Ice Fishing in the BWCA

Ice fishing season in the Boundary Waters is just around the corner. We’ve had years where we have had to fish through the ice on the Minnesota open water fishing opener but I can’t say I can remember a time when we’ve had open water for the ice fishing opener.

There is ice on some of the lakes in the Boundary Waters. The shallower and smaller lakes are partially frozen but the big lakes like Gunflint and Saganaga still have open water.

We’re hoping for some cold temperatures so the lakes freeze solidly and the snow accumulates for winter fun.

Jan. 1: Lake trout season begins for lakes entirely within the Boundary Waters Canoe Area (BWCA);
Jan. 16: Winter lake trout and stream trout seasons begin for lakes outside or partly outside the BWCA.