Let us break the ice and help you plan your ice-fishing adventures in the Eau Claire area! With the help of Scheels - Eau Claire, we've created an easy guide highlighting the best places to fish, the best gear available for purchase at the shop, and, better yet, the best places to celebrate your trophy fish! Keep reading to see our all-in-one guide to ice-fishing in Eau Claire.
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Best Spots to Ice Fish In & Near Eau Claire
Half Moon Lake
Throughout the entire year, Half Moon Lake, in the heart of Eau Claire, is a popular and successful fishing spot. Through every season, you can catch largemouth bass, panfish, and northern pike in the waters surrounding Carson Park. Parking can be found on the east side of the lake or in Braun's Bay near the south entrance. Click here to learn more about fishing at Half Moon Lake!
Lake Wissota
Lake Wissota is the largest lake in the Eau Claire area, located in Chippewa Falls, and a prime location for ice fishing and contests this winter. Hit the ice this season and go for crappies, perch, and walleye on Lake Wissota. With over 6,000 acres of lake to fish, there's plenty of room for everyone to pack their shacks and spend a day on the ice-covered lake! If you're looking for some friendly ice-fishing competition, register to be a part of the JIG's UP ice-fishing contest that takes place every February (weather dependent). This season, the contest takes place on February 8, 2025. Find more information about the competition here!
Lake Altoona
Head to where the Eau Claire River turns into Lake Altoona for another day of ice fishing near Eau Claire! Located right in Altoona, Lake Altoona is roughly 720 acres and is known for crappie, perch, and walleye fishing. Click here to learn more about winter recreation at Lake Altoona, and start prepping for your outdoor adventures!
5 Must-Have Ice Fishing Products From Scheels - Eau Claire
1. Floating Ice Picks
As a safety product, it is strongly recommended that anyone fishing or traveling on the ice come prepared with floating ice picks. Meant for self-rescue or chipping at the ice, floating picks are compact and can conveniently be carried in any pocket. Click here to shop for floating ice picks at Scheels in Eau Claire.
2. Float Jacket & Bibs
Perfect for warmth and an extra layer of safety, floating jackets & bibs are an essential part of your ice fishing experience, and everything can be picked up at Scheels in Eau Claire. The IceArmor outerwear line features pieces with 100 grams of fixed insulation and is 100% waterproof to keep you warm and dry on the ice on the coldest winter days. Also within the gear, there is Integrated Motion Float technology providing an internal buoyancy for floatation in case of an ice breakthrough. Shop for the IceArmor Clam Float gear here.
3. Otter Outdoors Sled
Carry all of your ice fishing gear with ease in the Otter Outdoors Sled available at Scheels. The Pro sled comes in small, medium, or magnum sizes and is a heavy-duty piece of equipment for pulling strength and stability. The sled has a molded-in hitch, designed for towing behind an ATV/UTV or snowmobile. The material offers flexibility and durability through cold temperatures, and the leading edge on the sled makes moving through deep snow even easier. Click here to shop Otter sleds at Scheels.
4. Ice Fishing Auger
Whether using an electric auger or a manual piece, an auger is another essential tool for your ice-fishing excursion. Scheels offers a variety of both, and each may come in handy, depending on the ice conditions. In the earlier part of the season when the ice is thinner, a hand auger may do the trick. As the temperatures get colder and the ice thickens, an electric auger may be more useful. Did we mention that the Otter sleds are the perfect size to carrier your augers and accessories?! Shop the Scheels ice fishing auger selection here!
5. Tip Ups or Rods & Reels
Finally, you'll need the equipment to actually catch the fish. Scheels offers a large selection of reel and rod combos in different brands for different techniques. Scheels recommends Beaver Dam tip-ups as the most trusted option, but the shop in Eau Claire has a variety for everyone's interests. Click here to learn more about the rods, reels, and tip-ups at Scheels and to shop for your ideal combination.
Photo: The Brewing Projekt
Where to Celebrate Your Big Catch in Eau Claire
After a long day in the cold, it's time to pack up your ice fishing gear, gather your catches of the day, and head out to celebrate! Whether you're looking for a comforting bite to eat or a craft beer to "cheers" with, Eau Claire and the surrounding area have a taste for everyone. Head to the many breweries in town to get a proper taste of craft beer in Eau Claire. If you're coming off the ice at Half Moon Lake, you're not too far from Lazy Monk or The Brewing Projekt. After that, head into downtown Eau Claire, and raise a glass at Bloomer Brewing Company - Andante Taproom, or fill your own drinks up at Phoenix Taproom & Kitchen. After a day of fishing on Lake Wissota, head into Chippewa Falls to experience Leinie Lodge and the seasonal flavors on tap. Click here to discover more breweries in the Eau Claire area as the perfect way to end a day on the ice.
If you need more than a cold beer, grab a table at one of Eau Claire's restaurants to warm up this winter! Choose from a large menu at Cowboy Jack's in River Prairie, or have burgers at Valley Burger Company on your way out of Carson Park. Other casual restaurants to stop at after a day of fishing at Half Moon Lake include Ray's Place, Fella's Loaded Goat, or Court'n House. Find dive bars around Eau Claire here, or pick just the dish you're looking for by browsing Eau Claire's restaurants here.