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IceShanty Main => General Ice Fishing Chit Chat => Topic started by: claymore6 on Mar 04, 2019, 09:52 AM

Title: What State has the best ice fishing ?
Post by: claymore6 on Mar 04, 2019, 09:52 AM
Just wondering?  I live in up-State New York. One of the best and least appreciated places in the USA for hunting and fishing. However, the current New York political situation does not look good for the future for Sportsmen/women. The anti-gun movement and increasing reductions in budget lines that traditionally supported hunting and fishing have me wondering if I should make a move to an area with a better future.  If I move, I would have ice fishing as a priority, followed by upland game and soft water fishing for Perch and Walleye. Any suggestions?
Title: Re: What State has the best ice fishing ?
Post by: lefty2053 on Mar 04, 2019, 09:54 AM
OH stop it. I don't want to know I live in a poor state for Ice fishing.
Title: Re: What State has the best ice fishing ?
Post by: bullpine on Mar 04, 2019, 09:57 AM
Eastern Montana around Fort Peck reservoir if you don't need a job.
Title: Re: What State has the best ice fishing ?
Post by: meandcuznalfy on Mar 04, 2019, 10:01 AM
South Central Idaho
Title: Re: What State has the best ice fishing ?
Post by: blacktrap on Mar 04, 2019, 10:14 AM
Great state of Maine....oh wait we just elected a bunch of those people that cant get enough of spending others peoples money.  Probably be like down there soon enough.
Title: Re: What State has the best ice fishing ?
Post by: Unclegillhunter on Mar 04, 2019, 10:19 AM
Well if you don’t need a job or since I don’t know what you do for a living you may have lots of options. Given your sporting priorities, I would suggest South Dakota. Me if I could talk my little wife into it I would sell my ice gear and move back to the Oregon coastal area.
Keep it safe! JDL
Title: Re: What State has the best ice fishing ?
Post by: 52isntbigenough on Mar 04, 2019, 10:22 AM
I live in Wisconsin, but give the nod to MN, especially LOTWs.
Title: Re: What State has the best ice fishing ?
Post by: laer0302 on Mar 04, 2019, 10:40 AM
MN has great ice fishing, but the legislators are really trying  to push some anti-gun laws through, so if that's a big concern for you, I don't think I'd head here. North Dakota would be my suggestion.
Title: Re: What State has the best ice fishing ?
Post by: wirehairman on Mar 04, 2019, 10:43 AM
Given your list of priorities, I'd suggest Minnesota or Wisconsin if your definition of upland game is ruffies and timerdoodles.  If you like the prairie birds and pheasants, I'd suggest the Dakotas.

Of course, the Big Sky State is pretty awesome as well.   ;)2
Title: Re: What State has the best ice fishing ?
Post by: Badder on Mar 04, 2019, 10:50 AM
Michigan hands down!
Title: Re: What State has the best ice fishing ?
Post by: IceFishFreak on Mar 04, 2019, 11:24 AM
I can tell you what state isn't the best,  Wisconsin.  Wisconsin is a harvester state.  Nothing is done in moderation.  people kill piles of deer and people fill the freezers when not needed. 
99 % of our lakes it's tough to catch a bluegill over 9 inches.  It's the same as hunting,  850k some people hunting,  it's tough to have real quality anything in numbers.  This is the name of the game here,  catch and kill everything,  brag on facebook. 

Title: Re: What State has the best ice fishing ?
Post by: Mr.Seaguar on Mar 04, 2019, 11:41 AM
IceFishFreak is trying to steer you away from his hotspot.
Title: Re: What State has the best ice fishing ?
Post by: 52isntbigenough on Mar 04, 2019, 11:54 AM
IFF seems angry. Maybe he should ice fish southern Illinois waters for a season or two.
Title: Re: What State has the best ice fishing ?
Post by: Kevin23 on Mar 04, 2019, 11:56 AM
North dakota will have your amazing perch and walleye fishing, great upland and waterfowl hunting, and good soft water fishing as well. Also very pro-gun and outdoors prioritized state.
Title: Re: What State has the best ice fishing ?
Post by: SLAYERFISH on Mar 04, 2019, 12:46 PM
Florida
Title: Re: What State has the best ice fishing ?
Post by: FlamDragger on Mar 04, 2019, 12:51 PM
I don’t see anyone from Alaska chiming in. I guess they don’t give away their secret, but I’d like to go there someday to fish their hardwaters. I bet it’s spectacular up there!
Title: Re: What State has the best ice fishing ?
Post by: IceFishFreak on Mar 04, 2019, 01:29 PM
North dakota will have your amazing perch and walleye fishing, great upland and waterfowl hunting, and good soft water fishing as well. Also very pro-gun and outdoors prioritized state.

