Guided Ice Fishing Trips
4, 6, 8 & 12 Hour Guided Ice Fishing Tours in the Adirondacks including but not limited to; Great Sacandaga Lake, Saratoga Lake, Minerva Lake, Saranac Lake, Adirondack Lake & Lewey Lake.
Catch Trophy Northern Pike, Walleye, Smallmouth & Largemouth Bass, Perch, Bluegill & Crappie
PRICING
3-Hour: $350*
4-Hour: $400*
6-Hour: $500*
8-Hour: $600*
10-Hour: $700*
*Pricing includes 2 anglers - $50 per additional angler - No Max
Card transaction and platform fees apply to all online credit card payments. If this is a dealbreaker, please contact Aaron for alternative payment options.
What We Offer:
Where We Fish
Location will vary depending on recent fish activity, ice safety and which species you would like to target
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Our team of guides are on the ice everyday checking ice conditions and locating fish all over the Adirondacks. If you’re unsure where to fish you can select this option when you book and we will bring you to where there is the safest Ice and the fishing bite is the best! Some of the lakes are listed below but there are more than what is listed. These lake are bursting with Yellow Perch, Bass, Pickerel, Pike and Black Crappie!
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The very best ice fishing Great Sacandaga Lake has to offer is its southerly tributary called Mayfield Lake. We jig up endless amounts of Perch & Bluegill and set tip ups out for Smallmouth & Largemouth Bass & Pike. When the fishing gets slow, we jump in the Snowdog and chase huge schools of Crappie all over the lake. Trust me, this is blast to fish.
Nearest address; 110 Pump House Rd, Mayfield, NY 12117
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This small, Adirondack gem has quite the population of Northern Pike, Crappie, Largemouth Bass & Perch. Some of our 100 fishing days have come from this lake and it certainly will not disappoint you! It offers that wilderness experience without the hike or remoteness that other lakes offer. A great option for kids or even the advanced angler.
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Located in the Town of Indian Lake, Adirondack Lake offers beautiful mountain views with Great Largemouth Bass fishing. There is large Pike in the lake and aton of Yellow Perch making for a fun, action packed day!
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Saratoga Lake is a fish factory! Only 35 minutes from Albany, this well known lake is bursting with good sized Perch, Bass, Crappie, Pickerel and even the occasional Giant Pike! Though it may not offer that Adirondack Wilderness experience, it will also produce fish and leave you feeling like a pro fisherman by the end of the day! Perfect for kids, first time ice fisherman or someone just looking for great bite without driving far.
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Located one hour north of Great Sacandaga Lake, Lewey Lake provides one of the most beautiful, pristine Adirondack experiences to ice fish. It offers great Yellow Perch fishing and has Pike both big and small along with smallmouth bass making for a fun relaxing day. This Adirondack oasis never disappoints and is one of Captain Aarons personal favorites to ice fish. Due to its northerly location, ice thickness is always safe and it hardly ever gets fished so we will most likely have the lake to ourselves. A great place for a newer ice fisherman, theres always fish to be caught here.
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Nestled 2 hours north of Great Sacandaga and Albany, is the Mecca of pristine, remote Adirondack beauty. Middle Saranac Lake boasts high populations of Northern Pike, Perch and Bass. Surrounded by mountains, and not a soul in sight, there might not be a better place to ice fish in the Northeast than this place. A personal favorite of Captain Aarons and anyone who comes, this is a great place for a youngster to start where theres more fish action to entertain.
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Great Sacandaga Lake is a beautiful lake in the lower Adirondacks offering trophy Pike opportunities. Famous for for holding the USA record Northern Pike, we use giant bait and risk it all going for a monster. These trips are very high risk, high reward meaning many times we go home without a fish altogether. However, when we do get one, most times its a really big Pike ranging from 38”-45”. Typically, ice fishing Sacandaga is for the more advanced ice fisherman.
If you want to fish Great Sacandaga but just want to catch fish and aren’t as concerned about catching a big pike, we recommend you select fishing Mayfield Lake which is a tributary on the south end of Sacandaga.
There are over 10 meeting locations that we have access to and use on Great Sacandaga Lake. Reets Bayside Marina, Broadalbin State Boat Launch and Wallys Driftwood Park to name a few.
What To Bring
All tackle & Equipment is INCLUDED This includes tip-ups, rods, reels, bait, Auger, Sonar, heater, chairs, floor mats, Eskimo shanty & a Snowdog snowmobile with sleds.
Please wear; Warm snow pants, winter jacket, winter boots, hats, gloves, hand warmers or anything else you think will keep you warm. (Ice cleat attachments will be available for use)
Please Bring; Lunch, snacks & drinks. (Alcohol is permitted in moderation)
A valid NYS Fishing License for anyone 16 years of age and older. License purchase link: https://decals.east.licensing.app/
What does a Day of Ice Fishing Include?
