Musky Shop Northwoods Fishing Report: Early January 2026
We hope you're enjoying a fantastic winter and finding time to get out on the ice!
Ice conditions in the Northwoods of Wisconsin are excellent right now, with most lakes boasting 12-14 inches of solid ice and minimal slush on top.
Fishing action has been very strong across species:
Walleye Fishing Tips
Most walleyes are being caught along weed edges in 10-14 feet of water. If they're not biting there, move to deeper bars and humps in the 20-25 foot range. Both tip-ups and jigging are producing well with Walleye Suckers and Medium Golden Shiners.
Crappie Fishing Tips
Some crappies are holding in weeds at 6-10 feet, but the majority are suspended in main lake basins at 20-35 feet. Small soft plastics are excelling, along with Crappie Minnows, Rosy Red Minnows, XL Fatheads, Jumbo Wax Worms, and Regular Wax Worms.
Top soft plastic recommendations for crappies:
- 13 Fishing Ice Plastics
- Kalin 2” Triple Threat Grub
- Kalin's 1 3/4” Triple Threat Crappie Scrub
- B Fish N Pulse-R 2.45”
- B Fish N Pulse R 3.25”
Northern Pike Fishing Tips
Northern pike are primarily in weedy areas at 6-12 feet. Tip-ups rigged with Pike Suckers, Walleye Suckers, or Large Golden Shiners are the go-to setup.
We stock a great selection of fresh live bait, ice fishing gear, and an unbeatable assortment of musky tackle. Stop by or contact us for the latest fishing info and all your gear needs—it’s our pleasure to help!