LOL,  not angry,  just disappointed.  Social Media is the devil.  A spot gets beat on if the wrong person finds out.  I really dislike the WI culture.  i been trying to get out for years...
Title: Re: What State has the best ice fishing ?
Post by: Mr.Seaguar on Mar 04, 2019, 01:54 PM
Idk what the best state is but my favorite place to ice fish has a steakhouse beside the access. Can't beat that.
Title: Re: What State has the best ice fishing ?
Post by: appleye on Mar 04, 2019, 02:29 PM
Florida
[/quote

I'm with Slayerfish! Except for the population explosion every winter. LOL Wyoming has very good fishing but you must drive a ways. I also drive to MT, SD, CO most winters. If I had it my way Florida in the winter and WY the rest of the year after hunting season.
Title: Re: What State has the best ice fishing ?
Post by: Bull Herbie on Mar 04, 2019, 04:15 PM
Not North Dakota, it's awful, shouldn't waste a trip!  Unless you like catching lots of walleye, perch and pike, then its not to bad.
Title: Re: What State has the best ice fishing ?
Post by: Light liner on Mar 04, 2019, 06:35 PM
Never been to either but I would guess toss up between
North dakota or Minnesota.
Here in northern Vermont its good, hard place to live though.
Title: Re: What State has the best ice fishing ?
Post by: t0mmyt316 on Mar 04, 2019, 06:44 PM
Maine! :tipup:
Title: Re: What State has the best ice fishing ?
Post by: Hardwater2 on Mar 04, 2019, 06:45 PM
I lived in Minnesota for 20yrs. It consistently gets thick ice, has incredible ice fishing for months. North Dakota would be a close second. Politics aside lol
Title: Re: What State has the best ice fishing ?
Post by: TickleStick on Mar 04, 2019, 06:49 PM
Not Utah  >:(

How about Texas  :P
Title: Re: What State has the best ice fishing ?
Post by: Jomat on Mar 04, 2019, 07:40 PM
Pretty tough to beat the fishing and hunting in upstate ny.  Actually the main issue I run into is that the fishing is so good up here it gets hard to find a parking spot with all the tri-state/downstate guys coming up.

I’d second vermont...was up fishing Champlain and magog last winter.  You can def put a hurt on some fish up and don’t have to show up to the lot at 5 am to find a parking spot.  Ur gonna need an auger extension though and a lot of propane.
Title: Re: What State has the best ice fishing ?
Post by: Hooked up on Mar 04, 2019, 08:16 PM
After moving all around the United States for the last 35 years, you can't beat North Dakota for what you are looking for. I live there for 5 years and the upland bird hunting and fishing was some of the best you will find anywhere.
Title: Re: What State has the best ice fishing ?
Post by: John_BZ on Mar 04, 2019, 08:22 PM
IFF seems angry. Maybe he should ice fish southern Illinois waters for a season or two.

Not much better in northern Illinois except we get a little longer season. Nothing great about fishing in Illinois. Probably bringing up the rear. Maybe ahead of Indiana lol
Title: Re: What State has the best ice fishing ?
Post by: Light liner on Mar 04, 2019, 09:19 PM
Pretty tough to beat the fishing and hunting in upstate ny.  Actually the main issue I run into is that the fishing is so good up here it gets hard to find a parking spot with all the tri-state/downstate guys coming up.

I’d second vermont...was up fishing Champlain and magog last winter.  You can def put a hurt on some fish up and don’t have to show up to the lot at 5 am to find a parking spot.  Ur gonna need an auger extension though and a lot of propane.

Yeah 40" of ice right now on magog.
Title: Re: What State has the best ice fishing ?
Post by: IceFishFreak on Mar 05, 2019, 07:28 AM
Pretty tough to beat the fishing and hunting in upstate ny.  Actually the main issue I run into is that the fishing is so good up here it gets hard to find a parking spot with all the tri-state/downstate guys coming up.

