ICE FISHING REPORT NUMBER 2 1/12/2011
SAFETY REMINDER: DEP reminds winter anglers that SAFETY COMES FIRST! Be aware that ice thickness varies on all water bodies due to a number of environmental factors including in-lake water circulatory patterns, snow cover and the type and amounts of recent precipitation. Please check the ice carefully before venturing out and check repeatedly to make sure that ice thickness is sufficient. Local bait & tackle shops are often excellent resources for the most current information on ice conditions. Always let someone know where you are going and when you’ll return.
LICENSE FEE CREDITS
NOW AVAILABLE
During the 2010 session of the General Assembly, legislation was approved and signed into law in April reducing many of the fees for sportsmen’s licenses and permits. This was followed in June by legislation authorizing a credit to be applied against the fee for any 2011 sportsmen’s license, permit or tag when purchase of a license, permit or tag had been made at the higher prices in place between October 1, 2009 and April 14, 2010. The credit amount will be the difference between the higher amount paid during that time period and the amount set by the new fee structure established April 14, 2010.
For information about these credits, please visit the DEP website license fees and credits page: www.ct.gov/dep/sportsmensfeereduction
SHARE THE EXPERIENCE
TTTa
Anglers are enjoying a great start to the ice fishing season. Fishing, cooking and socializing are all traditionally associated with this winter sport. It’s a great time to introduce children to fishing and the outdoors.
TROUT - Last week’s best fish reported was a 3 lb, 24 inch brown. Among the places to try for trout are Mohawk Pond, West Hill Pond, Black Pond (Middlefield), Mashapaug Lake, Bigelow Pond (jigging), Crystal Lake, Mt. Tom Pond, East Twin Lake and Highland Lake.
NORTHERN PIKE – Fishing for these monsters has been excellent with many fish being caught in shallow water on large bait near the edges. Northern Pike are ambush predators so target areas of cover. Best reports are from Mansfield Hollow Reservoir, Bantam Lake, Pachaug Pond, Beseck Lake, Quaddick Reservoir and the coves along the Connecticut River. This week’s best report was a 34 inch pike (caught-and-released).
WALLEYE – Good reports from Gardner Lake, Coventry Lake (plenty of catches in the 12-17 inch range) and Mashapaug Lake. No reports from Squantz Pond this week.
LARGEMOUTH/SMALLMOUTH BASS- Bass are being found at Quaddick Reservoir, Beseck Lake, Highland Lake, West Twin Lake, Silver Lake, Ball Pond and Jurovaty Pond. A 6 lb bass showed up for a lucky angler over the weekend.
PANFISH - Plenty of action for these delicious fish. Early morning jigging with grubs on your favorite lure (and moving from place to place) is the way to go. Areas to try include Bigelow Pond, Coventry Lake (45 yellow perch for one angler), Hayward Lake, Jurovaty Pond, West Thompson Reservoir, Quaddick Reservoir, West Hill Pond, Long Pond, Pachaug Pond, Beseck Lake, West Twin Lake,
Colebrook Reservoir, Peck Pond, Red Cedar Lake, Beach Pond, Roseland Lake, Lake Lillinonah, Lake Zoar and Wethersfield Cove.
CHAIN PICKEREL – Excellent fishing for this traditional winter favorite reported at West Twin Lake, West Hill Pond, Tyler Lake, Black Pond (Middlefield), Beseck Lake, Silver Lake, Bigelow Pond, Dog Pond, Hayward Lake and Wyassup Lake. Catches last week ranged up to 27 inches.
TIPS & TRICKS – TROUT
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In lakes, deep-water trout feed best during the day. Shallow water trout feed best during dusk and dawn.
��
Most deep-water trout are caught on tip-ups, but you need a lot of line on the spool. In early season, the fish will be at mid-depth. Late in the season trout move shallow.
��
Set up along the edge of underwater shelves and creek channels to give yourself the best chance. There should be baitfish in the area and the trout will move in for the kill when the light is still dim. Make sure you align your holes to varying depths along the shelf and prepare yourself for some action.
Brown Trout
��
Browns tend to stay near shore areas that have warmer water in the winter months where bait fish are.
��
Warm water entering into an area where the rest of the water is cold acts like a magnet to attract fish.
��
They are always more active at first light and last light of the day.
��
Heavy overcast days afford some of the best opportunities for lunkers
��
Much depends on what the browns feed on in your lake.
��
Browns are meat eaters so try live bait or bait strips.
��
The fish feed shallow real early, 5-10 feet, then move to 20-50 feet down after the sun gets on the water.
Rainbow Trout
��
Rainbows tend to be shallow water orientated - less than 15 feet of water.
��
Use light line, fluorocarbon if you have it.
��
Small hooks, # 14 or smaller.
��
Small minnows, wax worms, and dried meal worms work well.
��
Early morning hot bite, mid day usually is nothing, late afternoon towards evening a few stragglers here and there. Most aggressive bite towards dusk if any bite.
The Department of Environmental Protection is an affirmative action/equal opportunity employer and service provider. In conformance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, DEP makes every effort to provide equally effective services for persons with disabilities. Individuals with disabilities who need this information in an alternative format, to allow them to benefit and/or participate in the agency’s programs and services, should call 860-424-3051 or 860-418-5937 or e-mail Marcia Bonitto, ADA Coordinator, at Marcia.Bonitto@CT.Gov. Persons who are hearing impaired should call the State of Connecticut relay number 711.
