🧊 Current Ice Conditions
No ice condition reports on file. Check back as ice fishing season approaches.
5–7"
Min ice for snowmobile
8–12"
Min ice for car / ATV
12–15"
Min ice for light truck
⚠️
Ice Safety is Your Responsibility — Ice thickness varies across a lake. Pressure cracks, springs, inflows, and current can create dangerously thin areas even on lakes that appear frozen. Always check ice thickness every few steps as you move out. Wear a life jacket or ice picks, never fish alone, and tell someone where you're going. When in doubt, stay off.
🐟 Top Ice Fishing Species in Michigan
Black bullhead
Typical size0.5-1.5 lbs, 6-12 inches
Daily limit10
Bait: Earthworms, night crawlers, chicken liver, cut bait, dough balls, and stink baits. Worms are the top producer.
Black Crappie
Typical size0.5-1 lb, 8-12 inches
State record4 lbs 5 oz
Daily limit25
Peak biteMar, Nov
Bait: Small jigs, minnows, wax worms, tiny spinners, soft plastic grubs
Bloater
Typical size8–12", under 1 lb
Daily limitNo limit
Peak biteJan, Feb, Nov, Dec
Bait: Small jigging spoons, minnows, ice flies near bottom
Bluegill
Typical size0.25-0.75 lb, 6-10 inches
State record4 lbs 6 oz
Daily limit25
Peak biteMar, Nov
Bait: Wax worms, red worms, small flies, tiny jigs, crickets
Burbot
Typical size1-4 lbs, 14-24 inches
State record18 lbs 4 oz
Daily limit10
Peak biteJan, Feb, Mar, Nov, Dec
Bait: Minnows, night crawlers, jigging spoons, cut bait, smelt
Cisco
Typical size0.5-2 lbs, 10-16 inches
State record4 lbs 5 oz
Daily limit25
Peak biteJan, Feb, Mar, Nov, Dec
Bait: Small jigs, minnows, emerald shiners, spoons, ice flies
Lake Herring
Typical size10–16", 0.5–2 lbs
State record6 lbs 6 oz
Daily limit5 inland / 10 Great Lakes (combined with Lake & Ro
Peak biteJan, Feb, Nov, Dec
Advisory⚠️ Consumption advisory
Bait: Small jigging spoons, emerald shiners, small minnows, ice flies
Lake Trout
Typical size2-8 lbs, 18-28 inches
State record61 lbs 8 oz
Daily limit5
Min size15"
Peak biteJan, Feb, Mar, Nov, Dec
Advisory⚠️ Consumption advisory
Bait: Tube jigs, swimbaits, spoons, live smelt, cut bait
Lake Whitefish
Typical size1-4 lbs, 14-22 inches
State record14 lbs 12 oz
Daily limit25
Peak biteJan, Feb, Mar, Nov, Dec
Advisory⚠️ Consumption advisory
Bait: Small jigs, emerald shiners, minnows, spawn bags, ice flies
Northern Pike
Typical size3-8 lbs, 24-36 inches
State record39 lbs 8 oz
Daily limit5
Min size24"
Peak biteJan, Feb, Mar, Nov, Dec
Advisory⚠️ Consumption advisory
Bait: Large suckers, creek chubs, spoons, bucktail spinners, large swimbaits
Pumpkinseed
Typical size0.2-0.5 lb, 5-8 inches
State record1 lb 7 oz
Daily limit25
Peak biteMar
Bait: Wax worms, red worms, small jigs, tiny spinners, crickets
Round Whitefish
Typical size10–18", 0.5–2 lbs
State record4 lbs 1 oz
Daily limit5 inland / 10 Great Lakes (combined with Cisco & L
Peak biteJan, Feb, Nov, Dec
Bait: Small jigs, wax worms, minnows, small spoons fished near bottom
Sauger
Typical size0.5-2 lbs, 10-18 inches
State record7 lbs 6 oz
Daily limit5
Min size15"
Peak biteMar, Nov, Dec
Advisory⚠️ Consumption advisory
Bait: Minnows, night crawlers, jigs, blade baits, jigging spoons
Splake
Typical size1-5 lbs, 14-24 inches
State record10 lbs 8 oz
Daily limit5
Min size15"
Peak biteJan, Feb, Mar, Nov, Dec
Bait: Small jigs, minnows, spoons, wax worms, small swimbaits
Walleye
Typical size1-4 lbs, 14-22 inches
State record17 lbs 3 oz
Daily limit5
Min size15"
Peak biteJan, Feb, Mar, Nov, Dec
Advisory⚠️ Consumption advisory
Bait: Minnows, night crawlers, leeches, jigging spoons, blade baits
White Crappie
Typical size0.5-1.5 lbs, 9-14 inches
State record4 lbs 0 oz
Daily limit25
Peak biteMar, Nov
Bait: Small jigs, minnows, wax worms, tiny spinners, soft plastic grubs
White Perch
Typical size0.5-1.5 lbs, 8-12 inches
State record3 lbs 12 oz
Daily limit25
Peak biteMar, Nov
Bait: Small jigs, minnows, night crawlers, spinners, wax worms
Yellow Perch
Typical size0.25-0.75 lb, 6-10 inches
State record3 lbs 12 oz
Daily limit50
Peak biteJan, Feb, Mar, Nov, Dec
Bait: Minnows, wax worms, small jigs, emerald shiners, ice flies
📏 Ice Thickness & Safety Guide
| Ice Thickness | Safe For | Risk Level |
|---|
| 15"+ | Medium truck | SAFE |
| 12–15" | Light pickup truck | SAFE |
| 8–12" | Small car or ATV | GENERALLY OK |
| 5–7" | Snowmobile or ATV | CAUTION |
| 4" | Walking / ice fishing on foot | CAUTION |
| < 4" | Nobody — stay off the ice | DANGER |
These are general guidelines only. Clear blue ice is strongest; white or opaque ice is roughly half as strong. Avoid ice near inlets, outlets, and pressure cracks regardless of thickness. Always test as you go.
