A person pulling a shanty across ice in the Upper Peninsula

Auger down, tip-up

Ice Fishing

When the weather in Michigan gets colder, anglers get fishing across more than 11,000 inland lakes and tens of thousands of miles of rivers and streams. In fact, for many anglers, winter is the best time to get hooked.

 

Michigan Free Ice Fishing Weekend is Feb 17 - 18, 2024.

 

Ice Safety

In Michigan, fishing doesn't stop when the snow starts to fly.

Ice fishing is a time-honored sport. It can be a solitary endeavor or a chance to win bragging rights among family and friends. An ice fishing excursion can be as simple as drilling a hole in the ice and dropping in a line while perched on an overturned bucket. Or it can be an all-day outing complete with an elaborate ice shanty boasting all the comforts of home. Either way, traversing frozen waters allows anglers to reach the far corners of lakes that would be inaccessible during the open water season.

The state boasts more than 150 species of fish and almost all of them can be caught through the ice. Popular species when the ice freezes over include panfish such as bluegill and perch as well as northern pike, walleye and various trout species. Are you ready to get your fish on in Pure Michigan?  Families and friends can enjoy Free Fishing, Februay 18 - 19, 2023.
 

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Ice Fishing Safely
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man and his boy ice fishing on the frozen lake
How To: Ice Fishing for Panfish and Pike
Winter Steelhead Fishing: Hayden's Story
Ice Fishing in Pure Michigan
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Ice Fishing Safely
Image
man and his boy ice fishing on the frozen lake
How To: Ice Fishing for Panfish and Pike
Winter Steelhead Fishing: Hayden's Story
Ice Fishing in Pure Michigan

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