Ice Fish Black Lake or St. Lawrence River
Private Trip
Lakes/Reservoirs/Ponds Fishing
Ice fishing on Black Lake or St. Lawrence River optionsHeated ice shacks with hot meals and transportation includedTarget perch, bluegill, crappie, walleye, and pike species
When the lakes lock up solid and most folks pack away their gear, that's when the real fishing begins. Captain Elija's ice fishing trips on Black Lake and the St. Lawrence River offer you a shot at some of the region's best cold-water action, all from heated ice shacks with hot meals to keep you fueled up. Whether you're after the panfish paradise of Black Lake or chasing trophy walleye on the mighty St. Lawrence, this is ice fishing done right – no frozen fingers or chattering teeth here.
This isn't your grandfather's ice fishing where you're huddled over a hole with a bucket for a seat. Captain Elija sets you up in comfortable ice shacks that'll keep you warm while you work the depths below. You've got two killer options: Black Lake for perch, bluegill, crappie, and northern pike, or the St. Lawrence River where walleye and pike rule the underwater landscape. The best part? Transportation is handled, so you just show up ready to fish. Pick your meeting spot based on which water calls to you, and the captain handles the logistics. With space for just two anglers, you get personalized attention and aren't competing with a crowd for prime holes.
Captain Elija comes prepared with everything you need to punch through the ice and get lines down fast. We're talking quality ice augers, tip-ups, jigging rods, and all the tackle that's been proven on these waters season after season. The ice shacks are equipped with heaters, so you can fish in comfort even when the mercury drops below zero. Live bait and artificials are matched to whatever's biting best – minnows for walleye and pike, waxworms and small jigs for the panfish. The captain reads the ice conditions and sets up over structure, drop-offs, and current breaks where fish concentrate during winter months. You'll learn proper jigging techniques, how to work tip-ups effectively, and when to set the hook on those subtle winter bites.
American Yellow Perch are the bread and butter of Black Lake winter fishing. These golden beauties school up tight in 15-25 feet of water and provide steady action when you find them. They average 8-10 inches here, with some pushing 12+ inches – perfect for the dinner table. Perch bite best during low light periods, early morning and late afternoon, making them ideal targets for day trips. What makes them special is their aggressive winter feeding and the way they'll often bring friends when you hook one.
Bluegill might be small, but they punch above their weight class in fighting spirit. Black Lake's bluegill population includes some real slabs that'll bend your ultralight rod double. They hold tight to structure and vegetation edges, even under the ice. The bigger ones are incredibly spooky, requiring finesse presentations with tiny jigs and light line. Landing a plate-sized bluegill through an ice hole takes patience and skill that'll make you appreciate these scrappy panfish.
Crappie are the wildcards that can make your day when they show up. These paper-mouths suspend over deeper water and move in schools, so when you find them, the action can be fast and furious. Black Lake crappie average 10-12 inches with some real slabs pushing 14+ inches. They're incredibly light biters in cold water, requiring sensitive equipment and constant attention to your line. The payoff is sweet, flaky fillets that are among the best eating fish in freshwater.
Northern Pike are the apex predators lurking in both Black Lake and the St. Lawrence River. These toothy missiles provide heart-stopping action when they slam your bait and make blistering runs under the ice. St. Lawrence pike grow bigger thanks to the abundant forage base, with fish over 30 inches common and 40+ inch specimens always possible. They're ambush feeders that love tip-ups with large minnows set near weed edges and drop-offs. The fight is raw power combined with aerial acrobatics that'll test your drag system.
Walleye are the crown jewel of St. Lawrence River ice fishing and the main reason serious anglers brave winter conditions. These golden-flanked beauties are masters of low-light feeding, making dawn and dusk prime time for trophy action. The river's current and structure create perfect walleye habitat, producing fish from 15-28+ inches regularly. They're incredibly light biters, requiring sensitive equipment and keen attention to subtle line movements. What makes St. Lawrence walleye special is their size, fight, and table quality – they're considered the ultimate eating fish by most anglers who've tasted them fresh.
