Muskellunge, frequently referred to as the "fish of 10,000 casts," is widely considered the most difficult and elusive fish to target through the ice. Trying to convince these solitary, toothy apex predators to strike a stationary bait under thick ice without the benefit of casting and retrieving over wide water areas requires immense patience, specialized heavy-duty equipment, and precise localization over deep structures. Other notoriously challenging species include large, deep-dwelling lake trout and finicky winter steelhead, which test an angler's endurance and technical skill in sub-zero environments.