Ice fishing on Lake Wingra, Dane County, Wisconsin

Dane County • South-Central Wisconsin

Ice Fishing Lake Wingra, Wisconsin

A complete hard-water guide to Lake Wingra. Target Bluegill, Crappie and Northern Pike through the ice with injection-poured Country Cave Baits built for Wisconsin's frozen lakes.

Ice Fishing on Lake Wingra

The smallest of Madison's Yahara chain lakes, Lake Wingra is a shallow, fertile urban fishery bordering the UW Arboretum. Its lily pads and weed flats make it a sleeper largemouth and panfish destination.

When Lake Wingra freezes over each winter, it becomes a premier hard-water destination in Dane County. Ice anglers target Bluegill, Crappie and Northern Pike through the ice, and the lake's structure and forage make it especially productive from first ice through late ice. Country Cave Baits' Panfish Collection — the injection-poured Crappie Bug and 1.2 Inch Crappie Slayer — is purpose-built for the micro forage these fish key on all winter, and our glow colors charge in natural sunlight and glow after dark — a UV flashlight amps the glow up even brighter, deadly in stained water and after dark — drawing strikes from deep, low-light fish.

What You'll Catch Through the Ice

Bluegill Crappie Northern Pike

Best Ice Baits for Lake Wingra

Our top-recommended Country Cave Baits for ice fishing on Lake Wingra in Dane County, Wisconsin. Each is injection-poured in Fall River, WI.

Crappie Bug — best ice fishing bait for Lake Wingra, Dane County, Wisconsin

$5.25

Panfish creature bait

Crappie Bug

The Crappie Bug is a tiny creature bait with wiggling legs and a soft, buoyant body that hovers naturally on a light jig. Crappie, bluegill, and perch all fall for its subtle, buggy action under docks and around brush piles. It's a go-to ice fishing bait too — jig it through the ice around brush and cribs for slab panfish all winter.

View Crappie Bug

1.2 Inch Crappie Slayer — best ice fishing bait for Lake Wingra, Dane County, Wisconsin

$6.50

Slab crappie magnet

1.2 Inch Crappie Slayer

Our 1.2-inch Crappie Slayer is a micro tube designed specifically for slab crappie. The tiny ribbed body and flowing tail seduce panfish into biting when the bite is tough. Rig it on a small jig head under a float or tight-line it vertically. It's also a deadly ice fishing bait — drop it through the ice to suspended crappie and bluegill all winter long.

View 1.2 Inch Crappie Slayer

3 Inch Split Tail Minnow — best ice fishing bait for Lake Wingra, Dane County, Wisconsin

$5.75

Finesse flicker

3 Inch Split Tail Minnow

A delicate 3-inch split tail minnow that flickers and darts on a drop shot or small jig head. The slim forked tail shimmies on the fall, making it a go-to for pressured bass and finicky feeders.

View 3 Inch Split Tail Minnow

Ice Fishing Tips for Lake Wingra

Pro Tips for Lake Wingra

▸Jig a 1.2 Inch Crappie Slayer or Crappie Bug over suspended schools of panfish on Lake Wingra — locate fish on electronics before dropping down.
▸Set tip-ups along the weed edges on Lake Wingra for northern pike that patrol the shallows all winter.
▸Our glow colors charge in natural sunlight and glow after dark — a UV flashlight amps the glow up even brighter. Deadly in stained water and after dark for deep, low-light fish through the ice on Lake Wingra.

Jig a Crappie Slayer for Suspended Panfish

Locate suspended crappie and bluegill on your electronics, then drop a 1.2 Inch Crappie Slayer on a small jig head to just above the school. Subtle lifts and long pauses trigger strikes from finicky winter panfish.

Tip a Jigging Spoon for Walleye

Thread a 3 Inch Split Tail Minnow onto a jigging spoon and work the deeper breaks and rock bars at dusk. Walleye move shallow to feed under low light, and the minnow profile seals the deal.

Glow Colors for Deep, Low-Light Fish

Our glow colors charge in natural sunlight and glow after dark — a UV flashlight amps the glow up even brighter. Drop them to deep, suspended fish; the glow draws strikes from crappie, perch and walleye that won't move far in cold, dark water.

Tip-Ups for Northern Pike

Set tip-ups baited with a Crappie Bug along weed edges and over deeper holes. Northern pike patrol the shallows all winter and readily eat a small, lively profile suspended under the ice.

Shop Ice Baits for Lake Wingra Open-Water Guide to Lake Wingra

Ice Safety on Lake Wingra

▸Always verify ice thickness — a minimum of 4 inches of clear, solid ice is recommended for walking. New, clear ice is stronger than white or honeycombed ice.
▸Never fish alone on early or late ice, and wear a flotation suit or life jacket. Carry ice picks around your neck in case of a fall-through.
▸Watch for pressure cracks, moving water, and areas near inlets, outlets, and current — ice is always thinner there.
▸Check current conditions with the Wisconsin DNR and local bait shops before heading out. Ice is never 100% safe.