I’d second vermont...was up fishing Champlain and magog last winter.  You can def put a hurt on some fish up and don’t have to show up to the lot at 5 am to find a parking spot.  Ur gonna need an auger extension though and a lot of propane.

I fish the eastern basin of Lake Ontario....you are correct,  that area is a tough one to beat 
Title: Re: What State has the best ice fishing ?
Post by: stinkyfingers on Mar 05, 2019, 07:41 AM
Really? Your quality of life will be a function of bird shooting and how much ice fishing you can get in? Tough to beat the Dakotas for your heart's desire except that you'd have to

live in the Dakotas. Feels like you need to eat your vegetables rather than just lapping up the gravy.
Title: Re: What State has the best ice fishing ?
Post by: muskyon46 on Mar 05, 2019, 07:47 AM
Not Utah  >:(

How about Texas  :P

We need to convince all the people migrating from the west coast about going to Texas  ;)2 They dont like to ice fish anyway, until they get here  @)
Title: Re: What State has the best ice fishing ?
Post by: Bull Herbie on Mar 05, 2019, 08:00 AM
Stinkyfinger, I grew up in Colorado, spent 35 years there. The state is awesome, we go back every year to visit. The problem with Colorado is the people. I miss the mountains, but I do not miss the people. So yea you would have to live in the Dakotas, but you don't have to live with all the transplants who have all but ruined the state.
Title: Re: What State has the best ice fishing ?
Post by: 32footsteps on Mar 05, 2019, 08:18 AM
Any state that offers diversity. This is why I’m beyond content in Wisconsin. I don’t have to go more than an hour from my house and I’ll be on bodies of water that have salmon, perch, trophy pike, walleyes, and Lake Trout....plus anything else in between. If I only targeted one or two species then I’d say someplace different...but I won’t trade the different options I have in my own backyard.
Title: Re: What State has the best ice fishing ?
Post by: hole_hopper454 on Mar 05, 2019, 09:04 AM
I don’t see anyone from Alaska chiming in. I guess they don’t give away their secret, but I’d like to go there someday to fish their hardwaters. I bet it’s spectacular up there!

Alaska ice fishing is nothing to brag about when compared to the upper Midwest. One of the big reasons I moved back. Catching stocked trout and landlocked salmon gets boring imo. Some decent pike fishing in spots if you have the toys to get there.
Title: Re: What State has the best ice fishing ?
Post by: bullpine on Mar 05, 2019, 09:15 AM
Stinkyfinger, I grew up in Colorado, spent 35 years there. The state is awesome, we go back every year to visit. The problem with Colorado is the people. I miss the mountains, but I do not miss the people. So yea you would have to live in the Dakotas, but you don't have to live with all the transplants who have all but ruined the state.

I don't know many people in Colorado but they must be pretty stupid politically.  They just voted to make sure their vote in presidential elections never count by allowing there electoral votes go with the national popular vote instead of their citizens vote. I would not give up my vote no matter how good the ice fishing is.
https://www.prageru.com/video/the-popular-vote-vs-the-electoral-college/
Title: Re: What State has the best ice fishing ?
Post by: stinkyfingers on Mar 05, 2019, 05:18 PM
Stinkyfinger, I grew up in Colorado, spent 35 years there. The state is awesome, we go back every year to visit. The problem with Colorado is the people. I miss the mountains, but I do not miss the people. So yea you would have to live in the Dakotas, but you don't have to live with all the transplants who have all but ruined the state.

 Agree with everybody. Too many people, high altitude, more weed shops than liquor stores. Generally none too bright either including me. Parts are real pretty though.
Title: Re: What State has the best ice fishing ?
Post by: bobberbill on Mar 05, 2019, 11:41 PM
Another vote for Michigan. Libs carry guns. JUne, July, August, and winter. Best fishing on the planet. Thousands of pub land for hunting, countless lakes and streams, Great Lakes, Lk St. Clair - the best fishery in the world..
Title: Re: What State has the best ice fishing ?
Post by: Agronomist_at_IA on Mar 05, 2019, 11:54 PM
I don't know many people in Colorado but they must be pretty stupid politically.  They just voted to make sure their vote in presidential elections never count by allowing there electoral votes go with the national popular vote instead of their citizens vote. I would not give up my vote no matter how good the ice fishing is.
https://www.prageru.com/video/the-popular-vote-vs-the-electoral-college/

Lmao......no need to even campaign in CO now.

