Midwestern Fishing Calendars

Memorable fishing trips often begin with a calendar, map and targeted species. Game & Fish editors and writers have done you a good solid with our 2018 Fishing Calendars, which outlines 5-star fishing hot spots in your region. Whether it's bass, walleye, trout, crappie, muskie, or saltwater species (and many others), we pinpoint when and where the fish bite best all across the Midwest this year.

Great Plains Fishing Calendar

JANUARY - Yellow Perch: Devils Lake, ND - The largest natural lake in North Dakota is Devils Lake. Located in Ramsey and Benson counties in the northeastern part of the state, Devils Lake covers thousands of acres and is a great place to target jumbo perch through the ice. As a matter of fact, this lake has been called the perch capital of the world. Devils Lake really is a great perch lake. It is fairly deep, although water levels fluctuate with precipitation. There are rocky areas, sharp drop-offs, underwater humps and many bays and coves where the perch can hide... Read the entire 2018 outlook

Iowa Fishing Calendar

JANUARY - Bluegills: West Lake Okoboji - "The bite for huge bluegills and yellow bass (at West Okoboji) was nonstop all summer," said professional fishing guide John Grosvenor, who offers frequent fishing reports on his "Lake Okoboji Fishing" Facebook page. "So the ice- fishing for bluegills and yellows should be off the charts this winter. It's nothing to catch 10- to 11-inch bluegills. And those aren't just occasional big ones. Some days, they'll average 10 inches." Grosvenor said it's not hard to find panfish at West Okoboji because there are die-hard ice-anglers on the ice every day, tracking the movement of the fish.... Read the entire 2018 outlook

Illinois Fishing Calendar

JANUARY - Bluegills: Fox Chain O' Lakes - This is one of the best spots in the state for pulling a few tasty bluegills through an ice hole. There is a very good population of 'gills at the "Chain" and a nice distribution of sizes. Plenty of fish above 6 inches are available. Bluegills are an excellent option for ice anglers as they bite well through the ice and provide a lot of action. Look for weeds along the bottom, especially along the edges of channels. Knowing the lake and starting near areas where bluegills were active before the ice formed is certainly helpful and cuts down on drilling, hunting and pecking. Lake maps are also helpful and there are very affordable electronics available now specifically designed for ice fishing. Most people fish live bait such as a mousie, meal worm, wax worm or bee moth. These may be fished alone or tipped on a small ice fly or jig.... Read the entire 2018 outlook

Indiana Fishing Calendar

JANUARY - Yellow Perch: Lake Maxinkuckee - Ice-anglers in southwestern Marshall County should head to Lake Maxinkuckee near Culver as soon as the ice is safe. This 1,864-acre natural lake features plenty of fish to lure eager ice-fishermen, from toothy walleyes and hand-sized bluegills to beautifully marked jumbo perch. The yellow perch, in particular, are the favorite of some of the regulars here. Lake Maxinkuckee is a great perch lake. It is deep, with a maximum depth of 88 feet and lots of holes and sharp breaklines. There are also several mid-lake humps where the bottom comes up to within 6-12 feet of the surface. Schools of yellow perch cruise along the bottom and over these humps, searching for an easy meal.... Read the entire 2018 outlook

Michigan Fishing Calendar

JANUARY - Walleyes: Saginaw Bay - The Bay is chockfull of naturally reproduced walleyes. So many, in fact, that the Michigan DNR upped the daily limit and lowered the size limit to increase harvest and avoid a population crash. First ice usually forms close to shore by the end of December. Walleyes and jumbo perch can be caught in 8 to 12 feet of water on each side of the Bay then. Anglers should use caution when on the ice and pay attention to wind direction. Offshore winds are taboo. Depths from 17 to 22 feet are best throughout midwinter until early March when the pre-spawn walleyes migrate toward the river mouths. Jigging is the most popular and productive technique. Top baits include Do Jiggers and Swedish Pimples, Rattlin' Buckshot Lures, and PK Lure's Flutter Fish.... Read the entire 2018 outlook

Minnesota Fishing Calendar

JANUARY - Crappies: Fairmont Chain of Lakes - Located in the city of Fairmont along the Iowa border, the chain of lakes has a solid reputation as crappie producers during the winter, and 100-fish days! There's been a crappie resurgence in the lakes in recent years. Justin Sommer, who owns Sommer Outdoors in Fairmont, recalls fishing as a kid and being happy with a crappie or two. By January, there's plenty of ice for anglers to access the lakes, which aren't particularly deep. Amber Lake is deepest, with a maximum of 19 feet. According to the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, anglers have a chance to catch both white and black crappies in the chain.... Read the entire 2018 outlook

Ohio Fishing Calendar

JANUARY - SAUGER: OHIO RIVER - The Ohio River is known as the most productive sauger fishery in the nation. The action continues through the winter months, peaking in late winter when low water temperatures trigger the fish to go into pre-spawn mode and start feeding heavily. There are nine lock and dam complexes connected to the Ohio shoreline that concentrate the sauger and provide access to the fishery from the shore, where anglers cast jigs and retrieve baits right along the riprap and concrete walls.... Read the entire 2018 outlook

Wisconsin Fishing Calendar

JANUARY - Walleyes: Lake Koshkonong - Koshkonong is a shallow 10,000-acre flowage of Rock River in south-central Wisconsin with very little structure or current. Ironically, both current and structure are major keys to success on Kosh. On a slightly rising river, fishing usually is better near the east end inlet, out from places like the Mounds. When the Rock is stable — or falling — the old shale road between Thiebeau and Carcajou points built by Native Americans to cross wetlands that became Koshkonong when the Indianford dam went in, is a walleye hotspot. Setting three tip-ups in a triangle pattern is a good way to find fish. Drill multiple holes before fishing, then move the boards according to how the flags pop... Read the entire 2018 outlook