Best Ice Fishing In The World
By Debbie Hanson
Feb 28, 2017
Learn about the best ice fishing in the world. Find out which destinations are known for perch or walleye, how to catch fish through the ice, best techniques
There is a certain type of rugged serenity that is characteristic of the places known for the best ice fishing in the world. Whether it's the sound of fresh snow crunching under your boots or feeling the subtle bite of a winter panfish, ice fishing is an experience that every angler should entertain at least once.
If you are trying to decide where to ice fish for the very first time, you may want to consider one of the most renowned hard water destinations. Learn more about six spots that are known to be among the best fishing spots in the world
• Lake of the Woods -- Ontario, Manitoba, and Minnesota. Lake of the Woods is considered by many seasoned anglers to be one of the best places to fish through the ice for walleye. Given the fact that this glacial lake has over 14,500 islands, there is no shortage of structure. Grab a medium action rod, along with a few spoons or jigs, and head to the south shore of the lake. You will soon understand why many anglers believe that it offers the best ice fishing in the world.
• Lake Gogebic -- Michigan. This spot in Michigan's Upper Peninsula is known for being one of the top lakes for jumbo yellow perch. Not sure where to fish on Lake Gogebic? Start at either the north or south end of the lake. You may want to use small tear drop jigs tipped with spikes or waxworms in order to entice the panfish into biting during the winter months.
• Devil's Lake -- North Dakota. As the largest natural body of water in the state of North Dakota, Devil's Lake is said to have some of the best ice fishing in the world because it produces high winter numbers of walleye, northern pike and white bass. If you plan to target walleye, you'll have the best luck fishing during the early morning and late afternoon hours. Try using vertical jigs, but remember to vary the amount of time that you allow your jig remain motionless.
• Kangerlussuaq Fjord -- Greenland. If you want to know where to ice fish against a dramatic backdrop of towering cliffs, you can take an Arctic trip to the Kangerlussuaq Fjord in central-western Greenland. This is one of the best ice fishing spots in the world you are up for an extreme fishing adventure. Catch arctic char through the ice by day, and then take the opportunity to view the northern lights at night.
• Lake Simcoe -- Ontario. Drive less than one hour north of Toronto and you'll arrive at Lake Simcoe, which has been referred to as one of the best winter fisheries in all of North America. You can quickly learn where to ice fish on this lake for popular winter species including yellow perch, lake trout, northern pike and whitefish if you rent an ice fishing hut through one of the many outfitters that are based along Simcoe's shores.
• Lena River -- Siberia, Russia. You can ice fish for species like perch or roach on the 11th longest river in the world if you're willing to board a plane to Siberia. There are organized ice fishing tours that are operated out of Yakutsk, the capital city of the Sakha Republic, between the months of November and April. Just be sure to pack plenty of layers because the average temperature during the month of January is around −37.5 °F.
Which of these six destinations is up first on your ice fishing bucket list? Get a few more ice fishing tips by visiting our ice fishing pages, and don't forget to purchase your fishing license online for any trips within the U.S. before you go.
If you are trying to decide where to ice fish for the very first time, you may want to consider one of the most renowned hard water destinations. Learn more about six spots that are known to be among the best fishing spots in the world
• Lake of the Woods -- Ontario, Manitoba, and Minnesota. Lake of the Woods is considered by many seasoned anglers to be one of the best places to fish through the ice for walleye. Given the fact that this glacial lake has over 14,500 islands, there is no shortage of structure. Grab a medium action rod, along with a few spoons or jigs, and head to the south shore of the lake. You will soon understand why many anglers believe that it offers the best ice fishing in the world.
• Lake Gogebic -- Michigan. This spot in Michigan's Upper Peninsula is known for being one of the top lakes for jumbo yellow perch. Not sure where to fish on Lake Gogebic? Start at either the north or south end of the lake. You may want to use small tear drop jigs tipped with spikes or waxworms in order to entice the panfish into biting during the winter months.
• Devil's Lake -- North Dakota. As the largest natural body of water in the state of North Dakota, Devil's Lake is said to have some of the best ice fishing in the world because it produces high winter numbers of walleye, northern pike and white bass. If you plan to target walleye, you'll have the best luck fishing during the early morning and late afternoon hours. Try using vertical jigs, but remember to vary the amount of time that you allow your jig remain motionless.
• Kangerlussuaq Fjord -- Greenland. If you want to know where to ice fish against a dramatic backdrop of towering cliffs, you can take an Arctic trip to the Kangerlussuaq Fjord in central-western Greenland. This is one of the best ice fishing spots in the world you are up for an extreme fishing adventure. Catch arctic char through the ice by day, and then take the opportunity to view the northern lights at night.
• Lake Simcoe -- Ontario. Drive less than one hour north of Toronto and you'll arrive at Lake Simcoe, which has been referred to as one of the best winter fisheries in all of North America. You can quickly learn where to ice fish on this lake for popular winter species including yellow perch, lake trout, northern pike and whitefish if you rent an ice fishing hut through one of the many outfitters that are based along Simcoe's shores.
• Lena River -- Siberia, Russia. You can ice fish for species like perch or roach on the 11th longest river in the world if you're willing to board a plane to Siberia. There are organized ice fishing tours that are operated out of Yakutsk, the capital city of the Sakha Republic, between the months of November and April. Just be sure to pack plenty of layers because the average temperature during the month of January is around −37.5 °F.
Which of these six destinations is up first on your ice fishing bucket list? Get a few more ice fishing tips by visiting our ice fishing pages, and don't forget to purchase your fishing license online for any trips within the U.S. before you go.
Debbie Hanson is an award-winning outdoor writer, women’s sport fishing advocate, IGFA world record holder, and freshwater guide living in Southwest Florida. Hanson’s written work has appeared in publications such as Florida Game & Fish Magazine, BoatUS Magazine, and USA Today Hunt & Fish. To learn more about her work, visit shefishes2.com or follow her on Instagram @shefishes2.
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