Places to Go Ice Fishing: 7 Amazing Locations

Whether familiar names or unknown destinations, these great spots await.

For some, fishing is all about sunny skies and enjoying a cold one on a warm day out on the water.

For other tough souls, it's about the challenge of venturing out in subzero temps, boring a hole in the frozen lake, dangling a line down through inches of ice and... waiting.

When it comes to ice fishing, there are no shortage of excellent spots, whether you're an old hand or a newbie.

Tired of hitting the same old spots and looking to take in some new scenery? Bundle up and let's hit the ice for some hot destinations for cold fishing.

Devil's Lake, North Dakota

This huge lake tops lists of ice fishing destinations for the size and tremendous variety of fish you can catch there: a healthy freshwater shrimp population ensures fat perch, walleye, and northern pike. And with more than 180,000 acres to explore, you can find a spot where you won't tangle lines with other anglers. It's not the "Perch Capital of the World" for no reason.

Lake Champlain, Vermont

Vermont's premiere fishing destination is 120 miles long and packed with landlocked trout, white perch, crappie, northern pike, the occasional walleye and more. In fact, Bassmaster Magazine has ranked it in the top 10 of all bass fishing spots in the northeastern U.S. You can drill a hole anywhere and not catch the same fish twice. Ice fishing season is January to mid-March and shanties with optional wood stoves are available to rent. Plus, Vermont's just lovely to visit anyway.

Lake of the Woods, Minnesota

Of Minnesota's 10,000-plus lakes, this one is probably familiar - it is the self-proclaimed "Walleye Capital of the World" and after the Great Lakes, the largest freshwater lake in the U.S. It straddles the U.S. and Canada, making it easy for citizens of both countries to access, and has everything you need to make this a full-on family vacation: snowmobiles, lodging, mobile sleeper fish houses (keep an eye out for the Northern Lights!), and guides who regularly patrol the ice to help visitors choose where to drop their lines. Here you can catch large northern pike, perch, lake trout and of course, walleye.

Oneida Lake, New York

Another popular destination to reel in large walleye as well as 10- to 12-inch perch, bluegills, crappies, yellow trout and bass, Oneida gets solidly frozen thick enough by January for snowmobiles - or just walk the mile out to the best spots. This shallow lake is about 10 miles north of Syracuse.

Castle Lake, California

Sure, sandy beaches and surfers come to mind when you think of California, but it's a big state with many lakes and several mountain regions. Where there's snow, there's ice, and Castle Lake, well north of Redding in the Shasta Forest, has plenty of it. Ice fishing season is January to March when you can catch brown, rainbow, and brook trout here. And with a bag limit of five fish, that leaves you with plenty of time for skiing and sledding at Lassen Volcanic National Park nearby.

Grand Lake, Colorado

You've heard of Michigan's Great Lakes, but have you heard of Colorado's Great Lakes? There are six, all part of the Colorado River's headwaters, this one being the largest and deepest. It's also a terrific family spot, as the walk to fishing spots is not far; even kids learning how to fish can catch rainbow trout and kokanee salmon. Plus, the town of Grand Lake is (obviously) nearby for a coffee or lunch break, and the Rocky Mountains' epic skiing is a quick drive away.

Fort Peck Lake, Montana

This destination in Big Sky country is for the true outdoorsperson unafraid of being in the middle of nowhere: the nearest airport or major city is a half-day away, the closest town is home to only 400 people, and you're unlikely to see another soul for days. Up to 200 feet deep, the lake houses more than 50 kinds of fish including walleye and sauger. Because it's so out there, rules are a bit lax with tip-up regulations (six per angler) only checked once every 24 hours. Fishing here takes some caution as the ice is tricky; bring a good depth sonar and be prepared for moves of 10-20 miles.

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