Are you considering taking a trip to the Mississippi River near La Crosse to ice fish this winter? Not sure where to start on a vast body of water like the river? Read on because this article is for you.
The Stoddard “Box”
This man-made backwater area in the town of Stoddard south of La Crosse is nearly synonymous with ice fishing in the La Crosse area. Boasting huge populations of panfish, pike, and bass, it is renowned for good reason.
The “Box” as it’s called by locals is actually a very large area of mostly 2 feet of water, however, there are several areas that were dredged out during the creation of the box that offer fish access to deeper water.
When fishing the box, you’ll be able to tell from shanty towns or a good map where the deeper holes are. Focusing on these ditches will be your best bet for filling your pail in Stoddard.
Lake Onalaska
Any quick research of ice fishing in the La Crosse area will likely point you in the direction of this huge backwater lake that was created by the damming of the river in the early 1900s.
Lake Onalaska is an ice fisherman’s paradise as it offers vast populations of panfish, bass, and pike, is a top producer of trophy-size Yellow Perch, and has very productive areas easily accessible to anglers on foot. There are several key launches that you don’t need to trek out far from to find some fish.
These launches include Mosey Landing, Fisherman’s Road Landing, and the Sailboat Club Launch. These are near deeper water that is sought after by wintering fish populations in the lake.
Utilizing typical ice fishing techniques like small jigs, tip-ups, and tip-downs, you should be able to find success in and around Lake Onalaska.
Lawrence Lake
This backwater area of the Mississippi River can be found just north of Brownsville, Minnesota, and to the southwest of La Crosse about 10 miles. This large shallow lake is a popular destination for many ice fishing enthusiasts throughout the winter months.
Lawrence Lake has a medium depth of 4 to 6 feet of water throughout most of it, with an area of deeper water located in the middle, which can really attract the wintering panfish. This hole is a little bit of a trek from the nearest launch, but can be very worth it!
The Lawrence Lake Marina offers anglers access to the backwater system and has a concrete ramp for easily unloading all of your equipment.
Conclusion
If you’re considering an ice fishing trip to the Mighty Mississippi, keep La Crosse and these three fishing areas toward the top of your list! The population and size of the fish here are unmatched by nearly any water in the Midwest! Tight lines!