Bucket List: Ice Fishing Lakes to Visit During the 2025 & 2026 Ice Season

As the winter chill sets in and lakes transform into frozen playgrounds, ice fishing emerges as a thrilling pursuit for anglers seeking adventure and bountiful catches. This sport combines the serenity of snow-covered landscapes with the excitement of reeling in fish from beneath the ice. Whether you're a seasoned pro or a curious beginner, these bucket list destinations offer world-class opportunities.

Premier North American Ice Fishing Destinations

1. Lake of the Woods, Minnesota

Straddling the U.S.-Canada border, Lake of the Woods is a sprawling 1,700-square-mile expanse that's a perennial favorite among ice anglers. Known for its consistent action, the lake freezes solidly by mid-December, allowing for a long season through March. Anglers target walleye, sauger, yellow perch, and northern pike, with many resorts providing sleeper houses, plowed ice roads, and guided trips for trophy hunts. The remote northern sections offer a true wilderness feel, making it ideal for those chasing "greenbacks" – vibrant, hard-fighting walleye.

• Why it's bucket list-worthy: Its sheer size and fish populations make it a top spot for limits and personal bests, often featured in national fishing rankings.

2. Devils Lake, North Dakota

Devils Lake is a dynamic, ever-expanding body of water in the heart of North Dakota's prairie, covering over 160,000 acres during high-water years. Ice forms early, often by late November, and the fishing heats up for yellow perch (including jumbos over 14 inches), walleye, and northern pike. The lake's shallow bays and structure-rich areas are perfect for tip-ups and jigging, with mobile anglers using ATVs or snowmobiles to hop between hotspots.

• Why it's bucket list-worthy: It's famed for its perch bonanzas and has produced state records, drawing crowds for tournaments and family outings in a stark, beautiful winter landscape.

3. Lake Simcoe, Ontario, Canada

Just an hour north of Toronto, Lake Simcoe is a 279-square-mile gem that's synonymous with ice fishing in Canada. The ice season kicks off in January and runs into March, with anglers flocking for massive yellow perch, lake trout, whitefish, and northern pike. Hut operators and outfitters abound, offering heated shelters and transportation across the vast ice sheet. The lake's clear waters and underwater structure make it a hotspot for underwater cameras and sight-fishing.

• Why it's bucket list-worthy: It's one of North America's premier perch fisheries, with the potential for 2-pounders, and its accessibility adds to the appeal for international travelers.

4. Moosehead Lake, Maine

Maine's largest lake, at 75,000 acres, is a northeastern icon with ice fishing from January to April. Anglers drill for brook trout, landlocked salmon, cusk (burbot), and togue (lake trout). The high-elevation setting ensures thick ice and stunning mountain views.

• Why it's bucket list-worthy: It's a haven for cold-water species in a rugged, forested landscape, perfect for combining fishing with skiing or snowshoeing in Greenville.

Northern Wisconsin Ice Fishing Gems

5. Chequamegon Bay, Northern Wisconsin

This arm of Lake Superior near Ashland and Washburn is a northern Wisconsin treasure. The total area of the bay is approximately 100,000 acres in size, with its depths and structure providing diverse habitats. The bay freezes reliably by January, offering ice fishing for trout, salmon, perch, whitefish, walleye, smelt, burbot, and occasionally northern pike. Anglers use shanties in shallower areas for panfish or venture out for big lake species.

• Why it's bucket list-worthy: Its incredible species variety rivals larger Great Lakes, set against dramatic Superior shorelines, making it a must for adventurous anglers seeking unique catches.

6. Minocqua Chain of Lakes, Northern Wisconsin

In the heart of Wisconsin's Northwoods, the Minocqua Chain connects six lakes totaling over 5,000 acres, including Minocqua and Tomahawk Lakes. Ice fishing here starts in December and peaks in January-February, with targets like walleye (catch-and-release), northern pike, musky, bass, and panfish such as bluegill and crappie. The chain's island-studded layout provides sheltered bays and deep drop-offs, ideal for jigging or tip-ups.

• Why it's bucket list-worthy: Surrounded by the charming town of Minocqua, it offers a mix of fishing and winter activities like snowmobiling, with tournaments adding excitement.

7. Turtle-Flambeau Flowage, Northern Wisconsin

Spanning 13,545 acres in Iron County, the Turtle-Flambeau Flowage is a remote wilderness reservoir created by damming the Flambeau River. Ice sets in by December, and the season extends to March, with prime targets including walleye, smallmouth bass, crappie, jumbo perch, and bluegill. Its maze of islands and bays offers secluded spots for tip-up setups and jigging.

• Why it's bucket list-worthy: Its maze of islands and bays offers secluded spots and excellent multi-species action in a true Northwoods setting, ideal for anglers seeking solitude.

Before heading out, always check local ice conditions, obtain necessary licenses, and prioritize safety with gear like ice picks and flotation suits. These lakes not only promise great fishing but also memorable winter escapades amid nature's frozen beauty. Pack your auger and bundle up – your bucket list awaits!