Grand Traverse Bay Fully Frozen, a Rare Sight Since 2019

Ice fishermen have not drilled a hole into the ice of Grand Traverse Bay since 2019. Fishermen are now back on the ice since it is fully frozen for the first time in six years.

Ice Fishing Grand Traverse Bay

When there is ice on Grand Traverse Bay, fishermen from the area and abroad gather for two main reasons, whitefish and perch. The bay also offers good fishing for cisco and lake trout, but you know how Michiganders love their whitefish and perch.

Grand Traverse Bay is considered a premier location for ice fishing when safe ice forms (usually Feb-Mar), with popular, safer spots in the shallower, protected bays. Safe ice is important because the bay can get up to 620 feet.

Read More: Ugly Fish Becomes Favorite of Michigan Anglers

Both East and West Grand Traverse Bays provide opportunities for winter anglers. If you are after those yellow perch, you will want to fish the East Bay near Acme/Yuba. If you're after whitefish and cisco you will want to focus on the deeper water of West Bay near Bryant park. If you are after burbot, save yourself a trip to Lake Superior and hit up Grand Traverse Bay.

Grand Traverse Bay Frozen Over for the First Time Since 2019

Grand Traverse Bay is gorgeous in the summer and many anglers get out to fish, but the bay is much more of a fishermen's draw when its covered with ice.

According to The Watershed Center Grand Traverse Bay’s Facebook page, Grand Traverse Bay is considered frozen when a continuous sheet of ice spans West Bay from Traverse City to Power Island.

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Records of Grand Traverse Bay freezing span 175 years and show that the bay is freezing less frequently and remaining frozen for fewer days. The most recent freeze occurred in 2019 and lasted just 49 days. With the colder conditions so far in 2026, there is a strong chance the bay could remain frozen longer than 49 days.

👇BELOW: Sunken Pinto in Grand Traverse Bay👇