Ice fishing season is short and sweet, and the best days book up fast with repeat customers who know what Captain Elija delivers. Whether you choose Black Lake's panfish buffet or the St. Lawrence River's walleye and pike action, you're getting a top-rated ice fishing experience that beats sitting at home waiting for spring. The heated shacks, included transportation, and hot meals mean you can focus on what matters – putting fish on the ice. Don't let another winter pass watching others post their catches on social media. Grab your spot now and find out why this customer favorite keeps anglers coming back season after season, even when the thermometer says stay inside.
Perca FlavescensYellow perch are the bread and butter of Black Lake ice fishing, perfect for families and anyone wanting steady action. These golden fish with dark vertical stripes typically run 7-9 inches and travel in big schools, so when you find them, the cooler fills up fast. They hang out in 10-20 feet of water near weed beds and sandy bottoms, staying active all winter long. Perch are fantastic eating - sweet, firm white meat that's hard to beat. Kids love catching them because they bite readily and fight hard for their size. The real bonus is finding a school - you can catch dozens in one spot. Here's my local secret: look for them on the edges of underwater humps and points. Once you mark fish on your finder, drop small jigs tipped with minnows or worms right to bottom and work them slow. Keep moving until you find the school.
Lepomis MacrochirusBluegill are perfect starter fish that'll keep you busy in Black Lake's shallow, weedy bays. These pancake-shaped fish run 6-8 inches and pack a surprising fight for their size. They love hanging around docks, fallen logs, and thick vegetation in 5-12 feet of water where they can dart in and out of cover quickly. Ice fishing for bluegill is productive all winter, and they're excellent eating with sweet, mild meat. Families especially enjoy them since they're not picky eaters and provide constant action. These fish school up in groups of 10-20, so finding one usually means more are nearby. The trick is using tiny hooks and light line - bluegill have small mouths but big appetites. Drop a small jig tipped with a worm or wax worm near structure and be ready for that telltale bobber dance. They'll often mouth the bait first, so patience helps.
Pomoxis NigromaculatusCrappie are some of the tastiest panfish you'll find in Black Lake, running 7-12 inches and about a pound on average. These schooling fish love hanging around submerged structure like fallen trees and weed beds in 8-15 feet of water. Both black and white crappie call these waters home - blacks have random speckles while whites show vertical bars along their sides. Winter through ice is prime time since they stay active in cold water and school up tight. Guests love them for their sweet, flaky white meat that's perfect for a fish fry. They're scrappy fighters for their size too. Pro tip: when you find one crappie, work that spot thoroughly - where there's one, there's usually a whole school waiting. Small jigs and minnows work best, and don't be afraid to fish right in the timber.
Esox LuciusNorthern pike are the water wolves of both Black Lake and the St. Lawrence - aggressive predators averaging 24-30 inches that'll absolutely slam your bait. These greenish fish with yellowish spots lurk in shallow, weedy areas and around structure where they ambush anything that moves. They're active year-round, making them perfect for ice fishing when other species slow down. Pike hit hard and fight dirty with powerful runs and head shakes that'll test your drag. While they're not the best table fare, the action is addictive. These fish have serious teeth, so bring a net and pliers. My go-to trick: use tip-ups with big shiners and set them near weed edges or drop-offs. When that flag pops, give them time to swallow before setting the hook. Pike like to grab and run, so let them take line first.
Sander VitreusWalleye are the crown jewel of the St. Lawrence River, averaging 15-20 inches with some pushing 5+ pounds. These golden-sided fish have those distinctive glassy eyes that help them hunt in low light. They stick to deeper water during the day, usually 15-25 feet along rock piles and drop-offs, then move shallow at dusk to feed. Ice fishing is prime time - they stay active all winter and the bite can be fantastic. What makes walleye special is that incredible eating quality - firm, white, almost no fishy taste. They're also smart fish that'll test your skills. Here's the key: fish right on bottom with live minnows or small jigs. They're light biters, so watch your rod tip closely. A gentle tap is often all you'll feel before they're gone. Patience pays off big with these fish.
Ogdensburg, NY