Heated Ice Fishing Tents on St. Croix River Bayport
Private Trip
River Fishing
Private ice fishing on St. Croix River with heated tentGuide provides rods, bait, and predrilled holes for convenienceFour or eight hour trips accommodate all skill levels
When the St. Croix freezes solid and winter locks down the Minnesota-Wisconsin border, that's when the real fishing begins. Ryan Bunnell has been putting anglers on fish through the ice for years, and his heated tent setup on the St. Croix near Bayport makes winter fishing downright comfortable. This isn't about standing over a hole in sub-zero temps – you'll be fishing from inside a warm, wood stove-heated shelter with pre-drilled holes and lines already rigged and ready. Whether you've never touched an ice rod or you're chasing your personal best walleye, this guided trip handles all the details so you can focus on what matters: getting fish to bite.
Ryan's operation is as turnkey as ice fishing gets. The heated tent stays comfortable even when it's brutal outside, and with 16 inches of good ice under your feet, you're fishing from a solid platform that feels more like a cozy cabin than roughing it outdoors. Six rods come rigged and ready, plus all the bait you'll need for either a 4-hour morning session or a full 8-hour day that can stretch into evening. The holes are pre-drilled, so you're fishing within minutes of arrival. If you've got your own ice rods and want to bring them, go for it – but everything you need is already there waiting. The setup works perfectly for families, groups of friends, or anyone who wants to experience ice fishing without the hassle of hauling gear and setting up in freezing conditions. Groups up to six people fit comfortably, making this a top-rated choice for winter outings that actually keep everyone happy and warm.
Ice fishing the St. Croix requires reading the river's winter behavior, and Ryan knows exactly where fish hold when the current slows and ice forms. The tent positioning takes advantage of deeper holes and current breaks where crappie, walleye, and even lake sturgeon move through during winter months. You'll fish with light tackle and sensitive rods that telegraph every tap and pull from below – ice fishing demands finesse since fish move slower in cold water. Jigging techniques vary depending on what's biting: small jigs tipped with minnows or wax worms work well for crappie, while walleye respond to slightly larger presentations worked just off bottom. The beauty of fishing from a heated shelter means you can take time with each bite instead of rushing through numbed fingers. Ryan adjusts tactics throughout the trip based on fish activity, sometimes switching between active jigging and dead-sticking baits depending on how aggressive the bite gets. The river's current creates unique ice fishing conditions compared to still lakes – fish stay more active, but you need to understand how they use the moving water even under ice cover.
Crappie fishing through ice on the St. Croix delivers some of the most consistent action you'll find anywhere in the region. These silvery slabs school up in deeper water during winter, often holding in groups of dozens once you locate them. Most crappie here run 10 to 14 inches, perfect eating size with white, flaky meat that's tough to beat on the dinner table. They bite best during low-light periods – early morning, late afternoon, and overcast days when they move up in the water column to feed. What makes crappie fishing so addictive is the way they hit: sometimes a gentle tap you barely feel, other times they slam the bait hard enough to bend your rod. When you find a school, the action can be non-stop for an hour or more before they move on.
Walleye represent the prize catch for most anglers targeting the St. Croix through ice. These golden-sided predators patrol the river's deeper channels and drop-offs, hunting for baitfish even in winter's coldest months. River walleye tend to run larger than their lake cousins, with fish over 20 inches fairly common and the occasional trophy pushing 25 inches or better. They're notorious for subtle bites – often just a slight lift in your line or barely perceptible change in weight – which makes a heated tent crucial for detecting strikes. Walleye bite best during dawn and dusk transitions, but the river's current keeps them feeding throughout the day. Landing a hefty walleye through the ice ranks among winter fishing's greatest thrills, especially when you feel that head-shaking fight transmitted up through your rod.
Lake sturgeon fishing represents something truly special on the St. Croix – these prehistoric fish can live over 100 years and grow massive, with some specimens reaching 6 feet or longer. While catching sturgeon requires patience and luck, when it happens, you've got a fish story that'll last a lifetime. These ancient giants move slowly along river bottoms, vacuuming up anything edible with their sucker-like mouths. Sturgeon bites feel like snagging bottom at first – a heavy, steady pull rather than sharp strikes. The fight is pure power, like trying to winch up a waterlogged tree. Most sturgeon caught ice fishing are released to continue their centuries-long journey, but the experience of battling one of these river monsters stays with anglers forever. They're most active during warmer winter days when ice conditions remain stable.
Ice fishing the St. Croix with Ryan combines the best parts of winter angling – great fishing, comfortable conditions, and local expertise that puts you on fish instead of guessing where they might be. The heated tent setup eliminates winter's biggest challenges while keeping all the excitement of feeling fish bite through ice. Whether you're introducing kids to ice fishing, planning a unique group outing, or chasing personal best fish in winter conditions, this guided experience delivers without the typical cold-weather suffering. Access is straightforward from either the Bayport ice road off 3rd Street S or walking out from Ferry Landing on the Wisconsin side. Book your 4 or 8-hour trip
Pomoxis NigromaculatusCrappie are some of the best eating fish you'll find in the St. Croix, running 8-12 inches and about a pound on average. We've got both black and white crappie here - blacks have scattered spots while whites show faint vertical bars. They school up in winter around deeper structure like fallen trees and drop-offs, usually 12-20 feet down. Winter fishing is prime time since they're less spooky under ice and bite consistently through the day. The meat is white, flaky, and mild - perfect for a fish fry. These aren't big fighters, but they make up for it by biting in groups. Once you find one, there's usually more nearby. My tip: use small jigs tipped with minnows and fish them slow right on bottom. When you mark fish on the finder, drop straight down - crappie don't chase much in cold water.
Acipenser FulvescensLake sturgeon are living dinosaurs that call the St. Croix home - these prehistoric fish can live over 100 years and reach 4-6 feet here, though most we see are 30-50 inches. They're bottom feeders with four barbels that help them locate crayfish, insects, and small fish in deep holes and current seams, usually 20+ feet down. Ice fishing gives you the best shot at hooking one since they stay active all winter. Landing a sturgeon is a bucket-list experience - they're powerful fighters that can strip line and test your gear. The meat is firm and tasty, though many folks release these ancient fish. Bring heavy tackle and be patient; they're not common but when one hits, you'll know it. Pro tip: use large chunks of nightcrawlers on bottom rigs and fish the deepest holes you can find. These fish are protected, so know the regulations before you fish.
Sander VitreusWalleye are the prize fish of the St. Croix, typically running 14-20 inches with some pushing 24+ inches and 4-5 pounds. Those big silver eyes help them see in low light, making dawn and dusk prime time, but ice fishing changes the game - they'll bite throughout the day. Look for them in 15-25 feet of water near rocky structure, drop-offs, and current breaks where the river bends. Winter walleye are aggressive feeders and give a solid fight with their head-shaking runs. The white, flaky meat is top-notch eating - many consider it the best freshwater table fare. They're smart fish that require patience, but that makes landing one more rewarding. Here's a local trick: tip your jigs with a minnow head rather than the whole fish. The scent draws them in, but the smaller profile gets more bites when they're finicky.
St. Croix River