From the DNR

Just because cold weather has arrived in Michigan doesn’t mean you have to put your fishing activities on hold. Many anglers look forward to the opportunities ice fishing pro vides them during this time of year, with some claiming it is the best time to go fishing!

What’s great about winter is that anglers can get just about anywhere on a lake during the ice fishing season and virtually every fish that’s available in the summer can also be caught through the ice. In fact, some are even caught more frequently in the winter.

New to ice fishing? Don’t be intimated by the idea of heading out! Learn about the kind of equipment you need and the safety precautions you should take in our Ice Fishing, the Coolest Sport Around article, found at Michigan.gov/dnr.

Do you already go ice fishing? Consider taking on a new challenge by targeting a different species. Popular winter species include bluegill, crappie, smelt, walleye and yellow perch (among others). Anglers use a variety of ice fishing techniques to target these species, including hook-and-line, tip-ups and spearing.

Learn about these fishes and the techniques needed to catch them in the winter by checking out the “Michigan Fish and How to Catch Them” section of the DNR’s website.