Ice fishing enthusiasts come to the frozen lakes of Aroostook County each year for a quiet pause from the daily grind.

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The fresh, crisp air, vast wilderness, and cozy accommodations are a welcomed sight each winter season.

The fertile waters of summer are still available all winter for sport fishing, and best yet, you don’t need a boat to reach the lucky fishing spots at the center of the lake or pond.

Get ready to catch trophy-worthy fish and a lifetime of memories!

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What you need to know

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Whether you like to use a hand chisel or a power auger to break your way through the ice, there are a few things you need to know before you fish.

●      Obtaining a fishing license is quick, easy, and required for ice fishing license: Hunting & Fishing License

●      It is important to know the fishing laws before you go:  Laws and Rules for Ice Fishing

●      Free fishing weekends: Fishing Resources

●      The Maine fishing guide: Maine Fishing Guides

Where are the best spots?

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Ask the locals where the best fishing spots are, and you will receive an array of answers. Some diehard ice fishers are tight-lipped about their favorite spots, while others love to boast about trophy-size catches. Here are a few spots where you are almost guaranteed a great day's worth of fishing.

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Long Lake, St. Agatha, Maine.

Home of one of the most popular ice fishing derbies in the state, Long Lake will not disappoint. Ice shacks sprinkle the landscape between January and March, each one unique in its style and amenities. Anglers vie for the opportunity to catch perch, trout, and landlocked salmon.

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Pleasant Lake, Island Falls,Maine.

At63 feet deep, Pleasant Lake is the perfect spot to catch landlocked salmonaveraging 3-5 pounds and stocked brook trout around 2-3 pounds! Check out Birch Point Campground icefishing/shack rentals.

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Madawaska Lake, Madawaska, Maine.

This lake provides everything from smelt, trout, and salmon. Ice anglers have trophy opportunities for trout, salmon, and togue.

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Arnold Brook Lake, Presque Isle, Maine.

Covering over 395 acres, this pond is stocked each fall with big brook trout, which will yield approximately three large trout per acre.

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Cochrane Lake and Nickerson Lake, New Limerick, Maine.

Cochrane Lake is stocked each fall with big splake, this pond is home to large trout. Each fall, Nickerson Lake is stocked with big brook trout and yields about five large trout per acre.

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Allagash River.  

More adventurous ice anglers seek remote fishing excursions where the Allagash River has open spots and provides epic fishing action with wild, native brook trout and togue.

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The chilly temperatures are no excuse to stay inside this winter. Be adventurous, get outside, and experience Aroostook. From snowmobiling, dog sled racing, downhill and cross country skiing, ice fishing derbies, and so much more, Aroostook County is a must-see winter destination.