Post Deployment Ice Fishing Trip

I will be returning from Afghanistan at the very end of the year and am very interested in traveling to a new place for ice fishing. I have only ever been ice fishing in Michigan, but this time I’m willing to go anywhere. I have mostly been looking into Wisconsin, Minnesota, and North Dakota for Pike, Walleye, and Perch.

What are some good, well known lakes that I should more specifically look into?

Should I utilize a guide service? Which One?

In Michigan I know the lakes the back of my hand, but I don’t know other lakes and really do not want to travel several hours just to get skunked. I am literally open to any suggestions and will research all of them.

Thanks!

God speed…stay safe. And Lake of the Woods, hands down.

I don’t really ice fish, but I would be more than happy to offer a seat to you in my boat on the Missippi river. PM I run it all winter long.

Ps thanks for your service.

Yea, Lake of the Woods is a very obvious and very realistic choice for me. I am just trying to figure out if there are any other wonderful lakes around that I do not know about. Guide Service? Thank You!

Welcome to IDO and thanks for serving.
Are your looking for one lake or looking to hit multiple lakes during the trip?
DT

Whereabouts on the Mississippi? And I do it all for you friend. Thanks for the kind words

Looking for about a 2-4 day trip. If It’s a huge lake with a million different ways and places to fish, I might as well stick with one, but I am not against hitting several.

Without a doubt you need to get to devils lake North Dakota! Look up Perch patrol guide service they’re on fish from ice up to ice off.

I went to Upper Red Lake last winter through Portavilla. Really cheap, pretty good service (not spectacular by any means), and caught a lot of fish. Plenty of walleye, some perch, and a few northerns in 3 days.

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Welcome to IDO and thanks for serving.
Are your looking for one lake or looking to hit multiple lakes during the trip?
DT

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X2 and especially the Thanks for Serving.

I have ice fished all of the big lakes in MN during the past two years, and would have to say LOW, NW Angle Side without a doubt! For guide service, i would start by checking out the Red Fox Guide service but they are pretty spendy. There are lots of 1 man operation guides up that way as well, and any one of them will put you on fish. I have never seen such a steady stream of 20+ in eyes, and the wilderness and overall experience of the angle is second to none. good luck!

check out Wounded Warriors Guide Service. They offer a free guide service and might be able to hook you up.

http://www.woundedwarriorsguide.com/

I appreciate all of the wonderful knowledge you guys have hit me with. I have a folder made up for all of these great ideas and advice to further research.

Keep your head down brother and you and your guys come home safe.

As far as the trip goes, I would second what others have said about LOW or Devils. I fished Devils last winter and will be doing it again next winter at least once. If you do go to Devils get a hold of the guys at Camp Grafton, you will have a place to stay on the lake for pennies compared to anywhere else. If you by chance want to come to South Dakota let me know, and I would be happy to show you around up here, I’ll even put you up for the time you are here.

Check out Chris Grandrud at Rainydaze Guides on rainy lake here in Mn.
He is on fish all the time and one of the nicest guides you would ever have a chance to fish with.

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Check out Chris Grandrud at Rainydaze Guides on rainy lake here in Mn.
He is on fish all the time and one of the nicest guides you would ever have a chance to fish with.

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X2 Give Chris a call, great guy and he will put you on fish!!!!