Pulaski NY Ice Fishing with Locked with Lorensen
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Ice fishing in heated huts with fish finders includedTarget pike, walleye, trout, salmon and tiger muskieSmall group trips for two guests maximum
When winter locks up the lakes around Pulaski, that's when the real action starts. Captain Lorensen has been putting anglers onto trophy fish through the ice for years, and his heated huts make what could be a bone-chilling day into something you'll actually want to repeat. You're not just drilling holes and hoping – you're fishing smart with electronics, staying warm, and targeting the species that make this area famous. With just two spots per trip, you get the personal attention that separates a good day from a legendary one.
Your day starts with Captain Lorensen scouting the best spots based on current ice conditions and where the fish are actually holding. Safety comes first – ice thickness gets checked, but so does structure and bait movement. Once you're set up in the heated hut, you'll have a fish finder showing you exactly what's happening below. The beauty of this setup is you can jig actively while watching for flags on tip-ups. It's not just sitting and waiting – you're working different depths and presentations while staying comfortable. The hut keeps you warm between fish, but when that flag pops or your rod tip starts dancing, you'll be out there in seconds. Captain Lorensen knows these waters like his backyard and adjusts tactics throughout the day based on what the fish want.
You'll be fishing both actively and passively to maximize your chances. Tip-ups get rigged with live bait and set at various depths to target different species – maybe a sucker for pike up shallow, or a minnow suspended for walleye. Inside the hut, you'll work jigging spoons, blade baits, and soft plastics while watching the sonar. The fish finder takes the guesswork out – you can see fish coming in, watch them react to your presentation, and adjust your jigging cadence accordingly. Ice rods are short and sensitive, designed to feel every tap and head shake through thick ice. When something big grabs your bait, that light rod loads up and the fight is right at your feet. The hole becomes your window into their world, and Captain Lorensen coaches you through landing each fish safely.
Crappie school up tight in winter, and when you find them, you can catch dozens. They suspend over deeper water and relate to structure like submerged timber or drop-offs. These slab crappie in Pulaski waters run bigger than most places – 12 to 14-inch fish are common, with some pushing 15 inches. They hit small jigs tipped with spikes or waxworms, and once you dial in the depth, it's game on. The beauty of crappie fishing through ice is their willingness to bite consistently once located.
Walleye are the bread and butter of winter fishing here. They move shallow at first and last light, making them perfect targets for both jigging and tip-ups. These fish average 16 to 20 inches, with plenty of bigger ones mixed in. Walleye have that glowing eye that shows up on sonar, and they tend to hug bottom structure. They're not always aggressive, so finesse presentations work best. When you hook a good walleye through the ice, they make strong runs and test your drag system.
Northern Pike are the wild cards that make every trip exciting. They roam shallow bays and weed edges, ambushing anything that moves. Pike through the ice fight differently than in open water – they can't jump, so all that energy goes into powerful runs and head shakes. A 30-inch pike is a solid fish, but 36 to 40-inch pike show up regularly. They hit big baits hard and don't give up easily. The sound of a screaming drag in the quiet winter air gets everyone's attention fast.
Muskellunge represent the ultimate prize in these waters. They're less active in winter but still catchable for anglers who know where to look. These apex predators follow baitfish into deeper areas adjacent to their summer haunts. A muskie through the ice is a rare treat – they can reach 45 inches or better and provide the kind of fight that tests every component of your tackle. They're notorious followers, often showing up on sonar but not committing until conditions are perfect.
Lake Trout cruise the deeper, colder waters that most other species avoid in winter. They're actively feeding and respond well to vertical presentations. These fish pull hard and steady, using their body weight and the depth to their advantage. Lake trout in the 4 to 8-pound range are typical, with occasional larger specimens pushing double digits. They prefer certain depth ranges and temperature layers, making electronics essential for consistent success.
Captain Lorensen's heated hut setup books up fast once word gets around about the bite. With only two anglers per trip, you're getting personalized instruction and prime fishing time without crowds. The combination of his local knowledge, quality equipment, and commitment to putting you on fish makes this a top-rated ice fishing experience in the Pulaski area. Whether you're chasing your first pike through the ice or looking to add a trophy muskie to your winter collection, this is how ice fishing should be done. Secure your spot with the low-rate deposit and get ready for some serious winter action.
