Full-Day Inland Ice Fishing – Southeastern Wisconsin
Private Trip
Lakes/Reservoirs/Ponds Fishing
Sevenhour guided ice fishing targeting multiple species on local lakesHeated shelters and professional equipment provided for maximum comfortAccess to prime waters like Geneva Lake and Pleasant Lake
When winter locks up the lakes in southeastern Wisconsin, that's when the real fishing begins. This isn't your average weekend hole-punching session – we're talking about a serious 7-hour ice fishing adventure that'll have you dialed in on multiple species across some of the region's most productive waters. Whether you're just getting your ice legs or you've been chasing fish through frozen lakes for years, this trip is built around one thing: putting you on fish while keeping you comfortable doing it.
We're fishing the cream of the crop when it comes to southeastern Wisconsin's inland waters – Pleasant Lake, Como Lake, Turtle Lake, Geneva Lake, Delavan Lake, and a handful of smaller glacial and kettle lakes that most folks drive right past without knowing what's swimming underneath. The beauty of having this many options is that we can chase the bite. Ice conditions change, fish move, and weather shifts – but with this arsenal of spots, we're always fishing where the action is hottest. You'll be targeting a mixed bag that keeps things interesting: northern pike that'll test your drag, walleye that know how to make you work for dinner, bass that don't quit fighting just because there's ice overhead, and panfish that can turn a slow morning into a fast-paced afternoon. The whole setup revolves around heated ice shelters, so you're fishing in comfort even when the wind's howling across the lake surface above.
Forget about hand-drilling holes and frozen fingers – we're running Jiffy ice drills that punch through like butter and keep us mobile when we need to chase schools or switch presentations. When we're targeting the big boys like northern pike, we're setting up Beaver Dam tip-ups paired with Clam Ice huts and HT hook-setting devices. This isn't just about having fancy gear – it's about hook-up ratios and making sure when a fish commits, you're connected. The tip-ups let us cover water while we're working other holes, and those HT units mean fewer fish shaking off at the hole. All your rods, reels, tackle, and gear come with the trip, plus we've got warm gear available if you need it. The whole system is designed so you can focus on fishing instead of fumbling with equipment or trying to stay warm.
Walleye are the bread and butter of these waters, and winter fishing puts you right in their wheelhouse. These fish move into deeper structure during the cold months, typically holding in 15-25 feet of water near drop-offs and humps. They're most active during low-light periods – early morning, late afternoon, and overcast days when the bite can absolutely light up. What makes walleye special is their fight through the ice feels completely different than summer – they use the water column and that cold water gives them extra stamina. Plus, winter walleye are some of the best eating you'll find all year.
Northern pike are the adrenaline rush of ice fishing, and southeastern Wisconsin's lakes hold some real bruisers. These ambush predators love to lurk around weed edges and structure, even in winter when vegetation dies back. Pike stay aggressive all winter long, and there's nothing quite like watching a tip-up flag pop when a 30-inch fish decides your presentation looks like an easy meal. They'll make long runs under the ice, and the fight is pure chaos – which is exactly why we love them. The key with pike is being ready to move fast when you hook up, because they know every snag and weed clump down there.
American Yellow Perch might be smaller than the flashy pike and walleye, but they're pure fun on light tackle and often save the day when bigger fish are being finicky. Winter perch school up tight, so when you find them, you can fill a bucket fast. They're typically holding in 8-15 feet of water near bottom structure, and they're aggressive feeders even in the coldest conditions. Perch fishing teaches you finesse – light jigs, subtle presentations, and reading those soft bites that barely move your rod tip. They're also fantastic table fare, which makes a good perch bite even more rewarding.
Largemouth Bass don't get the winter credit they deserve, but they're still very catchable through the ice if you know where to look. These fish move slower in cold water but they still need to eat, and they often hold tight to any remaining cover – fallen trees, rock piles, or deeper weed edges. Winter bass fishing requires patience and persistence, but when you connect with a solid largemouth through 18 inches of ice, it's a fight you won't forget. They bulldoze differently in cold water, using their weight and the resistance to try to throw the hook. It's technical fishing that really shows off your ice angling skills.
This is ice fishing done right – professional equipment, productive waters, heated shelters, and a guide who knows where fish live in each of these lakes. At $650 for up to two anglers, you're getting a full day of fishing that covers everything from gear to local knowledge to keeping you comfortable on the ice. We can accommodate larger groups with additional guides, so whether it's a buddy trip or a bigger crew looking to get into some winter fishing, we've got you covered. The ice season is shorter than we'd like and the good fishing windows don't wait around, so grab your dates while the lakes are locked up and the fish are biting.
Perca FlavescensYellow perch are the perfect fish for families and new anglers - they're eager biters, travel in schools, and make excellent table fare. These golden fish with dark vertical stripes usually run 6-10 inches, perfect pan size. You'll find them schooled up around weed beds, docks, and structure in 10-20 feet during winter. They're active all day under the ice, unlike some species that get finicky. What makes perch special is when you find one, there's usually dozens more below. The sweet, mild meat is some of the best eating you'll find in freshwater. They're not big fighters, but the steady action keeps everyone busy. Here's the key: use small jigs tipped with waxworms or minnow heads, and once you mark fish, drill multiple holes in that area - schools move but stay in the neighborhood.
Micropterus SalmoidesLargemouth bass under the ice are a different animal than their summer selves - slower but still willing to bite when you find them right. These chunky green fish typically run 12-16 inches in our lakes, with some real toads pushing 4-5 pounds in spots like Geneva Lake. Winter bass hang tight to structure - fallen trees, rock piles, deep weed edges in 15-25 feet. They're not as active as pike or perch, but when they hit, you know it. Bass give a solid fight even in cold water, with that classic head-shaking action. The meat's decent if you're into it, but most folks release them. Ice fishing for bass takes patience since they're sluggish, but small jigs worked super slow near bottom will get their attention. Pro tip: if you're not getting bit in 10 minutes, move - they're either there or they're not.
Esox LuciusNorthern pike are the lake wolves - aggressive predators that'll slam your bait hard and give you a memorable fight. These toothy beasts average 24-30 inches but can push 40+ in our deeper lakes like Geneva and Delavan. They patrol weed lines, drop-offs, and shallow bays looking for easy meals. Pike stay active all winter, making them perfect ice targets when other fish slow down. What guests love is that explosive strike and the way they'll make runs that test your drag. The meat's actually pretty good if you know how to deal with the Y-bones. My go-to setup is tip-ups with big shiners near weed edges in 6-12 feet. Quick tip: when that flag pops, give them time to swallow before setting the hook - they like to play with their food first.
Sander VitreusWalleye are the gold standard for eating fish around here - that sweet, flaky white meat is hard to beat. These golden-colored fish with those distinctive glassy eyes typically run 12-18 inches, though we see some nice 20+ inchers during winter. They love our glacial lakes' sand and gravel bottoms, especially around drop-offs and weed edges in 8-15 feet of water. Ice fishing is actually prime time since they're more active in cold water and low light. Walleye are scrappy fighters that make subtle runs, not big jumps. The key trick I share is using a small jig with a minnow head and work it slow - they'll often just mouth it gently, so watch for that slight tick in your line. Their night vision gives them a real advantage under the ice.
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