Wisconsin Ice Fishing Charter for Walleye and Panfish
Private Trip
Lakes/Reservoirs/Ponds Fishing
Four-hour ice fishing charter targeting walleye and panfish speciesAll gear, tackle, and safety equipment provided for guestsMultiple accessible lake locations including Big Eau Pleine and Lake Du Bay
Captain Cody Sirny knows Wisconsin ice fishing like the back of his hand, and he's ready to put you on fish this winter. This top-rated 4-hour charter targets walleye, northern pike, perch, bluegill, and crappie across some of central Wisconsin's most productive frozen waters. Whether you're a first-timer who's never jigged through ice or a seasoned angler looking for a new spot, Cody's got you covered with all the gear, local knowledge, and patience you need for a successful day on the hard water.
You'll meet Captain Cody at easily accessible launch points near Big Eau Pleine, Lake Du Bay, Lake Wausau, or the backwater areas along the Wisconsin River - all renowned fishing destinations that consistently produce good catches throughout the ice season. This isn't about hiking miles across sketchy ice with a sled full of gear. Cody picks spots where you can get fishing fast and focus on what matters: putting fish on the ice. The 4-hour window gives you plenty of time to work different depths and structures without feeling rushed. Since the charter maxes out at 2 anglers, you'll get personalized attention and won't be fighting for the best holes. All ice fishing gear, tackle, and safety equipment come included, so you just need to bring your Wisconsin fishing license, some snacks, and drinks to keep you fueled up during the action.
Captain Cody provides everything from ice augers and shelters to rods, reels, and a full selection of jigs, spoons, and live bait. He'll have you fishing with the right tackle for conditions - maybe small tungsten jigs tipped with waxworms for finicky bluegills, or larger jigging spoons for aggressive walleye and pike. The beauty of this charter is that Cody reads the ice conditions and fish behavior, then adjusts techniques on the fly. Some days that means staying mobile and drilling lots of holes to find active schools. Other times, you'll set up in a heated shelter over a productive structure and work the area thoroughly. He'll teach you how to read your electronics, feel the subtle bites that separate good ice anglers from the rest, and work different presentations until you find what the fish want. Safety is always the priority - Cody checks ice thickness regularly and carries all necessary safety gear so you can focus on fishing instead of worrying about conditions.
Walleye are the crown jewel of Wisconsin ice fishing, and these waters hold some beauties. They typically suspend over deeper structure during winter, relating to points, humps, and drop-offs where they ambush baitfish. Walleye bite best during low-light periods - early morning, late afternoon, and those overcast days when the bite can stay hot all day long. Expect fish in the 14-18 inch range with bigger ones always possible. The way a walleye takes a jig through the ice is pure magic - that subtle thump followed by steady weight as they swim off with your bait.
Northern Pike bring the excitement factor to ice fishing like nothing else. These apex predators cruise the shallow bays and weed edges, even in winter, looking for an easy meal. Pike fishing through the ice means bigger tackle, quick hooksets, and heart-pounding fights in tight quarters. Wisconsin pike commonly run 24-30 inches with fish over 36 inches caught regularly. They hit hard and fight harder, making long runs under the ice that'll test your drag and your nerves. The key is fishing near remaining green weeds or structures where baitfish concentrate.
American Yellow Perch are a customer favorite for good reason - they're delicious, fun to catch, and often travel in schools that can keep you busy for hours. Wisconsin perch run a nice size, with fish in the 8-12 inch range being common. They're typically found over deeper flats and basin areas, suspended at specific depths that change with weather and time of day. Once you locate a school of feeding perch, the action can be fast and furious with multiple fish per hole. They have a distinctive bite - quick taps followed by steady pressure as they swim up with your bait.
Bluegill are the perfect species for anglers new to ice fishing. They're aggressive, plentiful, and found in relatively shallow water near cover like fallen trees, weed beds, and docks. Wisconsin bluegill can surprise you with their size - fish over 8 inches are caught regularly, and those slab-sided spawners are some of the best eating fish that swim. They bite small presentations aggressively, making them ideal for kids or anyone who wants steady action. The trick is finding the bigger fish, which often hold slightly deeper than the smaller ones.
Crappie are the wildcard species that can make your day when they're biting. These schooling fish suspend over deeper water and can be tough to locate, but when you find them, the action is fast. Wisconsin crappie often run 10-13 inches, making them excellent table fare. They're notorious for finicky feeding, requiring light tackle and subtle presentations. Crappie often bite best during stable weather periods and can be found at very specific depths - sometimes just a foot difference between fish and no fish.