I'd have to say best state to ice fish.....MN without a doubt. It's a land of 10,000 lakes and a lot of great fishing.
Title: Re: What State has the best ice fishing ?
Post by: DTro on Mar 06, 2019, 06:40 AM
There's a reason that the biggest and best ice fishing companies are right here in MN.  Otter, Clam, Marcum, Vexilar, Rapala, Northland, Strikemaster,  just to name a few, the list goes on and on.    It really is the center of Ice Fishing. 

Title: Re: What State has the best ice fishing ?
Post by: Bull Herbie on Mar 06, 2019, 08:32 AM
He’s got a point^^^^^^^^
Title: Re: What State has the best ice fishing ?
Post by: aquarium234 on Mar 06, 2019, 08:53 AM
if your leaving ny because you think the fishing is getting worse your crazy. But by all means leave....more fish for me :-), Our DEC does a great job working to restore our fisheries. Many bodies of water have recovered from past escapades. A month in Minnesota is defiantly on my retirement plan....but  can't see leaving NY because you think the fishing is in decline or hunting is declining. More deer now then they ever had in the past.  Maine only allows 5 lines for ice fishing...Vermont 8, NY 7 remember to look at regulations to make sure your new state matches your desired fishing style. 
Title: Re: What State has the best ice fishing ?
Post by: HWeber on Mar 06, 2019, 08:56 AM
Mn can have it. ND fishing sucks mn folks should stay in mn ;D kidding mostly
Title: Re: What State has the best ice fishing ?
Post by: Philip on Mar 07, 2019, 10:26 AM
Not much better in northern Illinois except we get a little longer season. Nothing great about fishing in Illinois. Probably bringing up the rear. Maybe ahead of Indiana lol

This place sucks for ice fishing. Learning that pretty quickly
Title: Re: What State has the best ice fishing ?
Post by: Light liner on Mar 07, 2019, 02:41 PM
if your leaving ny because you think the fishing is getting worse your crazy. But by all means leave....more fish for me :-), Our DEC does a great job working to restore our fisheries. Many bodies of water have recovered from past escapades. A month in Minnesota is defiantly on my retirement plan....but  can't see leaving NY because you think the fishing is in decline or hunting is declining. More deer now then they ever had in the past.  Maine only allows 5 lines for ice fishing...Vermont 8, NY 7 remember to look at regulations to make sure your new state matches your desired fishing style.

15 lines on champlain.
Title: Re: What State has the best ice fishing ?
Post by: PikeKing23 on Mar 07, 2019, 03:01 PM
Whatever state I happen to be fishing in that day!
Title: Re: What State has the best ice fishing ?
Post by: icejohn on Mar 15, 2019, 08:04 PM
if your leaving ny because you think the fishing is getting worse your crazy. But by all means leave....more fish for me :-), Our DEC does a great job working to restore our fisheries. Many bodies of water have recovered from past escapades. A month in Minnesota is defiantly on my retirement plan....but  can't see leaving NY because you think the fishing is in decline or hunting is declining. More deer now then they ever had in the past.  Maine only allows 5 lines for ice fishing...Vermont 8, NY 7 remember to look at regulations to make sure your new state matches your desired fishing style.
Aquarium....fishing and hunting isn't bad here in upstate ny...but the NYC crowd (dems) and our communist governor....I'm planning to leave NY too...gun laws and taxes are getting worse every day....
Title: Re: What State has the best ice fishing ?
Post by: perch chacer on Mar 15, 2019, 10:06 PM
If your looking for some of the best upland bird hunting, especially pheasants along with big game and ice fishing then the Dakotas and Minnesota are for you.
Title: Re: What State has the best ice fishing ?
Post by: Kourcha on Mar 20, 2019, 11:56 AM
I'm gonna have to say Minnesota aswell, I live in Maine would say Maine but I'd rather see more people head out yer guys way. Don't like invasive species up here much  ;D not really talking bout the fish