We Reeled in the Best Ice Fishing Spots in Wisconsin
Grab some Lone Duck Cinnamon Whiskey on your next ice fishing trip!
Since cold weather takes up so much of the year in Wisconsin, we Wisconsinites need to find fun things to do outside when most folks would be curled up in front of the TV! Ice fishing is a staple in Midwest culture that can be a fun way to get out of the house during the long winter months - if you’re going to the right places! Join us as we look into some of our favorite ice fishing spots across Wisconsin.
The Dairyland Reservoir is roughly 1800 acres of wonderful Wisconsin water located within the Flambeau River near Ladysmith, Wisconsin. This area has an abundance of options for fishing. The reservoir has panfish, musky, bass, pike, catfish, sturgeon, and walleye. Typically, anglers are targeting panfish and walleye when they visit. Located in the northwestern part of the state, it is popular not just for the opportunity to catch plenty of fish, but also the possibility of catching large trophy fish!
What we’re catching: panfish, musky, bass, pike, catfish, sturgeon, and walleye.
Black Oak Lake is known as the clearest lake in Wisconsin and sits proudly in Northern Wisconsin near the Michigan border. This beautiful lake has lots to offer in terms of recreation. It is popular for ice fishing because of the abundance of trophy musky, walleye, bass, lake and stream trout, northern pike, and panfish. The lake is only 564 acres which means that it freezes quicker and is typically ready for ice fishing by mid-December. Named one of the deepest and clearest lakes in Wisconsin, its beauty (along with its bounty of fish) makes this a great place to try when ice fishing this year!
Boom Lake is in Rhinelander, Wisconsin, otherwise known as the Ice Fishing Capital of the World! It is roughly 365 acres and located in the heart of Rhinelander. Boom Lake is a flowage off the Wisconsin River and is typically very reliable for anglers. The lake is a great destination for trophy walleye, as it is home to the largest walleye in Wisconsin. That makes Boom Lake very popular for ice fishing anglers. The area has lots of tournaments that allow anglers to compete and enjoy some great ice fishing! Rhinelander also provides plenty of amenities including lodging, food, and other activities to keep you warm when you are not fishing.
This large, 8,000-acre lake is located on the Minnesota Border in Onalaska, Wisconsin. Lake Onalaska has a reputation as the best place in Wisconsin to catch trophy sized panfish, and it's known to have record-setting crappie and bluegill. Although this area is great for a successful day of ice fishing, be careful towards the end of the season as it is common to find poor road conditions on the roads leading to the lake!
Lake Winnebago, in Fond Du lac, Wisconsin, is the largest body of water in the entire state – over 137,000 acres! However, just because it’s the largest body of water does not mean it’s very deep. The maximum depth of the lake is only about 21 feet, making it ready for ice fishing early in the season! The lake is home to panfish, walleye, sturgeon, catfish, bass, musky, and northern pike. Lake Winnebago is becoming more popular as an ice fishing destination because of the large fish, but also because of the surrounding area that’s great for a winter getaway. If you’re an avid ice fisher, but your family is more interested in snowshoeing, cross-country skiing, skating, or even indoor mini golf, there’s plenty to do on and around Lake Winnebago!
These are some of the most popular spots for ice fishing in Wisconsin, but there are tons of other lakes throughout the Badger State that you can check out! If you want to share your favorite Wisconsin lake for ice fishing, please do! You don’t even have to tell us where your special spot is.
Wisconsin’s amazing lakes can provide a fun new place to make memories and could help you find a new favorite place to ice fish. We know that Wisconsin winters can be brutal, but with our Wisco Coffee you can stay warm on the ice while you catch your bag limit!
Enjoy a toasty warm Wisco Coffee on the ice or at home!
2 oz. Lone Duck Cinnamon Whiskey
½ oz. Amaretto
1 ½ oz. Baileys Irish Cream
Black Coffee
Whipped Cream
Make some fresh coffee or use your favorite cold brew. Add Lone Duck, Baileys, and Amaretto; stir well to blend all flavors. Top with whipped cream. Enjoy, and stay warm out there on the lake!