When winter locks Michigan in ice, the state doesn’t shut down—it just changes gears. Shanty towns pop up on big bays, the sound of augers replaces outboards, and anglers chase everything from jumbo perch to trophy walleyes and lake trout …

Ask a serious hardwater angler where they’d go if they could pick one state for the winter, and you’ll hear the same answer again and again: ice fishing Minnesota. Wheelhouses lined up on Mille Lacs, plowed ice roads stretching for miles …

When winter locks up your local waters, ice fishing for crappie on small lakes might be the most overlooked way to stack up fast action and big slabs. Small lakes are quieter, easier to learn, and often loaded with crappie—but they’re als …

When the first safe ice forms and the lake goes quiet, early ice fishing for bluegills can be as hot as panfishing gets all year. Those first few weeks of safe ice often deliver aggressive fish, shallow patterns, and fast action—if you know whe …

Ask any serious winter angler, and they’ll tell you: if you want to stay on active fish all winter, you need to understand early to mid-season ice fishing for walleye. Walleyes don’t sit still under the ice. They slide, shift, and transit …

When winter locks up Lake Erie and the crowds of trollers disappear, the diehards know the fun is just getting started. This lake is home to an incredible walleye population, and the anglers who dial in the right ice baits for Lake Erie walleye can e …

You know the scene: first safe ice, perfect conditions, fish are snapping—and someone on the ice is fighting a dead battery, dull auger, and rusty jigs while the bite is on. Dialed-in pre-season ice fishing prep is what separates that guy from …

If your minnows keep freezing, your waxies are turning to mush, and your bites die as pressure builds on the ice, you’re not alone. Many anglers still rely almost entirely on live bait in winter—and they’re quietly getting outfished …

Panfishing offers a great way to introduce folks to fishing while also being a great way to feed the family. And avid pan fishermen love the chase as much as any other game fish. And when it comes to redear sunfish, catching a panfish over 2 pounds c …

Florida’s “speckled perch” scene is unmatched—teeming with vegetation-rich shallows, massive reservoirs, deep basins, and winding river systems that provide action twelve months of the year. Whether you’re a tournament a …

If you’re searching for a fishing rod length chart or wondering what length fishing rod is best for your style, you’re asking a smart question. Rod length quietly controls three things that decide your catch rate every single day: casting …

Whether you’re finessing a 1/16-oz jig for crappie or bombing a 3-oz swimbait for pike, one decision determines your casting, bite detection, and landing rate: rod power vs action. Anglers blame “bad luck” for pulled hooks and misse …