes,” and it certainly has many that are frozen over in the wintertime. Brainerd has earned its spot on top of the ice fishing list with more than 460 lakes that are within 25 miles of this city. That makes it the ideal place for you to go to begin your winter adventure when you want to spend your time on the frozen lake with a line in a small hole where you might be able to pull a fish up once they attach to your hook.
Silver Lake, California is a Cool Spot
While that might be a bit of a pun, the fish you’ll find in Silver Lake are plentiful, and you can have a wonderful adventure when you set up a spot once this lake freezes over for the winter. This lake is in Northern California, and it’s filled with larger fish including, Mackinaw Trout, which are a lot of fun to bring up through the hole you’ll drill in the ice. If you’re looking for a lot of fun and fish that are tasty at the end of the day, head to Silver Lake.
The Perfect Spot for Your Winter Fun is DAR State Forest, Massachusetts
When you head to DAR State Forest, you’ll find two impressive lakes that are perfect for ice fishing this winter. Even if you don’t catch anything, the landscape of this area is set amidst rolling wooded areas, and you’ll find more than 50 campsites where you can enjoy a few days in the outdoors. Winter camping coupled with fishing while on the ice can be one of the most memorable experiences of your life. Head to this forest and make those memories with family and friends.
Tons of Space for Fishing on Devil’s Lake, North Dakota
One of the largest lakes where you can fish this winter while sitting on the ice is Devil’s Lake. This area is more than 180,000 acres in size, which means there is plenty of room for everyone that will go there to catch some walleye or perch. This is one of the most popular winter destinations for you to catch fish and enjoy the fun of being in the outdoors during the winter months. Head to this northern area anytime from December to March for a wonderful vacation in the outdoors.
Enjoy Winter Fishing on Lake Habeeb, Maryland
You might think of a lake in Maryland as being too far south for you to go ice fishing during the winter, but Lake Habeeb is a popular destination for this activity every year. This lake is known as the lake with the bluest water in the state. You’ll love the surrounding landscape and the variety of fish found under the ice. You can catch tons of Smallmouth and Largemouth Bass through your hole in the ice. Get ready for a fantastic adventure this winter at this beautiful lake in Maryland.
Several Varieties of Popular Fish Found in Higgins, Lake, Michigan
Head to Michigan for the fun of fishing on a lake that has frozen over and find an impressive variety of fish that will taste great when it’s time for dinner and a drink. Higgins Lake is home to perch, crappie, small and largemouth bass, pike, and many more varieties of fish. This is a deep lake, which means it offers something for everyone to enjoy, whether you want to bring up a bottom feeder or a fish that spends time near the underside of the ice shelf on the lake.
Enjoy the Mountains Surrounding Trinidad Lake State Park, Colorado
The mountains of southern Colorado offer you some of the most incredible views and is home to Trinidad Lake State Park. This park features an 800-acre lake that has some amazing fish for you to catch when you’re ready to go ice fishing. There are opportunities to see several varieties of wildlife in this area where you’re fishing for rainbow or brown trout, small and largemouth bass, walleye, saugeye, channel catfish, black crappie, yellow perch, wiper, and bluegill. You’re going to have a wonderful time fishing in this state park.
Enjoy Your Experience on Lake Winnebago, Wisconsin
This is one of the places where you can fish on top of the ice and catch white bass, which is something we haven’t mentioned yet. This is also a lake filled with sturgeon, which are always fun to catch and even more challenging when you’re pulling them through a small hole in the ice. This is a popular location with tons of people in the center of the lake, but some of the best fishing can be found closer to the shoreline of this large and amazing lake.
Boysen Reservoir, Wyoming is a Prime Spot for Ice Fishing
You’ll find gorgeous views of the snow-covered Owl Creek Mountains that surround this large reservoir where you can go ice fishing. This impressive reservoir is a great place for you to catch some of the tastiest fish that you’ll ever eat and enjoy during your time on this impressive lake. This is a location you can visit for four months of the year with it being frozen from December to March, making it a lake where you’ll want to spend a lot of time. Get ready for the best fishing trip of your life at Boysen Reservoir.
