5.0(3 Reviews)Half Day Ice Fishing in Michigan's Hottest Spots
5.0(3 reviews)
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Six-hour guided ice fishing adventure targeting multiple speciesExpert techniques using live bait, lures, and tip-ups providedMultiple premier fishing locations across Michigan available
When Michigan's lakes freeze solid and the ice gets thick enough to support serious angling, that's when the real fun begins. This 6-hour guided ice fishing trip with REEL'D IN OUTDOORS GUIDE SERVICE puts you right in the middle of some of the state's most productive winter fishing action. Whether you're a first-timer who's never drilled a hole or a seasoned ice angler looking for new water, this trip delivers the goods. We're talking about targeting everything from slab crappie to aggressive northern pike, all while staying warm and learning the tricks that separate successful ice anglers from those who go home empty-handed.
Your guide Isaac knows Michigan ice fishing like the back of his hand, and he's not shy about sharing what works. This isn't some cookie-cutter experience where you sit in one spot all day hoping something bites. We move around, drill holes where the fish are actually holding, and adjust our approach based on what's happening below the ice. The trip covers prime waters throughout Newaygo County, but depending on conditions and what's biting, you might find yourself on the Saginaw River system, Big Star Lake near Baldwin, or even Muskegon Lake. Each spot has its own personality and fish behavior patterns, which is why having a local guide makes all the difference. You'll get hands-on instruction with everything from reading your electronics to setting the drag properly when a big walleye decides to make a run under the ice.
We run a mixed bag of techniques because that's what works best on Michigan ice. Live bait is always a solid producer – think minnows for walleye and pike, wax worms for panfish, and whatever else is working that particular day. But we also lean heavy on artificial lures, especially small jigs and spoons that trigger reaction strikes from suspended fish. Tip-ups are part of the arsenal too, letting us cover more water and target different depths simultaneously. You'll learn how to work a jig properly in that subtle ice fishing style, how to read your flasher to see fish coming up from the depths, and when to be aggressive versus when to finesse your presentation. The beauty of ice fishing is that you can see everything happening on your electronics – when fish move in, when they're interested but not committed, and when it's time to change up your approach completely.
"Experienced guide. Very easy to get along with. Kept us on fish all day long. Look forward to fishing with him again soon!" - Conner James
"have not had the opportunity to fish with this young man but his knowledge has already put food on out table...thanks for the willingness to teach" - Dani
"My wife and I got to fish on Muskegon River for trout/steelhead and we had an absolute blast with Isaac!! Never experienced trout fishing before and Isaac got his gear for us and trained us on techniques for them, sure enough we caught our first trout and they were brown trout along with success on some smallmouth too!! Big thank you to Isaac for taking us out on an amazing trip and we are already looking at doing this again in the springtime! Highly recommend Isaac with Reel'd In Outdoors for trout/steelhead fishing!!" - Mason
Crappie are absolute ice fishing favorites in Michigan, and for good reason. These slab-sided panfish school up tight during winter months, often suspending over deep basins or relating to submerged structure. When you find a school of crappie through the ice, you can often catch them steady for hours. They're suckers for small jigs tipped with wax worms or spikes, and they fight surprisingly hard in cold water. The best crappie fishing typically happens during low-light periods – early morning, late afternoon, and overcast days when they move shallow to feed. What makes crappie special is their table fare; these fish are absolutely delicious and perfect for a weekend fish fry.
Walleye fishing through the ice is a whole different game than summer trolling, but it's just as productive when you know what you're doing. These fish stay active all winter long, cruising along drop-offs and points looking for easy meals. They're structure-oriented, so finding the right depth and bottom contour is crucial. Walleye respond well to both live minnows and artificial presentations, particularly blade baits and jigging spoons worked aggressively to trigger reaction strikes. The bite often happens right at the bottom, and walleye have a tendency to grab your bait and swim toward you, so staying alert and watching your electronics is key. Michigan walleye are known for their size and fighting ability, plus they're fantastic eating.
Northern pike bring the aggression factor to ice fishing that gets your heart pumping. These toothy predators don't slow down much in winter – they're still ambush hunters looking for an easy meal. Pike often cruise the edges of weed beds and shallow bays, making them perfect targets for tip-up fishing with larger minnows. When a pike hits, there's no mistaking it – tip-up flags start flying and you better get over there fast. They're known for making long runs and jumping even through the ice hole if you're not careful. Pike fishing requires heavier tackle and steel leaders to handle their razor-sharp teeth, but the explosive strikes make it worth the extra gear.
