Iron County is lake country, hundreds of lakes tucked back in the hardwoods and spruce, and once the ice comes on you'll have most of that water to yourself. Here's where to set up for each fish, from first ice to last.
First ice is walleye ice. That's when they bite best, and the lakes worth the drive are Iron, Lake Ottawa, Sunset, Stanley and Swan. If you've got a full day and want big water, go to the Michigamme Reservoir. Chicaugon and Lake Emily have been short on walleye lately, so fish them for something else this winter.
Crappie come on first, hanging over the deep basins of Ice Lake, Iron Lake and the Michigamme Reservoir. Bluegill carry you through early ice on Ice, Iron, Chicaugon, Buck and Winslow lakes.
Four lakes stay open to trout all winter: Chicaugon, Lake Ottawa, Golden and Ellen. Chicaugon's deep, cold water holds lake trout, and Golden is stocked with splake, a cross between lake trout and brook trout.
Perch are the fish most folks come for, and the bite only gets better as winter wears on. Start on Iron, Chicaugon, Lake Ottawa, Stanley or the Michigamme Reservoir. Lake Emily has perch in good numbers, though most of them run small.
Every lake, the rules that matter, an ice safety checklist and a pack list, all sized for your phone. Save it before you leave town, so it's there when the signal isn't.
Download the Pocket Guide (PDF)
Last winter the boat launches on Indian Lake, Swan Lake, Lake Mary, Lake Emily and Lake Ellen were kept plowed all season, so you could park the truck and walk straight out onto the ice. This winter's list comes out in January.
The small lakes lock up first. Big water like the Michigamme Reservoir takes its time, so save it for the heart of winter.
Pull up a depth map before you go, and stop at Crystal Bait & Marine in Crystal Falls (906-875-4434) for minnows and the latest word on the ice.
Iron County Lake MapsThere's no magic number for safe ice. It changes from one spot to the next, even on the same lake, so test it as you go and turn back if anything looks wrong.
Start small. Pick one of the plowed lakes, bring a jigging rod and a tip-up, and if you can, go out with someone who knows the water. The bait shop is a fine place to ask, and the DNR's ice fishing basics will walk you through the rest.
A handful of rules shape every trip out here. Check the full regulations before you go, since limits can change from year to year.
It depends on the fish. For perch, start on Iron, Chicaugon, Lake Ottawa, Stanley or the Michigamme Reservoir. For walleye, try Iron, Lake Ottawa, Sunset, Stanley, Swan or the Reservoir. Crappie and bluegill bite on Ice, Iron, Chicaugon and Buck, and the trout lakes are Chicaugon, Lake Ottawa, Golden and Ellen.
Every winter is different, but the small lakes freeze first. Last year anglers were out by early January. The bait shop will know how the ice is this week.
No single number makes ice safe. Test it with a spud, needle bar or auger as you go. Clear, bluish ice is strongest, and slush or snow-covered ice should send you back to shore.
Yes, except on Free Fishing Weekend. The winter one falls on Presidents' Day weekend, February 13–14 in 2027, and every other rule still applies.
Yes. Chicaugon, Lake Ottawa, Golden and Ellen stay open to trout all winter. Check the size and bag limits before you keep one.
Iron River and Crystal Falls both sit close to the ice, with hotels, motels, cabins and resorts, and some right on the lakes. Many have room for trailers and gear. Our lodging page has them all.
Pick your lake, test the ice, and get a warm room close to the water. When you've had your fill of fishing, there's plenty more winter to go around in Iron County.
Top, family and pike photos by Kevin Zini Photography.
ice fishing and tagged amasa michigan, crystal falls michigan, Gaastra Michigan, ice fishing, iron county, iron county michigan, iron river michigan, perch fishing, upper peninsula michigan, walleye fishing.
Trout Fishing in Iron County, Michigan
Fat Tire Biking in Iron County, Michigan
Snowshoeing in Iron County, Michigan
Downhill Skiing in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula, from Iron County
906-214-2308
906-265-9100
40 E Adams St
Iron River, MI 49935
906-265-9244
1700 County Road 424
Gaastra, MI 49917
906-265-3611
1257 W Ice Lake Rd
Iron River, MI 49935
800-362-7853
373 Brule Mountain Rd
Iron River, MI 49935
800-DO-BRULE
906-265-4957
397 Brule Mountain Rd
Iron River, MI 49935
906-822-7713
1968 US 141 Highway
Amasa, MI 49903
Iron County is one of the Upper Peninsula’s best kept secrets. From camping to fishing, hunting to canoeing, mountain biking to forest bathing – no matter your interests, the great outdoors and clear crisp air await you here.