DEP ICE FISHING REPORT
CONNECTICUT DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION
79 Elm Street, Hartford, CT 06106
www.ct.gov/dep
SAFETY REMINDER: DEP reminds winter anglers that SAFETY COMES FIRST! Be aware that ice thickness varies on all water bodies due to a number of environmental factors including in-lake water circulatory patterns, snow cover and the type and amounts of recent precipitation. Please check the ice carefully before venturing out and check repeatedly to make sure that ice thickness is sufficient. Local bait & tackle shops are often excellent resources for the most current information on ice conditions. Always let someone know where you are going and when you’ll return.
LICENSE FEE CREDITS
NOW AVAILABLE
During the 2010 session of the General Assembly, legislation was approved and signed into law in April reducing many of the fees for sportsmen’s licenses and permits. This was followed in June by legislation authorizing a credit to be applied against the fee for any 2011 sportsmen’s license, permit or tag when purchase of a license, permit or tag had been made at the higher prices in place between October 1, 2009 and April 14, 2010. The credit amount will be the difference between the higher amount paid during that time period and the amount set by the new fee structure established April 14, 2010.
For information about these credits, please visit the DEP website license fees and credits page: www.ct.gov/dep/sportsmensfeereduction
SHARE THE EXPERIENCE
TTTa
Anglers are enjoying a great start to the ice fishing season. Fishing, cooking and socializing are all traditionally associated with this winter sport. It’s a great time to introduce children to fishing and the outdoors.
TROUT - Last week’s best fish reported was a 3 lb, 24 inch brown. Among the places to try for trout are Mohawk Pond, West Hill Pond, Black Pond (Middlefield), Mashapaug Lake, Bigelow Pond (jigging), Crystal Lake, Mt. Tom Pond, East Twin Lake and Highland Lake.
NORTHERN PIKE – Fishing for these monsters has been excellent with many fish being caught in shallow water on large bait near the edges. Northern Pike are ambush predators so target areas of cover. Best reports are from Mansfield Hollow Reservoir, Bantam Lake, Pachaug Pond, Beseck Lake, Quaddick Reservoir and the coves along the Connecticut River. This week’s best report was a 34 inch pike (caught-and-released).
WALLEYE – Good reports from Gardner Lake, Coventry Lake (plenty of catches in the 12-17 inch range) and Mashapaug Lake. No reports from Squantz Pond this week.
LARGEMOUTH/SMALLMOUTH BASS- Bass are being found at Quaddick Reservoir, Beseck Lake, Highland Lake, West Twin Lake, Silver Lake, Ball Pond and Jurovaty Pond. A 6 lb bass showed up for a lucky angler over the weekend.
PANFISH - Plenty of action for these delicious fish. Early morning jigging with grubs on your favorite lure (and moving from place to place) is the way to go. Areas to try include Bigelow Pond, Coventry Lake (45 yellow perch for one angler), Hayward Lake, Jurovaty Pond, West Thompson Reservoir, Quaddick Reservoir, West Hill Pond, Long Pond, Pachaug Pond, Beseck Lake, West Twin Lake,
Colebrook Reservoir, Peck Pond, Red Cedar Lake, Beach Pond, Roseland Lake, Lake Lillinonah, Lake Zoar and Wethersfield Cove.
CHAIN PICKEREL – Excellent fishing for this traditional winter favorite reported at West Twin Lake, West Hill Pond, Tyler Lake, Black Pond (Middlefield), Beseck Lake, Silver Lake, Bigelow Pond, Dog Pond, Hayward Lake and Wyassup Lake. Catches last week ranged up to 27 inches.
TIPS & TRICKS – TROUT
��
In lakes, deep-water trout feed best during the day. Shallow water trout feed best during dusk and dawn.
��
Most deep-water trout are caught on tip-ups, but you need a lot of line on the spool. In early season, the fish will be at mid-depth. Late in the season trout move shallow.
��
Set up along the edge of underwater shelves and creek channels to give yourself the best chance. There should be baitfish in the area and the trout will move in for the kill when the light is still dim. Make sure you align your holes to varying depths along the shelf and prepare yourself for some action.
Brown Trout
��
Browns tend to stay near shore areas that have warmer water in the winter months where bait fish are.
��
Warm water entering into an area where the rest of the water is cold acts like a magnet to attract fish.
��
They are always more active at first light and last light of the day.
��
Heavy overcast days afford some of the best opportunities for lunkers
��
Much depends on what the browns feed on in your lake.
��
Browns are meat eaters so try live bait or bait strips.
��
The fish feed shallow real early, 5-10 feet, then move to 20-50 feet down after the sun gets on the water.
Rainbow Trout
��
Rainbows tend to be shallow water orientated - less than 15 feet of water.
��
Use light line, fluorocarbon if you have it.
��
Small hooks, # 14 or smaller.
��
Small minnows, wax worms, and dried meal worms work well.
��
Early morning hot bite, mid day usually is nothing, late afternoon towards evening a few stragglers here and there. Most aggressive bite towards dusk if any bite.
The Department of Environmental Protection is an affirmative action/equal opportunity employer and service provider. In conformance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, DEP makes every effort to provide equally effective services for persons with disabilities. Individuals with disabilities who need this information in an alternative format, to allow them to benefit and/or participate in the agency’s programs and services, should call 860-424-3051 or 860-418-5937 or e-mail Marcia Bonitto, ADA Coordinator, at Marcia.Bonitto@CT.Gov. Persons who are hearing impaired should call the State of Connecticut relay number 711.
DEP ICE FISHING REPORT
CONNECTICUT DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION
79 Elm Street, Hartford, CT 06106
www.ct.gov/dep