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Captain Aaron Gaza
A Fully Licensed Guide to Help All Day
Whether it’s transporting you out on the ice, setting up the shanty, drilling the holes, or putting the bait on the hook, your guide will do all the “leg-work” for you to enjoy a relaxing day catching fish. -
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Snowdog Snowmobile
Just Hop in a Sled and RIDE
With the ability to pull 4 sleds, our guests show up to the parking lot, jump in a sled and get pulled out to the shanty in a joy-filled ride! This is the most favorite part of the day for many and it sure beats walking out to the camp on the ice.
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A Warm Shanty!
The Eskimo Outbreak 650XD
We offer multiple tents to accommodate unlimited guests however our main tent, the insulated Eskimo Outbreak 650XD is toasty warm and is great to fish out of. Captain Aaron sets up the tent & Mr Buddy Heater before each trip on the ice for a comfortable and relaxing day out of the elements. -
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10" ION Electric Augur
No more Hand Drill!
With the ability to drill over 100 holes, the ION 10” Electric Augur makes for quick, effortless drilling all day. We even allow our customers to use it and have a backup in the truck just in case! -
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Garmin Livescope 10.2"
The Latest Technology right on the ICE!
Watch the fish on the big screen on our Garmin Livescope unit. This ultra interactive screen allows for everyone to see the fish in real-time come up to your bait or swim by. A fan favorite for kids and adults alike! -
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ALL RODS, REELS, TIP-UPS & BAIT
There is Not a Single Piece of Tackle Missing!
Whether its rods, reels, tip-ups, bait, hooks, line, chairs or whatever tackle is needed we provide it! We provide some of the top brands in the industry and bring it all for you to use to catch fish! ALL YOU NEED TO BRING IS A NYS FISHING LICENSE, WARM SNOWPANTS, JACKET, GLOVES AND A HAT, A SNACK OR LUNCH WITH WATER OR DRINKS AND WE WILL TAKE CARE OF THE REST!
What to Expect on Your Ice Fishing Trip
When you book an ice fishing trip with Aaron’s Guide Service, you’re getting more than just a day on the ice — you’re joining a trip that’s been carefully prepared long before you arrive. Captain Aaron spends weeks & days ahead of time scouting the lakes, checking ice safety conditions and locating fish for the best possible catch.
Before Your Trip
In the weeks & days leading up to your trip, Aaron is out on the ice drilling holes, checking ice thickness, and marking productive fish areas. You can choose what lake you’d prefer to fish or you can lean on Captain Aarons experience to bring you to the lake that fits your fishing needs best. Some winters or times during the winter we are forced to fish where the ice is safest and where the bite is the best.
You’ll receive an updated confirmation with your meeting location and start time, along with any weather or ice updates typically several days if not weeks prior to the trip. Sometimes we change the meeting location on the lake or sometimes have to switch lakes as close as 24 hours to the trip.
Please show up dressed for the conditions — insulated boots with good traction, warm layers, gloves, and a hat are important.
Don’t forget to buy your NYS fishing license for anyone 16 or older.
All fishing gear is provided — rods, reels, bait, tip-ups, sonar units, and heated shelters — but if you have a favorite rod or lure, feel free to bring it along.
Getting to the Shack on the Ice
When you arrive at the meeting spot on the shore, I’ll meet you there and take you out to the setup with my Snowdog snowmobile and sled. It’s a quick and fun ride across the ice to a warm shanty that’s ready to fish the moment you step inside.
On the Ice
We offer a variety of different styles of ice fishing and fish types to target. We set tip ups with live bait and dead bait, and wait patiently for them to go off. We also offer tip up + jigging combo trips where we set up tip ups and then go off and jig as well. Below you will see what lakes we can offer these different styles.
When you sign up for Adirondack lakes such as Lewey Lake, Saranac Lake, Minerva Lake or Adirondack Lake, we typically get a steady bite of Yellow Perch, Black Crappie, Largemouth & Smallmouth Bass, Pickerel and occasionally a Northern Pike! We set up tip ups with live bait and then also jig with rods in the tent and also out and around the lake. If you want to fish the Great Sacandaga Lake, we recommend you select its southern tributary called Mayfield Lake. This offers the best fishing on Great Sacandaga Lake.
We do offer guided Exclusive Trophy Pike trips on the Great Sacandaga Lake however they are very slow-paced, where we set up tip-ups with giant bait and then simply wait with the chance at a true giant. This kind of trip is very high risk with a high reward. This means there is a chance that we will go home without a fish but if we do get one, it most likely is between 35”-45”. Please only select this trip if you’re experienced in Pike fishing and are looking to break your personal best Pike record and are ok with going home empty handed. (Obviously our goal is to get you on a giant Pike)
For Northern Pike on Great Sacandaga Lake, I require catch and release only to keep the fishery healthy. I’ll help with photos and make sure the fish is handled properly before it’s released. For all other lakes, you can keep all other fish if in season and I can filet them up right on the ice for an additional $25.
