How thick does ice need to be to fish on in Wisconsin?

Public guidance: at least 4 inches of clear, solid new ice to walk on. White ice is about half as strong. Follow your state agency's advice and check the ice yourself.

What are good ice-fishing lakes in Wisconsin?

Start with Lake Winnebago, Geneva Lake and Petenwell Lake.

Ice fishing in Wisconsin: 10 lakes and how to stay safe

When the lakes lock up, Wisconsin turns into ice-fishing country. These 10 lakes hold the fish people drill for, from Lake Winnebago down.

Ice first

Those figures are for clear, solid new ice. White or snow ice is about half as strong, so double them. Ice is never the same thickness across a lake: check it with a spud or auger every few steps, stay away from inlets, outlets, springs and pressure ridges, and follow your state agency's advice.

Clear new ice	What it can hold (public guidance)
Under 4 in	Stay off
4 in	Walking, ice fishing on foot
5 to 7 in	Snowmobile or ATV
8 to 12 in	Small car or light pickup
12 to 15 in	Medium truck

1. Lake Winnebago

Lake Winnebago spreads over 132,000 acres of water. Walleye, yellow perch, catfish and white bass are the draw. It goes down to about 21 ft. Under the ice, walleye: cold. Slow jigs on deep structure.

Lake Winnebago today: water temperature, bite times and the 3-D lake bed

2. Geneva Lake

Geneva Lake spreads over some 5,400 acres. It holds northern pike, yellow perch, smallmouth bass and largemouth bass. At about 135 ft deep, it stays cooler below the surface well into summer. The lake bed gives you three point drop-offs and an upper arm to work. Under the ice, northern pike: cold. Slow baits near weed edges and drop-offs.

Geneva Lake today: water temperature, bite times and the 3-D lake bed

3. Petenwell Lake

Petenwell Lake covers some 23,200 acres. It lies about 3.2 miles northeast of Rome. Petenwell Dam holds it on the Wisconsin River. It holds walleye, northern pike, largemouth bass and smallmouth bass. It goes down to about 42 ft. The lake bed gives you two point drop-offs and a sheltered cove to work. Petenwell Lake is the second-largest lake located entirely within Wisconsin. Under the ice, walleye: cold. Slow jigs on deep structure.

Petenwell Lake today: water temperature, bite times and the 3-D lake bed

4. Castle Rock Lake

Castle Rock Lake spreads over some 16,600 acres. It lies about 5.4 miles east of Adams. Expect walleye, crappie, northern pike and bluegill. It goes down to about 35 ft. On the 3-D map the bed has three steep ledges and a point drop-off: good places to start. Under the ice, walleye: cold. Slow jigs on deep structure.

Castle Rock Lake today: water temperature, bite times and the 3-D lake bed

5. Turtle Flambeau Flowage

At 12,900 acres of water, Turtle Flambeau Flowage is a big lake. The lake is near Lac du Flambeau. Northern pike, walleye, muskie and largemouth bass are the draw. The deepest water is around 49 ft. Its bed shows three point drop-offs and two sheltered coves worth a first look. The Turtle-Flambeau Flowage is the seventh-largest lake in Wisconsin by surface area. Under the ice, northern pike: cold. Slow baits near weed edges and drop-offs.

Turtle Flambeau Flowage today: water temperature, bite times and the 3-D lake bed

6. Lake Koshkonong

Lake Koshkonong covers 10,500 acres of water. The lake is within an easy drive of Janesville (about 10 miles). It holds northern pike, walleye, muskie and largemouth bass. It goes down to about 7 ft. Lake Koshkonong, one of Wisconsin's largest inland lakes, averages only about 6 feet deep. Under the ice, northern pike: cold. Slow baits near weed edges and drop-offs.

Lake Koshkonong today: water temperature, bite times and the 3-D lake bed

7. Lake Mendota

At 9,740 acres, Lake Mendota is a good-sized lake. It lies right by Maple Bluff. Expect northern pike, walleye, white bass and largemouth bass. The deepest water is around 83 ft. The lake bed gives you three point drop-offs and an upper arm to work. Lake Mendota is the largest of Madison's four connected Yahara lakes and one of the most-studied lakes in the world. Under the ice, northern pike: cold. Slow baits near weed edges and drop-offs.

Lake Mendota today: water temperature, bite times and the 3-D lake bed

8. Green Lake

Green Lake is a natural lake of 7,350 acres. It lies next to Green Lake. Walleye, northern pike, bluegill and crappie are the draw. The deepest water is around 237 ft. Its bed shows three point drop-offs and two sheltered coves worth a first look. At 237 feet deep, Green Lake is the deepest natural inland lake in Wisconsin. Under the ice, walleye: cold. Slow jigs on deep structure.

Green Lake today: water temperature, bite times and the 3-D lake bed

9. Beaver Dam Lake

Beaver Dam Lake covers 6,720 acres. You will find it right by Beaver Dam. Northern pike, walleye and largemouth bass are the draw. At about 7 ft at its deepest, it warms quickly in spring. Its bed shows three point drop-offs and a steep ledge worth a first look. Under the ice, northern pike: cold. Slow baits near weed edges and drop-offs.

Beaver Dam Lake today: water temperature, bite times and the 3-D lake bed

10. Shawano Lake

At 6,180 acres, Shawano Lake is a good-sized lake. You will find it near Shawano. Expect northern pike, walleye, bluegill and crappie. It goes down to about 42 ft. Its bed shows three point drop-offs and an upper arm worth a first look. A dam on the Wolf River in the city of Shawano raises the water level of Shawano Lake. Under the ice, northern pike: cold. Slow baits near weed edges and drop-offs.

Shawano Lake today: water temperature, bite times and the 3-D lake bed

What to bring

Ice picks around your neck and a throw rope
A spud bar or auger to test as you walk
A flotation suit or life jacket on early and late ice
A friend, and someone on shore who knows where you went
Small jigs and spoons tipped with a minnow or waxie