Minnesota Ice Fishing - Make it an Annual Tradition

Minnesota ice fishing is an annual tradition for many; and the fish just seem to taste better coming out of the icy cold water. The key to ice fishing in Minnesota is most often patience, and the reward of making that catch after waiting it out makes the experience all the better. Here at Wildwood Resort on Bass Lake the seasonal freeze-over begins in mid-November and ice-fishing season lasts usually thru early March. Ice anglers looking for variety will find literally hundreds of great ice fishing lakes within a short drive of the resort.

The Hot Bite

Bass Lake is primarily a panfish lake, with plenty of sunfish, bluegill, crappie and perch ready for the taking. If you're looking for walleye, jumbo perch, northern or muskie, a couple-minute drive from the resort will put you on a different lake - and the fish - on any given day.

Ice Fishing Equipment

Fishing rods for ice fishing can be purchased through local retailers. The rods tend to be shorter, and if fishing in shallow water you’ll be fine with the typical rod and reel, but since you'll often fish deeper than 10-15 feet, you’ll probably want to use a tip-up, which helps to alert you when you’ve caught something. We suggest you stick with smaller baits and lures. If you pick up your supplies at the local outfitter like Ben's Bait in Grand Rapids, River Rat Bait in Cohasset, or Fred's Bait in Deer River, they’ll help you take care of your equipment needs. The most important piece of equipment you'll need is a hand or gas powered auger for digging your holes, and on top of that, a strainer to scoop the ice shavings from the holes once they are established. You’re almost ready. Now, all you’ll need is a foam or insulated bait bucket, ice picks for safety if you should fall in, a bait net , and a stool or large bucket to sit on. Lastly, many folks find that a portable ice fishing house makes your fishing adventure much more comfortable it keeps you out of the wind and the elements. Don't forget to pick up a copy of the Minnesota Fishing Regulations.

Ice Fishing Safety

Make sure you keep it safe, more than anything. Wear a life jacket, and try not to go alone. If you are alone, make sure you have a cell phone, and that the ice is at least 4 inches thick. We highly suggest bringing a pair of ice picks in case you fall in. Dress more than accordingly for the cold or you won't enjoy yourself very much. When you're sitting on the ice, the cold tends to find you more quickly - and you won't be moving around that much to keep warm. We suggest you wear long underwear, a flannel or wool shirt and a good winter jacket and snow pants or bibs. Many ice anglers bring a spare pair of warm gloves since they can tend to get damp in a hurry. A pair of foot spikes are also helpful when there isn't much snow on top of the ice to provide traction.

So you're now ready to go Minnesota ice fishing at Wildwood Resort. All you have left to worry about is how you're going to prepare your fish for dinner!

Call now to reserve your Minnesota Ice Fishing Vacation
at Wildwood Resort: 1-888-328-5858