For some, fishing is an activity best done in a boat during the warmer months. While Minnesota is alive during the summer months with anglers looking to take home bragging rights by landing that big fish, the lake activity doesn't die off with the coming of winter and several feet of ice. Ice fishing is a traditional pastime in the area and there are several excellent places to take a trip and try your hand at landing that whopper through a hole in the ice.
What to Bring
Minnesota winters can get nasty cold. Depending on the type of ice fishing you're looking to do, what you bring as far as clothes and equipment will make a big difference in how miserable or triumphant a time you have. For those looking to find a good lake full of fish and rough it out in the open, layers of clothing, wool socks, boots, a heavy hat, thick gloves and a heavy jacket are necessities. If you're looking for a cushier trip, a fish house (which you can rent on some lakes) allows you to fish from the comforts of a heated shelter, many of which have beds and cooking areas, so you never need to leave. Of course, having a rod designed for ice fishing and the proper bait (usually leeches or minnows) and an auger are must-haves for success.
Where to Go
Minnesota is the land of 10,000 lakes, so finding a spot to drill your hole and set up for catching fish isn't necessarily a chore. Finding the right lake and the right circumstances, however, can be daunting if you know nothing about the area. Generally, fishing in central and northern Minnesota will garner you better results because the lakes have more fish. The problem may have to do with accommodations and amenities available during your fishing trip. Choose one of the many lakes that allow you to rent a fish house that can accommodate you and keep you warm and dry.
Mille Lacs
Located two hours to the north and west of Minneapolis/St. Paul, Mille Lacs is the unquestioned king of Minnesota ice-fishing lakes. During the winter months, the lake becomes a city in and of itself, with over 5,000 fish houses vying for fertile territory. You can rent fish houses, which come equipped with everything you would need for a successful ice fishing trip including rods, beds, a fully stocked kitchen, a bathroom and a heater. Mille Lacs represents the pinnacle of ice fishing "luxury" in the state.
Lake of the Woods
It's farther removed from 21st century civilization than Mille Lacs but the Lake of the Woods, in northern Minnesota, is an ice-fishing titan. The lake is the fifth largest in the nation and, because of its remoteness, "heavily fished" is a term never applied to the area. Like Mille Lacs, walleye (the Minnesota state fish) is the prize catch during the winter months and can grow upwards of 10 pounds. Because of the size of the lake and the rather inclement conditions, a fish house rental is recommended and there are several lodges on the lake that offer transportation to and from your icy abode, which will contain all the necessities.
Ice Fishing in the Twin Cities
Places like Mille Lacs and Lake of the Woods are destination ice fishing trips. But, with 10,000 lakes, you can find good fishing in and around the Minneapolis/St. Paul area and get a warm meal, a hot shower and comfy bed if you choose to make ice fishing just a part of your trip plans. Downtown lakes like Minnetonka, Harriet, Calhoun and dozens of others offer excellent ice-fishing opportunities out in the open. There are a handful of sporting goods shops in and around the metro area where you can rent virtually any tools and equipment you may desire for a day on the lake, including power augers and portable fish houses.
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