American Yellow Perch might be smaller than the other species, but they make up for it in numbers and taste. These striped panfish travel in schools and can provide non-stop action when you locate them. Perch are bottom-oriented fish that respond well to small jigs, tiny spoons, and live bait presentations. They're perfect for beginners because they bite aggressively and don't require finesse techniques. During peak feeding periods, you can catch perch as fast as you
Perca FlavescensYellow perch are the bread and butter of Michigan ice fishing - reliable, tasty, and perfect for anglers of all skill levels. These golden beauties with dark vertical stripes typically run 6-10 inches and travel in schools of 50 or more fish. You'll find them over sand and gravel bottoms near weed edges in 12-25 feet of water. Perch stay active all winter, making them ideal ice fishing targets when other species shut down. What guests love most is the consistent action and sweet, firm white meat that's perfect for a fish fry. They're also great for kids since they bite readily and aren't too strong to handle. The secret to big perch numbers is mobility - we drill multiple holes and keep moving until we locate the school. Once you find them, small jigs tipped with wigglers or small minnows will keep you busy all day.
Lepomis MacrochirusBluegill are the perfect fish for building confidence and having steady action on the ice. These scrappy panfish average 6-8 inches but can reach 10+ inches, and they're some of the best fighters pound-for-pound in freshwater. Look for them in shallow bays and around structure like downed trees or weed beds in 6-15 feet of water. They school up tight during winter, often mixing with crappie. What makes bluegill special is their willingness to bite and their sweet, flaky meat that's outstanding on the table. Kids especially love them because they're aggressive and put up a great fight on light tackle. Bluegill will hit almost anything - worms, small jigs, even bread crumbs. Here's my favorite bluegill tip: use a small ice jig tipped with a wax worm and barely jiggle it. When they're finicky, the subtle presentation often triggers bites when more aggressive jigging won't.
Pomoxis NigromaculatusCrappie are some of the tastiest fish swimming in Michigan waters, running 7-12 inches and typically weighing about a pound. We've got both black and white crappie here - you can tell them apart by the black's scattered speckled pattern versus the white's vertical bars. These fish love hanging around submerged structure like fallen trees, brush piles, and weed edges in 8-15 feet of water. They school up tight, so when you find one, there's usually more nearby. Ice fishing season is prime time since they're less spooky under the ice. What makes crappie special is their sweet, flaky white meat - hands down one of the best eating fish we target. My go-to tip: once you mark fish on the finder, drop a small jig tipped with a minnow and barely twitch it. Crappie have soft mouths, so keep steady pressure but don't horse them up.
Esox LuciusNorthern pike are the apex predators in our lakes - aggressive, toothy, and always ready to fight. These green missiles average 24-30 inches but can stretch over 40 inches and weigh 15+ pounds. Pike lurk in weedy bays, along drop-offs, and near structure in 8-25 feet of water, ambushing anything that moves. Winter is actually prime time for big pike since they're active under the ice when other species slow down. What makes pike fishing special is their explosive strikes and bulldogging runs - they'll test your drag and your nerves. While not the best table fare, they're pure adrenaline on the end of your line. Pike have razor-sharp teeth, so we always use wire leaders and sturdy tip-ups. Pro tip: when a pike takes your bait, let it run for 10-15 seconds before setting the hook - they like to grab prey sideways first, then turn it to swallow headfirst.
Sander VitreusWalleye are Michigan's premier game fish, and for good reason. These golden-colored beauties average 15-20 inches but can push 30 inches and weigh over 10 pounds. Those distinctive glassy eyes help them hunt in low light, which is when they're most active - early morning, evening, and through the ice. You'll find them near rocky structure, drop-offs, and weed lines in 15-35 feet of water during winter. Walleye are known for their incredible table fare - firm, white, flaky meat with virtually no fishy taste. They're also scrappy fighters that make long runs and headshakes. The key to consistent walleye fishing is staying mobile and checking different structures until you locate schools. Here's a local trick: when you hook one, don't immediately move your other lines. Walleye often travel in groups, and you might double up before the school moves off.
5.0 out of 5.0Experienced guide. Very easy to get along with. Kept us on fish all day long. Look forward to fishing with him again soon!
have not had the opportunity to fish with this young man but his knowledge has already put food on out table...thanks for the will...
My wife and I got to fish on Muskegon River for trout/steelhead and we had an absolute blast with Isaac!! Never experienced trout ...
Newaygo, Michigan, USA