Fishing in January: What's Biting
The species with the strongest bite in January across the lakes in our guide, how to fish each one and where to go.
Northern Pike
Winter pike hold on points and the edges of weed beds in 8-25 ft. Tip-ups with large live baitfish are the classic ice method. Mornings and evenings are best.
Try: Bucktail spinners, Large spoons, Jerkbaits.
Yellow Perch
In winter they travel in schools over basins and flats at 15-40 ft. Spoons, jigging raps, and small jigs with minnow heads or wax worms are staples through the ice.
Try: Live minnows, Small jigs with wax worms, Jigging spoons.
Largemouth Bass
Under 50F, bass sit in the deepest nearby water, often 15-30 ft, and barely move. Small jigs, blade baits, drop-shot plastics and suspending jerkbaits worked painfully slowly are your best bets. Midday on a warm, stable day is the window.
Try: Plastic worms (Texas, wacky, Carolina), Jigs with craw trailers, Spinnerbaits and chatterbaits.
Crappie
Under 45F they gather in schools in deeper basins, brush and channel edges at 15-30 ft. Slow-fall jigs, minnows, and tiny spoons are best, and fishing is best on bright, stable afternoons.
Try: 1/32-1/16 oz jigs with soft plastic bodies, Live minnows, Small spinners.
Rainbow / Brown Trout
Cold-water lakes remain productive. Trout feed at 10-30 ft under ice on small spoons, jigs and bait. Midday is the best time.
Try: Small spoons, Inline spinners, PowerBait.
Full Rainbow / Brown Trout guide →
Walleye
In cold water they hold deep near structure and baitfish, often 20-40 ft in reservoirs. Vertical jigging spoons, jigging raps and minnows or small jigs on a light line are standard. Dusk and dawn are best.
Try: Jig with minnow, Nightcrawler harness on a bottom bouncer, Crankbaits.