Our 2013 Hyde drift boat cuts through Pulaski's waters with ease, powered by a reliable 9HP Mercury that'll get you to the best fishing spots at 15 knots. This 18-footer gives you and a buddy plenty of room to work your lines while staying comfortable on longer trips. The fish finder helps locate schools of salmon, trout, and steelhead that Pulaski is famous for, while the GPS keeps you on productive water. Fresh bait stays lively in the built-in livewell, and the icebox keeps your catch fresh and drinks cold throughout the day. Whether you're drifting the Salmon River tributaries or working the nearshore waters of Lake Ontario, this boat handles like a dream and gives you the stability needed for serious fishing.
Pomoxis NigromaculatusCrappie are scrappy panfish that run 7-12 inches and typically weigh around a pound. Both black and white crappie swim in schools around our local waters, with blacks preferring cleaner areas and whites handling murkier spots. You'll find them near fallen timber, weed beds, and brush piles in shallow to mid-depth water. They're most active at dawn and dusk but bite well all day during spring spawning when water hits 62-68°F. Winter ice fishing can be solid too since they stay relatively active in cold water. Guests love crappie for their sweet, flaky white meat - some of the best eating you'll find. They don't fight like a bass, but they're fun on light tackle and great for kids learning to fish. My tip: when you find one crappie, slow down and work the area thoroughly. Where there's one, there's usually a whole school nearby.
Salvelinus NamaycushLake trout are the giants of the char family, typically running 24-36 inches and 15-40 pounds in our deep, cold waters. These grey-green fish with cream-colored spots live in the depths year-round, suspended over deep basins or relating to underwater structure in 40-100+ feet of water. Ice fishing is prime time since they're one of the few species that stays active all winter in deep water. Spring right after ice-out can be fantastic when they move relatively shallow. Lakers are prized for their size and the challenge of fishing deep water with heavy tackle. They're excellent eating with firm, flaky meat. Jigging is the go-to method - heavy spoons, jigs tipped with bait, or soft plastics worked vertically. My local tip: use your electronics to mark fish, then get your jig right in their face. Lakers can be lazy, so sometimes you need to practically bonk them on the head to get a bite.
Esox MasquinongyMuskellunge are the apex predator of freshwater - massive pike relatives that can stretch 3-4 feet and weigh 15-36 pounds, with true giants reaching 6 feet. These silver-green bruisers with dark tiger stripes patrol weed edges, rocky points, and deep structure where they ambush prey with lightning speed. Fall is prime muskie season when they feed heavily before winter, though they'll bite year-round if you're persistent. These are true trophy fish that deliver heart-stopping strikes and brutal fights that can last 20 minutes. They're challenging to catch - "the fish of 10,000 casts" - but landing one is a lifetime memory. Use large lures, heavy tackle, and barbless hooks for easier release. Here's the key: when a muskie follows your lure, don't stop retrieving. Do a big figure-eight right at the boat - that sudden direction change often triggers them to strike.
Esox LuciusNorthern pike are the water wolves of our lakes - aggressive predators averaging 2-3 feet with razor-sharp teeth and an attitude to match. These greenish torpedoes with yellow spots lurk in weedy shallows, around fallen timber, and near drop-offs where they ambush anything that moves. Spring through fall offers great action, but ice fishing really shines since pike stay active all winter. Guests love the sudden, violent strikes and bulldogging fights these fish deliver. They're decent eating if you know how to handle the Y-bones. Pike will hit big spoons, spinners, or live bait, but they're not picky - I've seen them take lures almost as big as themselves. Pro tip: always use a steel leader and keep your fingers clear of those teeth. When a pike follows your lure to the boat, try a figure-eight motion right at the surface - that often triggers the strike.
Sander VitreusWalleye are the golden prize of our northern waters, running 15-30 inches with those distinctive glassy eyes that help them hunt in low light. These fish love rocky bottoms, drop-offs, and weed edges in deeper water during the day, then move shallow to feed at dawn and dusk. Spring and fall are prime time, but winter ice fishing can be outstanding when you find them in 15-25 feet over structure. Walleye are prized for their mild, flaky white fillets - easily some of the best table fare around. They're not huge fighters, but they're smart and can be picky about presentation. The key is staying near bottom with live bait or jigs tipped with minnows. Here's a local trick: when walleye fishing gets tough, try bouncing a jig super slow right on the rocks. That subtle bottom contact often triggers bites when nothing else works.
Oswego County