The ice progresses toward the east and the channel as the winter wears on. Occasionally in the early Spring large freighters move out of the Metro Machine dock and break the ice as they move, causing unsafe ice conditions at the east end of the Bay. The most popular location for ice fishing is at the head of the Bay and in Misery Bay and Horseshoe Pond. Most anglers who ice fish the head of the Bay enter from Presque Isle State Park. Many park either in the Beach One parking lot, or in the first two parking lots along the Bay side of the park.
Most ice fishing is for pan fish, especially perch.
Popular methods are to use a tip-up or a small ice fishing pole. Minnows, grubs and small jigs are popular. Some anglers will target northern pike while ice fishing. Common baits for pike are large minnows or small suckers. Occasionally a surprised angler will hook a steelhead through the ice.