This world-class ice fishing charter offers everything you need for a successful day on Wisconsin's frozen lakes without the hassle of hauling gear or guessing where to fish. Captain Cody's local knowledge, quality equipment, and dedication to putting his clients on fish make this a best trip choice for anyone looking to experience Wisconsin ice fishing at its finest. The 2-angler limit ensures a personalized experience where you'll learn techniques and locations that'll serve you well for years to come. Don't spend another winter wondering what you're missing under the ice - book your charter with Sirny's Guide Service and get
Captain Cody's 20-foot Sirny's Guide Service boat cuts through Wisconsin waters with authority, powered by a reliable 120-horsepower Suzuki engine that gets you to the hottest fishing spots quickly. This well-equipped vessel comfortably handles up to 4 anglers while you target walleye and panfish across Big Eau Pleine, Lake Du Bay, and Lake Wausau. The onboard GPS navigation system helps locate productive structure, while the fish finder pinpoints schools of fish lurking below the surface. Built for serious fishing, this motorboat provides a stable platform whether you're jigging for walleye in deeper water or working the shallows for bluegill and perch. The spacious deck gives everyone room to work their lines without tangling, and Captain Cody knows exactly where fish are biting on any given day across these productive Wisconsin waters.
Perca FlavescensYellow perch are steady producers that run 7-10 inches with those classic golden stripes - perfect for folks who want consistent action. These schooling fish hang out in 10-25 feet of water around structure like fallen trees, rock piles, and weed lines throughout winter. Ice season is prime time since perch stay active and bunch up in good numbers. They're a blast because once you find a school, you can catch fish after fish. Plus, perch are fantastic eating with sweet, firm meat that's easy to clean and cook. The real bonus is they're great for beginners since they bite readily and aren't too finicky. Here's the trick with perch: when you catch one, mark that exact spot and fish it hard. Perch travel in schools of 50-200 fish, so if there's one below you, there's likely a pile of them. Use small jigs with waxworms or minnow heads.
Lepomis MacrochirusBluegill are the perfect starter fish, averaging 6-8 inches with those bright colors and spunky attitudes. They love shallow bays and areas with fallen logs, weed beds, or structure in 8-15 feet of water during winter. Ice fishing for bluegill is productive all day long, but dawn and dusk tend to be most active. These little fighters are pound-for-pound some of the scrappiest fish you'll hook, and they make excellent eating with sweet, white meat. They're also perfect for kids since they're not picky eaters and provide steady action to keep everyone engaged. The secret with bluegill is downsizing everything - tiny hooks, light line, and small baits. They have small mouths, so a piece of waxworm on a size 8 hook will outfish bigger presentations every time. Watch your rod tip closely because their bites can be subtle.
Pomoxis NigromaculatusCrappies run 7-12 inches and typically weigh around a pound, making them perfect panfish for the cooler. We've got both black and white crappie in these waters - blacks prefer the clearer areas while whites handle murkier spots just fine. Winter is prime time since they school up tight in deeper pockets, especially around fallen timber and brush piles in 15-25 feet of water. What makes crappie fishing fun is their light bite and the fact that where you catch one, there's usually a dozen more. Plus, they're hands down some of the best eating fish we target - sweet, flaky white meat that's tough to beat. My go-to trick is downsizing your jig when the bite gets tough. Everyone thinks bigger is better, but a tiny 1/32 oz jig will often outfish everything else when crappies get finicky under the ice.
Esox LuciusNorthern pike are our winter wolves - aggressive predators that average 24-30 inches and can hit 10+ pounds. These guys patrol the weed edges and drop-offs in 8-20 feet of water, waiting to ambush anything that swims by. Ice fishing season is actually great for pike since they stay active in cold water while other fish slow down. What makes pike fishing exciting is their explosive strikes and bulldogging runs once hooked. They're also surprisingly good eating when prepared right - just watch those Y-bones. The trick with pike through the ice is using a quick-strike rig with a large minnow. Set it a couple feet off bottom and be ready for action. When a pike grabs your bait, give it 10-15 seconds to turn the minnow around before setting the hook. Rush it and you'll miss more fish than you land.
Sander VitreusWalleye are the prize fish on these waters, running 15-25 inches with those distinctive glowing eyes that help them feed in low light. They're typically holding in 12-30 feet of water around rocky points, drop-offs, and weed edges during winter months. Those silver eyes aren't just for show - they're built for hunting at dawn and dusk, which makes early morning and late afternoon your best shots. What guests love about walleye is they're scrappy fighters and absolutely top-notch table fare with firm, mild white meat. No muddy taste here. The key to consistent walleye success through the ice is staying mobile and checking multiple depth ranges until you find them. They can be suspended anywhere in the water column, so don't just fish bottom. Start shallow and work deeper until you mark fish on the sonar.
Mosinee, WI