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Expert-Guided Ice Fishing in Wisconsin Rapids
- Published Date: July 16, 2025
- Fishing
- Wisconsin
- $200 - $800 price range
Summary
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Frozen Lake Action
Where the fish are biting, you’ll find me!
Wisconsin waters never disappoint!
The river is calling, and I must fish!
Catch, release, and do it all over again!
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Gone fishing—be back whenever!
Fishing isn’t just a hobby—it’s a lifestyle!
Ice fishing dreams come true!
Pike Fishing therapy—100% effective!
Where the fish are biting, you’ll find me!
Wisconsin waters never disappoint!
The river is calling, and I must fish!
Catch, release, and do it all over again!
null
null
Gone fishing—be back whenever!
Fishing isn’t just a hobby—it’s a lifestyle!
Ice fishing dreams come true!
Pike Fishing therapy—100% effective!
Where the fish are biting, you’ll find me!
Wisconsin waters never disappoint!
The river is calling, and I must fish!
Catch, release, and do it all over again!
Ice Fishing Adventure in Wisconsin Rapids
Ready to drop a line through the ice and experience some of the best winter fishing Wisconsin has to offer? Keep It Reelin' Guide Service has you covered with our private ice fishing trips near Wisconsin Rapids. Bundle up and join local expert Ryan for a full day of jigging, tip-ups, and hopefully plenty of fish on the ice!
Trip Overview
This ain't your grandpa's ice fishing trip. We're talking a heated shack, top-notch gear, and a guide who knows these waters like the back of his hand. Ryan's been putting folks on fish for years, and he's got all the local intel to make sure your day on the ice is productive. Whether you're a seasoned ice angler or it's your first time drilling holes, we'll tailor the experience to your skill level. Bring your favorite snacks and drinks, and we'll take care of the rest. With room for up to 2 anglers (and the option to book for larger groups), it's the perfect way to spend a winter day in Wisconsin.
What to Expect on the Ice
Ice fishing with Keep It Reelin' is all about comfort and action. We'll set you up in a cozy, heated ice shack that'll keep you toasty even on the coldest days. No need to lug your own gear - we provide everything from ice augers to rods and reels. Ryan's got a knack for finding the honey holes, using a mix of old-school know-how and modern tech like underwater cameras and fish finders. We'll show you how to set tip-ups for pike and walleye, and teach you the finesse of jigging for crappies and bluegills. And hey, if the fish aren't biting, the stories and laughs are always flowing in the shack!
Top Catches This Season
Wisconsin Rapids and the surrounding lakes have been on fire this winter. We've been pulling in some real slabs - trophy walleyes pushing 30 inches, jumbo perch that'll make your frying pan look small, and northern pike that'll test your drag system. The crappie fishing has been particularly hot, with many anglers limiting out on 12-14 inch fish. It's not uncommon to see a mixed bag of species come up through the ice in a single day, keeping things exciting from dawn till dusk.
Species You'll Want to Hook
Crappie: These tasty panfish are a staple of Wisconsin ice fishing. They school up in deeper basins during winter, often suspending over structure. We target them with small jigs tipped with waxworms or plastics. The bite can be light, so keep an eye on that rod tip! Crappies in our lakes average 9-12 inches, but don't be surprised if you hook into a 14-15 inch slab.
Walleye: The crown jewel of Wisconsin fishing, walleyes are prized for both their fight and their flavor. These marble-eyed predators cruise the shallows at dawn and dusk, hunting for baitfish. We'll set tip-ups with large shiners or chubs to tempt them. The average walleye runs 15-20 inches, but Ryan's put clients on 28-30 inch trophies more than once this season.
Northern Pike: If you're after a real drag-screamer, pike are your target. These toothy critters are ambush predators, often found near weed edges or drop-offs. We use heavy-duty tip-ups with strong leaders to prevent bite-offs. Pike in our area typically range from 24-36 inches, with the occasional 40+ inch monster making an appearance.