🌊 Michigan Lakes Known for Ice Fishing
Sorted by number of ice-fishing species. Click any lake for full species, stocking, and depth data.
| Lake |
County |
Acres |
Max Depth |
Ice Species |
| Mullett Lake |
Cheboygan County |
16,630 |
90 ft |
11 |
| Crystal Lake |
Benzie County |
9,854 |
165 ft |
11 |
| Burt Lake |
Cheboygan County |
17,120 |
77 ft |
10 |
| Lake Michigamme |
Marquette County |
4,149 |
77 ft |
10 |
| Torch Lake |
Antrim County |
18,770 |
320 ft |
9 |
| Higgins Lake |
Roscommon County |
9,600 |
135 ft |
9 |
| Walloon Lake |
Charlevoix County |
4,250 |
115 ft |
9 |
| Long Lake |
Grand Traverse County |
1,410 |
92 ft |
9 |
| Long Lake |
Alpena County |
1,300 |
40 ft |
9 |
| Cass Lake |
Oakland County |
1,280 |
123 ft |
9 |
| Pickerel Lake |
Cheboygan County |
830 |
38 ft |
9 |
| Indian Lake |
Schoolcraft County |
8,689 |
21 ft |
8 |
| Lake Leelanau |
Leelanau County |
8,562 |
113 ft |
8 |
| Glen Lake |
Leelanau County |
4,944 |
130 ft |
8 |
| Douglas Lake |
Cheboygan County |
3,400 |
60 ft |
8 |
| Lake St. Helen |
Roscommon County |
2,600 |
42 ft |
8 |
| Lake Mitchell |
Wexford County |
2,580 |
32 ft |
8 |
| Pickerel Lake |
Newaygo County |
840 |
62 ft |
8 |
| Big Blue Lake |
Muskegon County |
620 |
55 ft |
8 |
| Lake St. Clair |
Macomb County |
260,000 |
21 ft |
7 |
| Houghton Lake |
Roscommon County |
20,044 |
21 ft |
7 |
| Charlevoix Lake |
Charlevoix County |
17,260 |
122 ft |
7 |
| Lake Gogebic |
Gogebic County |
13,380 |
21 ft |
7 |
| Hamlin Lake |
Mason County |
5,000 |
40 ft |
7 |
💡 Ice Fishing Tips
Drill Multiple Holes
Don't commit to one spot. Drill a spread of holes and move until you find active fish. Fish move under the ice — lateral mobility is key.
Go Light on Tackle
Ice fishing line should be 2–6 lb test for most species. Use small jigs and tungsten ice flies — finesse presentations outperform in cold water.
Fish Early and Late
The first and last hours of daylight are typically most productive. Many ice species (especially Walleye and Perch) feed heavily at low light.
Keep Your Hole Clear
A skimmer is essential gear. Clear ice shavings from your hole frequently — ice forming on your line causes missed bites.
Use a Tip-Up for Pike
Set tip-ups with live or dead bait for Northern Pike while jigging for Perch. Multi-species days are common on productive Michigan lakes.
Layer Up — and Bring More
Conditions change fast. Wind chill on an open lake can be brutal. Base layer, insulating layer, and a wind-blocking shell is the standard formula.
Use Live Bait
Wax worms, minnows, and spikes are staple ice baits. Keep bait alive and warm — sluggish bait means fewer bites in cold water.
Check Conditions First
Call local bait shops before heading out — they track ice conditions daily. DNR also posts ice-out reports during the season.
Watch for Color Changes
Clear blue or black ice is strongest. Milky white or grey ice is weak and porous — half the load capacity of clear ice at the same thickness.
Michigan Ice Fishing Regulations — Standard fishing regulations apply through the ice. A valid Michigan fishing license is required.
Species-specific size limits, bag limits, and season dates apply exactly as they do during open water.
View the official DNR Fishing Guide →