ICE FISHING REPORT NUMBER 1
1/6/2010
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. Currently, some northwest locations have up to 10 inches of ice, while several lakes in the southern part of the state are still showing open water. Please check the ice carefully before venturing out and check repeatedly to make sure that ice thickness is sufficient. Always let someone know where you are going and when you’ll return.
ICE FISHING REPORT
A good beginning to winter has really jump started ice fishing in Connecticut, providing an extensive list of active species and productive locations. Winter camaraderie on the ice is in full swing, with fishing and cooking dominating the day as friends get together and socialize. It’s also a great time to introduce children to the sport.
TROUT - Good reports from Mohawk Pond, Mt. Tom Pond, Gardner Lake, Day Pond (Colchester) and Candlewood Lake (many browns in the 3-4 lb range).
WALLEYE – Anglers have been having good luck at Mashapaug Lake, Gardner Lake (fish up to 25 inches) and Coventry Lake.
NORTHERN PIKE - Fishing early ice for these monsters has been excellent with many fish being caught. Best reports are from Quaddick Reservoir, Mansfield Hollow Reservoir (a 22 lb plus pike among the catches here), Bantam Lake (many fish, up to 40 inches), Winchester Lake, Pachaug Pond (22.6 lb pike) and many Connecticut River coves (some 30 inch plus fish among the catches) are producing well.
PANFISH - Panfish are being caught in good numbers, with diligent early risers having especially good success between the hours of 6:00 am and 9:00 am. Jigging with corn/grubs on your favorite lure and moving from place to place is the way to go for these delicious fish. Locations for panfish include Wethersfield Cove, Mansfield Hollow Reservoir, Candlewood Lake, Beseck Lake, Tyler Lake, Silver Lake, Bantam Lake, Black Pond (Middlefield), Black Pond (Woodstock), Halls Pond, West Side Pond, Stillwater Pond, Bishop Pond and Park Pond.
LARGEMOUTH BASS - Bass are being found at Wethersfield Cove, Lake Wintergreen, Candlewood Lake, Ball Pond, Squantz Pond, Gardner Lake, Silver Lake (Berlin), Kenosia Lake, Millers Pond, Beseck Lake, Halls Pond, Bishop Pond, Brandford Supply Pond, Mt. Tom Pond and Stillwater Pond.
NOTICES
The road to White Oaks Cove is posted “No Ice Fishing” by the owners. This area is private property and is not open to the general public.
2010 DEP Ice Fishing Report Number 1, 1/6/2010
TIPS & TRICKS – NORTHERN PIKE IN THE WINTER
Pike are aggressive predators and will take almost anything you offer them, including ice transducers.
Most people use "tip-ups" when ice fishing for northern pike, although jigging will work also.
Northern pike tend to be loners, and are found anywhere in the water column. Fishing 1-4 feet just below the ice is a good place to start.
Use large, sharp hooks and big bait. Many anglers use dead bait on the bottom.
Northern pike are toothy-creatures so if you want to actually land (ice) one, you will need a steel leader on the end of your ice fishing line.
Watch those teeth if you actually land one. Those teeth can rip your hand up pretty bad and there are germs and bacteria in the saliva that can cause quite an infection.
Sometimes the northern pike will just tug at your line...just a little. Play it out. Be careful that you have the right line and make sure that you have your drag set correct.
Pike like weedy and sheltered habitats. You will find them around fallen trees, beaver dams and anywhere they can find cover. The pike likes to ambush its prey and uses underwater structures for camouflage. The pike will hammer its prey by blindsiding it from behind or the side.
DEP ICE FISHING REPORT
CONNECTICUT DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION
79 Elm Street, Hartford, CT 06106
www.ct.gov/dep
1/6/2010
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. Currently, some northwest locations have up to 10 inches of ice, while several lakes in the southern part of the state are still showing open water. Please check the ice carefully before venturing out and check repeatedly to make sure that ice thickness is sufficient. Always let someone know where you are going and when you’ll return.
ICE FISHING REPORT
A good beginning to winter has really jump started ice fishing in Connecticut, providing an extensive list of active species and productive locations. Winter camaraderie on the ice is in full swing, with fishing and cooking dominating the day as friends get together and socialize. It’s also a great time to introduce children to the sport.
TROUT - Good reports from Mohawk Pond, Mt. Tom Pond, Gardner Lake, Day Pond (Colchester) and Candlewood Lake (many browns in the 3-4 lb range).
WALLEYE – Anglers have been having good luck at Mashapaug Lake, Gardner Lake (fish up to 25 inches) and Coventry Lake.
NORTHERN PIKE - Fishing early ice for these monsters has been excellent with many fish being caught. Best reports are from Quaddick Reservoir, Mansfield Hollow Reservoir (a 22 lb plus pike among the catches here), Bantam Lake (many fish, up to 40 inches), Winchester Lake, Pachaug Pond (22.6 lb pike) and many Connecticut River coves (some 30 inch plus fish among the catches) are producing well.
PANFISH - Panfish are being caught in good numbers, with diligent early risers having especially good success between the hours of 6:00 am and 9:00 am. Jigging with corn/grubs on your favorite lure and moving from place to place is the way to go for these delicious fish. Locations for panfish include Wethersfield Cove, Mansfield Hollow Reservoir, Candlewood Lake, Beseck Lake, Tyler Lake, Silver Lake, Bantam Lake, Black Pond (Middlefield), Black Pond (Woodstock), Halls Pond, West Side Pond, Stillwater Pond, Bishop Pond and Park Pond.
LARGEMOUTH BASS - Bass are being found at Wethersfield Cove, Lake Wintergreen, Candlewood Lake, Ball Pond, Squantz Pond, Gardner Lake, Silver Lake (Berlin), Kenosia Lake, Millers Pond, Beseck Lake, Halls Pond, Bishop Pond, Brandford Supply Pond, Mt. Tom Pond and Stillwater Pond.
NOTICES
The road to White Oaks Cove is posted “No Ice Fishing” by the owners. This area is private property and is not open to the general public.
2010 DEP Ice Fishing Report Number 1, 1/6/2010
TIPS & TRICKS – NORTHERN PIKE IN THE WINTER
Pike are aggressive predators and will take almost anything you offer them, including ice transducers.
Most people use "tip-ups" when ice fishing for northern pike, although jigging will work also.
Northern pike tend to be loners, and are found anywhere in the water column. Fishing 1-4 feet just below the ice is a good place to start.
Use large, sharp hooks and big bait. Many anglers use dead bait on the bottom.
Northern pike are toothy-creatures so if you want to actually land (ice) one, you will need a steel leader on the end of your ice fishing line.
Watch those teeth if you actually land one. Those teeth can rip your hand up pretty bad and there are germs and bacteria in the saliva that can cause quite an infection.
Sometimes the northern pike will just tug at your line...just a little. Play it out. Be careful that you have the right line and make sure that you have your drag set correct.
Pike like weedy and sheltered habitats. You will find them around fallen trees, beaver dams and anywhere they can find cover. The pike likes to ambush its prey and uses underwater structures for camouflage. The pike will hammer its prey by blindsiding it from behind or the side.
DEP ICE FISHING REPORT
CONNECTICUT DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION
79 Elm Street, Hartford, CT 06106
www.ct.gov/dep