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Top-Rated Ice Fishing on Lake George | Austin Charters
- Published Date: July 16, 2025
- Fishing
- $500 price range
Summary
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Ice Fishing Action
Impressive Lake Trout haul!
Massive Lake Trout success!
Focused ice fishing setup!
Chunky Yellow Perch catch!
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Solid Lake Trout catch on the ice!
Proud Lake Trout moment!
Impressive Lake Trout haul!
Massive Lake Trout success!
Focused ice fishing setup!
Chunky Yellow Perch catch!
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Solid Lake Trout catch on the ice!
Proud Lake Trout moment!
Impressive Lake Trout haul!
Massive Lake Trout success!
Focused ice fishing setup!
Chunky Yellow Perch catch!
Lake George Ice Fishing: 4-Hour Private Charter
Ready to drill some holes and drop some lines through the ice? Our 4-hour private ice fishing charter on Lake George is the perfect way to experience the thrill of winter angling. Whether you're a seasoned ice fisher or trying it for the first time, you'll love the peaceful atmosphere and potential for big catches on this frozen Adirondack jewel.
Trip Overview
We'll meet up bright and early at 8:00 AM to make the most of prime fishing time. This trip runs on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays during the ice fishing season, typically from late December through early March (always dependent on safe ice conditions). Your expert guide will scope out the best spots based on current fish activity and ice thickness. We provide all the gear you need - tip-ups, jigging rods, bait, and even the ice auger. Just show up dressed warmly and ready for some action!
On the Ice
Once we find our spot, we'll drill a series of holes and set up our fishing zone. Your guide will show you how to use tip-ups, which let you fish multiple holes at once. We'll also do some active jigging, which can be great for attracting curious fish. The beauty of ice fishing is the downtime between bites - perfect for swapping stories, sipping hot cocoa, and soaking in the winter landscape. But when that flag pops up on a tip-up, get ready for some excitement as you race over to set the hook!
Why Anglers Love Lake George
Lake George is known as the "Queen of American Lakes" for good reason. Its crystal-clear waters and diverse fish population make it a year-round angler's paradise. In winter, the lake transforms into a serene white expanse, with the surrounding Adirondack mountains creating a picture-perfect backdrop. The lake's structure, with plenty of underwater points and drops, creates ideal habitat for our target species. Plus, there's something magical about reeling up a fish through a hole in the ice - it never gets old!
Species You'll Want to Hook
Atlantic Salmon: These powerful fighters are a prized catch through the ice. Lake George's landlocked salmon typically range from 2-5 pounds, with some topping 8 pounds. They love to chase flashy lures jigged near the bottom of the water column. Salmon fishing is often best in the early morning, so our 8 AM start time is perfect for targeting these silver bullets.
Smallmouth Bass: While many anglers associate bass with warm weather, Lake George's smallies are active year-round. Ice fishing for smallmouth can be incredibly fun, as they often hit hard and fight all the way to the hole. Look for them near rocky structure in 15-30 feet of water. A small jig tipped with a minnow is often the ticket.
Lake Trout: The true giants of Lake George, lake trout can reach over 20 pounds here. These deep-water predators cruise the lake's cold depths, often hanging out in 50-100 feet of water. We'll use specialized techniques to target them, including large jigging spoons and live bait on tip-ups. Landing a big laker through the ice is an unforgettable experience - they pull like freight trains!
Time to Book Your Spot
Our 4-hour ice fishing charters on Lake George offer a unique winter adventure you won't soon forget. With all gear provided and expert guidance, it's the perfect way to try ice fishing or hone your skills. Remember, we can only take 4 guests per trip, so book early to secure your spot. The fish are biting, and the ice is calling - let's get out there and make some memories!
Learn more about the species
Atlantic Salmon
Lake trout are the big boys of the char family, often hitting 15-40 pounds and stretching 2-3 feet long. They're cold-water fish, so you'll find them deep in Lake George where it's nice and chilly. These guys are slow growers but can live a long time. Winter's prime time for lakers. They'll come up shallower when the water's cold, making them easier to target through the ice. Look for them suspended over deep basins or near underwater structures. Folks love catching lake trout because they put up a great fight and taste delicious. The meat is firm and flavorful - perfect for smoking or grilling. When you're jigging for lakers, try using lures that imitate wounded baitfish. A Rapala Jigging Rap or a paddle tail swimbait on a jig head works well. Remember, these fish don't like bright light, so overcast days can be your best bet. If you're not getting bites, try moving deeper - lakers will often hunker down in the cooler depths during summer.
Lake Trout
Lake trout are the heavyweights of Lake George, often tipping the scales at 15-40 pounds. These cold-water specialists prefer the deep, oxygen-rich parts of the lake where they can stay cool year-round. Winter's the prime season for lakers. They'll come up shallower when the lake freezes, making them easier to target through the ice. Look for them suspended over deep basins or near underwater humps. Anglers love the challenge of hooking into a big lake trout. They put up a strong, dogged fight and their firm, orange flesh is excellent for smoking or grilling. Jigging's the go-to method for these deep-dwellers. Try using lures that imitate wounded baitfish, like a Rapala Jigging Rap or a paddle tail swimbait on a jig head. Remember, lake trout aren't fans of bright light, so overcast days can be your best bet. Here's a local trick: If you're not getting bites, don't be afraid to go deep. In summer, lakers will often hunker down in the coolest water they can find, sometimes over 100 feet down.
Smallmouth Bass
Smallmouth bass are feisty fighters that typically run 2-6 pounds and 18-20 inches long. You'll find them in Lake George's clear, cool waters, especially around rocky bottoms and fallen trees. These bass are most active in spring and fall when they cruise the shallows. Come summer, they'll move deeper to stay cool. Early mornings and evenings are prime fishing times. Anglers love smallies for their acrobatic jumps and hard-fighting spirit. They're also tasty if you decide to keep a few for dinner. For the best luck, use light to medium spinning gear with 6-10 pound test line. Smallies will hit a variety of lures, but you can't go wrong with a weightless plastic worm or a small crankbait that mimics their favorite prey - crayfish and small fish. Here's a local tip: When the water's calm with a light breeze, try working a topwater lure near rocky points. The strikes can be explosive!