After the Trip
At the end of the trip, we’ll take photos, go over what worked best, and ride back to shore on the Snowdog.
If you enjoyed the trip, leaving a review or tagging Aaron’s Guide Service online is always appreciated and helps others find the same experience.
Additional Notes
Trips may be rescheduled or moved to a location further north if ice conditions aren’t safe.
Bring snacks, water, and something warm to drink.
Alcohol is permitted in moderation, but excessive drinking can end a trip early.
Frequently Asked Ice Fishing Questions
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Captain Aaron’s top priority is ice safety. We always check or have someone check the ice prior to the trip. If there is any hint of weak or unsafe ice, the trip will be moved to another lake or canceled. A minimum of 4” for walking and 6” for snowmobiles is our requirement. Each lake freezes differently so just because one lake isn’t safe doesnt mean other isn’t as well. Alot of times if a lake is wind protected, it can have 10-20 inches of safe ice where as a lake that gets slammed with wind can even have open water.
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We moninter the forecast very closely and will be in contact with you days prior to the trip. We will either move to a different lake where theres less wind or weather wont be as aggressive or we can reschedule the trip. We do like to fish through snow and clouds as that provides the best bite but heavy snow storms where car travel isn’t safe will deem the trip unsafe to go ahead with.
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We love to teach first time ice fisherman! We highly recommend you let us know you’ve never been Ice fishing and select the “Wherever there’s safe ice and the fish are biting best” option so Captain Aaron can put you on the best possible lake for a great first experience. A Trophy Pike trip is typically not recommended for first time ice fisherman, larger groups or younger children.
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Since Great Sacandaga is a trophy Pike lake, meaning there aren’t a-lot of pike. but when you do get them they are usually huge. We highly recommend selecting Minerva Lake, Saranac Lake or Lewey Lake where there are higher populations of Pike resulting in more action throughout the day.
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Absolutely! We do ask that you let us know so we can pick a lake with ample parking and safe enough ice to hold snowmobiles and trailers.
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Dress warm, like really warm. Don’t show up in sneakers and sweatpants. Snowpants, waterproof insulated boots are a must. Hand warmers, facemasks are all a must. We have a really warm tent that you can always warm up in but its cold on the ice.
Otherwise, bring food, drinks (alcohol is permitted in responsible quantities). Other than that, we provide everything else.
A valid NYS Fishing License.
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While you are more than welcome to bring you own gear, it is essential to have the right set ups, line weight and leader selection. We recommend you rely on the guide service to provide everything.
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Yes! Please visit our “Places to Stay” section of our website for hotels & houses around the Adirondacks as well as on Great Sacandaga Lake
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Our new booking software allows you to pay your deposits and final payment right online with a credit or debit card. While we do accept cash or check, paying your invoice online is preferred. We also accept, Venmo, Cashapp, Zelle and Paypal to avoid card transaction fees.
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In order to book a trip we require a $100 deposit. Final Payment is due at completion of trip.
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While the deposit is 50% refundable we are happy to transfer it in full to another day if cancellation is needed. Exceptions to the 50% refundable policy are if the captain deems the weather conditions unsafe (Lightning greater than 50% chance forecasted), High Winds (30+ MPH).
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While a tip is never required, it is always appreciated, specifically when the captain goes overtime to get a big fish and when a big fish is caught. Tips range from $50-200 or 15%-20% of the trip. Tips are used toward gas, tackle, insurances, maintenance Snowdog, trailer and truck, website and marina fees to name a few expenses.
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Our guide service policy is that due to the low populations of Northern Pike on Great Sacandaga Lake, they must be released (only exception is if the fish somehow dies on us (very rare)). We allow the keeping of 2 fish per person and they can be filleted for an additonal $25.
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We do not provide lunch, so please pack food and drinks accordingly.
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Yes, if you are 16 years of age or older, you’re required to purchase a NYS fishing license. Even if you aren’t fishing, and maybe helping your kids and you touch the rod, you’re required a fishing license. If you’re on the ice and not fishing you need a license regardless.
Link to purchase license: https://decals.east.licensing.app/
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Yes, Aarons Guide Service LLC is a fully insured guide service for both the open water and ice. Captain Aaron is a fully licensed NYS Guide (#6164) and Public Vessel/Joint Engineer Licensed Guide. Captain Aaron is also certified in First Aid and CPR with First Aid available on the ice and on the boat.