Ice Fishing by State
3,175 lakes across 6 states hold species targeted through the ice, and every one carries an A–F water quality grade. Water clarity and nutrient load shape how fish behave under the ice, so the grade is a planning signal, not decoration.
Updated 2026-07-20T13:08:09.728Z · Ice thickness guidelines →
Ice Fishing by State
| State | Lakes | Species | Top-graded lake | Grade |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ice fishing in Minnesota | 1,601 | 14 | Little Sand Lake | A |
| Ice fishing in Wisconsin | 1,161 | 4 | Geneva Lake | A |
| Ice fishing in Michigan | 244 | 12 | Diamond Lake | A |
| Ice fishing in North Dakota | 137 | 9 | Jarvis Beach Lake | A |
| Ice fishing in New York | 19 | 7 | Deruyter Reservoir | A |
| Ice fishing in Indiana | 13 | 5 | Lake George | B |
Winter Depths and Techniques by Species
Where each species holds once the lake is capped, and what takes them.
| Species | Winter depth | Where they hold | Technique |
|---|---|---|---|
| Walleye | 8–25 ft | first breaks off structure, dusk feeding windows | jigging spoons and rattle baits, deadstick minnows |
| Sauger | 20–40 ft | deep channels | jigging spoons |
| Northern Pike | 6–20 ft | weed edges and flats | tip-ups with large shiners/suckers |
| Bluegill | 8–20 ft | basin holes and deep weed edges | tungsten ice jigs with waxworms/plastics |
| Pumpkinseed | 6–15 ft | weed edges and holes | ice jigs with grubs |
| Yellow Perch | 15–35 ft | deep flats and basin | tungsten jigs and small spoons — a top ice target |
| Black Crappie | 10–25 ft | basin and deep brush — suspend and roam | tungsten jigs & minnows; dusk bite |
| White Crappie | 10–25 ft | deep brush and channels | small jigs & minnows |
| Crappie | 10–25 ft | basin and deep brush | tungsten jigs & minnows at dusk |
| Brook Trout | 5–20 ft | stocked-lake ice fishery | small jigs, spoons, waxworms |
| Brown Trout | 5–25 ft | deep clear lakes / stocked ice fishery | jigging spoons, minnows |
| Rainbow Trout | 5–25 ft | clear lakes / stocked ice fishery | small jigs, spoons, PowerBait |
| Lake Trout | 30–80 ft | deep basin | jigging tubes and spoons through the ice |
| Cisco | 15–40 ft | suspended over the basin | tiny spoons and jigs — a fun ice target |
| Lake Whitefish | 25–60 ft | deep bottom | tiny jigs tipped with larvae — a delicate ice bite |
| Panfish | 8–25 ft | basin holes and deep weed edges | tungsten ice jigs with waxworms/minnows |
| Trout | 5–25 ft | clear lakes / stocked ice fishery | small jigs, spoons, bait |
We do not measure ice
Nothing here tells you whether the ice is safe. We hold no thickness data for any lake and never estimate it. Agency guidance is that no ice is ever completely safe and that thickness varies widely across a single lake. Read the ice thickness guidelines and measure as you go.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best state for ice fishing?
By the number of lakes holding ice-target species in our dataset, Minnesota leads with 1,601, followed by Wisconsin (1,161). "Best" depends on what you are after though — walleye and perch country runs through the Upper Midwest, while trout and cisco waters skew north and east. Each state page ranks its lakes by water quality, which shapes how fish behave under the ice.
Does water quality matter for ice fishing?
More than most anglers expect. Water clarity drives how deep fish hold and how easily they spook — in very clear water, panfish and walleye push deeper and feed in tighter low-light windows, while stained water keeps fish shallower and more willing during the day. Nutrient load also shapes the fishery: highly eutrophic lakes can run low on dissolved oxygen under thick ice and snow late in winter, which concentrates fish and, in bad years, causes winterkill.
What species can you catch through the ice?
The common hard-water targets are walleye, sauger, northern pike, bluegill, pumpkinseed, yellow perch, black crappie, white crappie and others — 17 species in total across our coverage. The table above lists the depth range and technique for each.
How thick does ice need to be to ice fish?
The Minnesota DNR recommends a minimum of 4 inches of new, clear ice for activities on foot, and says to stay off ice under 4 inches — doubled on white (refrozen snow) ice. Those are agency minimums, not a guarantee: the DNR is explicit that there is no such thing as 100 percent safe ice. We do not measure ice thickness on any lake. See the ice thickness guidelines.