Bluegill: Don't let their size fool you - bluegills are pound-for-pound some of the scrappiest fish swimming. We find them in shallower bays, often near vegetation. Light tackle and tiny jigs are the ticket here. While most run 6-8 inches, we've been seeing more "bull" bluegills in the 10-11 inch range lately.
Why Anglers Keep Coming Back
Folks book with Keep It Reelin' because we take the guesswork out of ice fishing. No need to worry about finding safe ice, lugging gear, or figuring out where the fish are biting. Ryan's local knowledge means you're fishing the hottest spots, using techniques that are working right now. Plus, our heated shacks mean you can fish in comfort, even when the mercury drops. It's a hassle-free way to experience some of the best ice fishing Wisconsin has to offer.
Time to Book Your Spot
Winter's not waiting, and neither should you! Prime ice fishing season is here, and the big ones are biting. Whether you're looking to fill the freezer with tasty fillets or just want to experience the thrill of battling a fish through the ice, Keep It Reelin' Guide Service has got you covered. Book your trip with Ryan today and get ready for a day of laughs, learning, and hopefully, lots of fish. Don't let this winter slip away without getting out on the ice - your Wisconsin Rapids ice fishing adventure is just a call away!
Learn more about the species
Bluegill
Bluegill might be small, but they're a blast to catch. These little scrappers usually run 6-8 inches and love hanging around docks, fallen trees, and weed beds in 3-10 feet of water. You can catch them year-round, but they're especially fun through the ice. Bluegill are perfect for getting kids into fishing - they bite readily and put up a good fight for their size. Plus, they're excellent eating with sweet, flaky meat. To really load up on bluegill, try using small jigs tipped with waxworms or pieces of nightcrawler. Fish them right on the bottom or under a slip bobber. When you see that bobber twitch, give it a second before setting the hook. Once you find a school, you can catch them all day long. It's nonstop action that'll keep a smile on your face.
Crappie
Crappie are a popular panfish that pack a lot of fun into a small package. Typically 7-12 inches long, these tasty little fighters like to hang out near submerged trees, brush piles, and weed edges. You'll find them in 5-15 feet of water most of the time. Spring and fall are prime crappie seasons when they school up tight. Folks love targeting them for their delicate, flaky white meat - some of the best eating fish out there. They put up a decent scrap on light tackle too. To really dial in on crappie, try vertical jigging with small soft plastics right up against cover. Let that jig fall on a slack line and watch for any slight twitch in your line - that's when to set the hook. With a little patience, you can load the boat with these feisty little guys.
Northern Pike
Northern pike are the wolves of our lakes - long, lean predators with a mouthful of teeth. These guys can stretch over 3 feet and put up one heck of a fight. Look for pike in weedy bays and along drop-offs, usually in 5-15 feet of water. They're most active in cooler months, making them a great ice fishing target. Pike are pure aggression on the line - violent strikes and powerful runs that'll test your gear. It's an adrenaline rush for sure. They're not the best eating, but the fight more than makes up for it. When you're after pike, go big or go home. Large spoons, inline spinners, or live bait under a bobber all work well. Just remember to use a steel leader - those teeth will slice through regular line in a heartbeat. And watch your fingers when unhooking them!
Walleye
Walleye are one of our most prized catches around here. These golden-olive fish typically run 15-25 inches and love to hang out near rocky points and drop-offs. During summer, you'll find them deeper - 20-30 feet down usually. But come evening, they move shallow to feed. That's prime time to target them. Walleye have a reputation for being finnicky, but man are they worth it. The fight isn't spectacular, but the eating sure is - sweet, flaky white meat that's hard to beat. Plus, there's something about their glowing eyes in low light that gets anglers fired up. To up your odds, try slow-trolling at night with a bottom bouncer and nightcrawler harness. Keep it slow and steady along those deep edges. When you feel that telltale tap-tap, let them take it for a second before setting the hook.
