If you’ve spent much time on hardwater, you’ve probably heard this debate: ice fishing – inline vs spinning reel, which is better? Most anglers start with a simple spinning reel, then later see seasoned panfish guys running slick in …

Ask a serious hardwater angler whether tungsten or lead catches more fish and you’ll start a campfire debate. The “tungsten vs lead for ice fishing” question isn’t just about what’s trendy; it’s about how density, …

If you’re dreaming about plowed ice roads, glowing electronics, and the thunk of a good walleye on the ice, your first question is simple: What are the best states for ice fishing in the U.S.? With so many lakes, climates, and species across th …

Ask serious hardwater anglers where they’d go for jumbo perch and big walleyes, and you’ll hear the same answer again and again: ice fishing North Dakota. Trucks and wheelhouses lined up on Devils Lake, tiny shacks scattered across prairi …

Most ice anglers lean on the same comfort lures every winter: small tungsten jigs, spoons, and deadsticks. They catch fish, sure—but if you’re relying only on those, you’re leaving a pile of bites on the table. The real secret weapo …

Knowing the nuances of spring-fed waters can lead you to better fishing at times when trout fishing gets tough or nonexistent on other waters. Freestone rivers that rely on a lot of elevation and snow runoff can slow down quite a bit in the winter, a …

If you’ve ever wondered how to tip-up fish for lake trout the right way, you’re not alone. Nothing gets your heart pounding like seeing a flag snap up over deep water, grabbing a cold, wet line, and feeling a heavy lake trout bulldogging …

When winter locks in and the lakes glaze over, Wisconsin doesn’t go quiet—it comes alive. Shanty villages grow on Lake Winnebago, anglers bounce across Green Bay in search of reef walleyes, and headlamps trace slow circles on inland lakes …

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 …