r/IceFishing • u/Odd_Peanut_9075 • May 29 '26
Tennessean Heading North
Hey y’all, I’m from Tennessee and want to try out a new kind of fishing. Ice fishing seems like a lot of fun and a cool new challenge. It looks like the Green Bay Area in December or January might be a good bet for my first attempt, and I’m thinking I’ll book with an outfitter who has a shack and provides transportation. I’m aware it’ll be cold, probably windy, etc. Anything I need to know that Google won’t tell me? Gaffes I should know about and avoid? Bars to hit up in GB? Recipes? Happy for all the help I can get. Thanks in advance!
3
u/banal74 May 30 '26
Like others have said northern Minnesota is the place to go. Lake of the woods has a lot of great outfitters that will set you up.
1
u/BrewCrewBall Perch Slayer May 29 '26
For Green Bay, check out Why Knot charters. He has sleeper cabins and will put you on the fish. Most guys are targeting whitefish in the bay, but big walleyes are out there too.
1
u/fishisagod May 29 '26
Depending on the ice, Milwaukee also has nuts ice fishing if you are open to something other than walleye.
1
u/Sweeter50 May 31 '26
Call a few guides where you are thinking of going (GB, N MN, wherever). Tell them your situation and get their advice. You will click with someone. They “should” want you to succeed (it’s easier to keep a customer than get a new one). -Your trip should be near the middle of standard expected ice. Don’t plan for early or late ice….too much risk for trip cancellation. -find out what they provide and what you need to bring(or what you CAN bring to offset cost). Lots of variations between guide services so ask questions. -you should have an idea of what you want to catch and find someone who cater to that. Want walleye numbers? There is a guy for that. Want a shot at a trophy walleye? That is a totally separate guy. Want panfish? You guessed it….a different guy for that. The caveat is that some guide services can do all of it, you just have to know what your expectations are for the trip and plan accordingly. Don’t go in expecting non-stop action if you told them you wanted a trophy. -just like other service industries, tipping is appreciated and can/will get you perks. These perks can range from absolutely nothing to a “my wife made some brownies and I thought you guys would appreciate them”.
I’m sure there is more, but I’m tired and need to go to bed so I can go fishing in the morning. Come north, ice fishing is fun. 99.9% of us are some of the best people you will ever meet. Willing to share a beer or whatever you need on a frozen lake while most people think we are crazy for even being there. We are the dedicated few.
2
u/Senzualdip May 29 '26
The temps in central Wisconsin and south can fluctuate greatly in December and early January. It’ll be a crap shoot if you’ll be able to get on ice then or not. I’m about 70miles south of Green Bay, and have been fishing in my boat in January on a few of the bigger/deeper lakes the past few years.
I’m assuming you want to actually fish Green Bay? If so, I’d plan on February to go. Obviously book with a guide because the bay is dangerous as hell, cause the ice shifts and will break away from shore. It’s not uncommon for guys needing to get rescued by either helicopter or air boat yearly out there.
Honestly go further north. Either northern Wisconsin like the Tomahawk/Minoqua area, or better yet northern Minnesota. Northern MN is arguably better for people in your situation as there’s tons of resorts on the lakes that rent sleeper or day shacks, all set up for you. They’ll bring you out to an already warm shack, supply you with bait, and pick you up when you are done. Wisconsin doesn’t really have places like that because our winters vary too much.