Ice Fish Black Lake or St. Lawrence River
Private Trip
Lakes/Reservoirs/Ponds Fishing
Ice fishing for perch, bluegill, crappie, walleye, and pikeHeated ice shacks with hot meals and transportation includedChoose between Black Lake or St. Lawrence River locations
When the lakes lock up solid and most folks are putting their gear away for the season, that's when the real action starts. Captain Elija runs a top-rated ice fishing operation that'll get you on some of the best hard water in the region. You've got two killer options: Black Lake for a mixed bag of panfish and pike, or the mighty St. Lawrence River where walleye and northern pike rule the depths. Either way, you're fishing from heated ice shacks with hot meals and full transportation - no hauling gear across sketchy ice or freezing your tail off in a bucket.
This isn't your typical drill-a-hole-and-hope ice fishing trip. Captain Elija's got you covered from the moment you meet up at your chosen location. The heated ice shacks are game-changers - you can fish in comfort while the wind's howling outside, and that hot meal hits different when you're out on the hard water. Black Lake delivers steady action with perch, bluegill, crappie, and the occasional pike to keep your drag screaming. If you're after bigger fish, the St. Lawrence River is where you want to be - those walleye run thick, and the northern pike in there are absolute tanks. With just two anglers per trip, you're getting personalized attention and prime real estate in the shack.
Ice fishing is all about finesse and patience, but don't let that fool you - when fish are biting, things get hectic fast. You'll be working short rods with sensitive tips, watching your line like a hawk for those subtle bites that barely register. The beauty of fishing from established shacks means your holes are already cut and positioned over proven spots where Captain Elija knows fish hold. Live bait like minnows and worms are the go-to, but small jigs and spoons can trigger aggressive strikes when fish are active. The key is staying mobile between holes and adjusting your presentation based on what the fish are telling you. Some days they want bait sitting still on bottom, other days they'll chase a jigged spoon all the way to the surface.
Crappie are the crowd-pleasers on Black Lake, schooling up in big numbers during winter months. These slab-sided fighters average 8-12 inches but the bigger ones push over a pound and provide excellent table fare. They suspend at different depths throughout the day, so finding them is half the battle. Once you locate a school, you can fill your bucket fast. Crappie bite light, so keeping your line tight and watching for subtle movements is crucial.
American Yellow Perch are the bread and butter of ice fishing here, and Black Lake grows some beauties. These striped fighters are aggressive feeders in winter, often hitting bait hard enough to nearly pull the rod from your hands. The jumbo perch run 10-14 inches and are absolutely delicious. They travel in schools, so when you find one, there's usually more below. Perch fishing is perfect for beginners since they bite consistently and fight hard for their size.
Bluegill might be small, but they make up for it with attitude. Black Lake's bluegill are feisty little fighters that'll bend your rod double. They're excellent for keeping kids engaged since the action stays consistent, and they're some of the best eating fish you'll find. Look for them in shallow bays with weed cover, where they feed on small invertebrates throughout the winter.
Northern Pike are the apex predators in both locations, and hooking one through the ice gets your heart pumping. St. Lawrence River pike are legendary - these toothy predators can stretch over 40 inches and provide battles you'll talk about for years. They're ambush hunters that lurk near structure and weed edges, exploding on bait with violent strikes. Black Lake pike are smaller but no less aggressive, perfect for anglers who want pike action without needing heavy tackle.
Walleye are the crown jewel of St. Lawrence River ice fishing. These golden-sided beauties are prized for their delicate white meat and challenging nature. Winter walleye often feed during low-light periods, making early morning and evening the prime times. They're structure-oriented fish that hold tight to drop-offs and rocky areas. A trophy walleye pulling drag under the ice is something every angler should experience - they're strong, smart, and absolutely delicious.
