Bucket sitting? You might be wondering what that’s all about. Well, there are few things as iconic in Wisconsin as the ice fishing shanties that dot every lake in winter, and the bucket is the ‘chair’ of choice when going ice fishing. Read on for more tips on how to ice fish.
Ice fishing isn’t just about the fish. Like most forms of fishing, ice fishing is a culture. Each year, many anglers return to the same lake, the same spot, and end up creating temporary neighborhoods that bond over the cold, the beer, and, of course, the fishing.
As soon as the ice is thick enough, fishermen and fisherwomen swarm out onto the ice to find the hidden treasure under the surface.
Read: Best Winter Destinations in the US
How to find the best ice fishing locations inside the Cheddar Wall
Once you’ve arrived in Wisconsin, a few things are mandatory. First, buy cheese curds. I could try to explain it to you, but that would be like trying to explain the color yellow in words.
Next, look for a local diner that has a lot of cars in front of it. This is where you’ll find the anglers getting fueled up for a cold day on the ice. You might get some great hints and ideas, most of it contradictory. The best part is that, in Wisconsin, it’s all good advice.
If you enter a local tackle shop, sporting goods store, or even mom and pop store and you see a lot of ice fishing gear, it almost guarantees that you’re in the right place. Ask the folks where the best places are to ice fish. Cheeseheads, as Wisconsinites are known, are really gregarious people who don’t mind sharing the local secrets.
The best places for ice fishing in Wisconsin
One of the largest and prettiest places to ice fish is Green Bay. Inside of the Door County peninsula, but part of Lake Michigan, Green Bay is home to some of the best ice fishing in North America. On Green Bay, the fish you want is walleye. You can visit Door County and find lots of places to use as home base. There are some huge fish in the bay, so have fun.
The Madison Chain is located in the center of the state near the capitol. This chain of lakes was formed by the Yahara River. So close to Madison and less than an hour from Milwaukee, these are busy places, but the fishing is consistently good. Start near the edge of the crowd and go out from there.
Much farther removed from civilization is Lake Alice. Located near the town of Tomahawk, this is a remote lake in the Great Northwoods filled with some outstanding crappies and many other species of fish. Be careful of the old river channel where there is still a current and the ice can be deceptive.
The best winter for ice fishing
It might seem obvious, but the best winter for ice fishing is cold. The key is cold, but not snowy. Winters that are bitter cold often have less snow. That means less clearing to do on the ice and less chance that thin ice will be hiding under a layer of snow.
Things not to do when ice fishing
- Don’t assume you can park your car on the ice. Just because it looks thick doesn’t mean much. The hot engine and weight of your truck, combined with the weight of the other trucks, can be an insurance claim waiting to happen.
- Don’t get drunk. While you’re on the ice, it’s not too big of a deal, but every winter someone gets hurt because some fool tipped a few too many on the ice.
- Don’t drill more holes than you need. You’ll know when you walk out onto the ice and someone has drilled a bunch of exploration holes. Your leg will go right into the icy water. Choose wisely.
Key Things to Know About Ice Fishing
You can get a fishing license at nearly any grocery store, convenience store, and sporting goods store.
Ice fishing in Wisconsin is as much a part of our culture as surfing is to Hawaii. Just don’t try ice fishing in a Speedo. The bucket you’re sitting on will likely freeze to part of you that should never be that cold.
Ice fishing is one of those activities that everyone should add to their list, because it’s one of the most unique and rare activities that many bucket listers seek.
For more bucket-list worthy ideas, check out this wonderful post by All the Rooms.