Ice fishing with Captain Elija isn't just about catching fish - though you'll definitely do that. It's about experiencing winter fishing done right, with all the comfort and none of the hassle. Whether you choose Black Lake's variety pack of panfish and pike or the St. Lawrence's walleye and northern pike action, you're getting a world-class ice fishing experience. The heated shacks, hot meals, and transportation mean you can focus on what matters: getting fish to bite and enjoying time on the ice. Winter fishing seasons are short and weather-dependent, so don't wait too long to secure your dates. This customer favorite trip books up fast once word gets around about the bite.
Perca FlavescensYellow perch are the bread and butter of Black Lake ice fishing, and for good reason. These golden beauties with dark vertical stripes typically run 8-10 inches, perfect for the pan. They school up tight in winter around weed beds and drop-offs in 12-25 feet of water, making for fast action once you locate them. Perch stay active all winter, often providing steady bites when other species slow down. Guests love them because they're easy to catch, fight well for their size, and taste outstanding - sweet, firm fillets that are hard to beat. Kids especially get hooked on perch fishing since the action stays consistent. Local secret: tip your small jigs with perch eyes or small pieces of perch belly meat. The other perch in the school go crazy for it, and you'll often double your catch rate with that simple trick.
Lepomis MacrochirusBluegill are perfect for families and anyone wanting consistent action on Black Lake. These colorful panfish average 6-8 inches with some reaching 10+ inches, and they pack a surprising punch for their size. Look for them in shallow bays around fallen timber, weed beds, and docks in 5-15 feet of water. Spring through early summer is prime time, but they bite year-round through the ice too. What makes bluegill special is their scrappy fight - they'll bend your ultralight rod in half and never give up. Plus, they're excellent eating with sweet, white meat that's hard to beat fried up fresh. Kids love them since they're not picky eaters and provide steady action. Here's a guide tip: use the smallest hook you can find with a piece of worm. Bluegill have small mouths, and downsizing your tackle will double your hookup ratio.
Pomoxis NigromaculatusCrappie are some of the tastiest panfish you'll find in Black Lake, running 8-12 inches and about a pound on average. These schooling fish love hanging around submerged timber, weed lines, and brush piles in 10-20 feet of water. Both black and white crappie swim these waters - blacks have random speckles while whites show distinct vertical bars. Winter ice fishing is prime time since they stay active in cold water and group up tight. Guests love them for their sweet, flaky meat and the steady action once you locate a school. They're not huge fighters, but when you find one, there's usually a dozen more nearby. Here's a local trick: once you mark fish on the sonar, try a small jig tipped with a minnow head and fish it just off bottom - that combo rarely fails.
Esox LuciusPike are the apex predators in both Black Lake and the St. Lawrence - long, lean, and loaded with teeth. These green torpedoes average 24-30 inches but can stretch past 40 inches and 15+ pounds. They ambush prey from weed edges, drop-offs, and rocky points in 8-25 feet of water. Ice season is fantastic because they stay aggressive all winter and the weed cover makes them easier to pattern. Guests get fired up about pike for the explosive strikes and bulldogging fights - plus that prehistoric look with those razor teeth. They're decent eating if you know how to deal with the Y-bones. Here's something most folks don't know: when a pike follows your lure but won't commit, drop it right to bottom and let it sit. That pause often triggers the strike. Always bring wire leaders - trust me on this one.
Sander VitreusSt. Lawrence walleye are built for low-light feeding with those signature glowing eyes, and they use that advantage well. These golden-sided predators typically run 15-20 inches here, with some pushing 24+ inches and 6-8 pounds. They stick to rock piles, drop-offs, and current breaks in 15-40 feet of water during the day, then move shallow at dusk to hunt. Winter through the ice is actually prime time - they stay active and feed aggressively in cold water. Guests love walleye for two reasons: they fight hard with head-shaking runs, and the meat is absolutely top-shelf eating. Firm, white, and mild - there's nothing better on the plate. Pro tip from years on this water: when jigging, let your bait hit bottom, then lift it just 6 inches and hold. Most bites come on the pause, not the lift.
Ogdensburg, NY