ICE FISHING REPORT NUMBER 2
1/14/2010
DEP’S ANNUAL FAMILY ICE FISHING DERBY IS SCHEDULED FOR SATURDAY,
JANUARY, 30TH, 8 am to 11 am at the Lodge & Senior Center at
Patriot’s Park on Coventry Lake (Lake Wangumbaug), Lake Street,
Coventry. Spend a morning outdoors in the fresh air with family
and friends, having fun and for those new to ice fishing, getting
an introduction to the sport. There’s also still time to
attend an ice fishing class prior to the derby, check the class
schedules on our web site (www.ct.gov/dep/fishing). Call 860-424-3474
for more information.
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. Always let someone
know where you are going and when you’ll return.
ICE FISHING REPORT
WALLEYE -
Recent memorable catches include a 13 lb beauty and a number
of fish in the 25-30 inch range. Reports from Mashapaug Lake
(the 13 lb walleye was found here, along with a 9 pounder), Gardner
Lake, Coventry Lake, Beach Pond and Bigelow Pond.
NORTHERN PIKE -
Fishing for these monsters has been excellent. Recent notable
catches include 18 lb, 16 lb, 40 inch and 37 inch northern pike
(all caught, measured and released). Northern pike are ambush
predators so target areas of cover (near-shore shallow water
on large bait). Best reports are from Mansfield Hollow Reservoir,
Bantam Lake, Pachaug Pond, Winchester Lake and the coves along
the Connecticut River.
TROUT - Trout up to 4 lbs are being caught. Good locations to target
trout at include Candlewood Lake, West Hill Pond, Mohawk Pond,
Black Pond (Middlefield) black Pond (Woodstock), Mashapaug Lake,
Crystal Lake, Mount Tom Pond, Beach Pond, Long Pond, East Twin
Lake and Highland Lake.
CHAIN
PICKEREL - Fishing for this traditional ice fishing
favorite has been good to excellent at many locations throughout
the state, including Highland Lake, Halls Pond, Gardner Lake, Candlewood
Lake, Beseck Lake, Silver Lake (Berlin), Birges Pond, Dog Pond,
Wood Creek Pond, Pachaug Pond, Quaddick Reservoir, Black Pond (Middlefield),
Hayward Lake, Highland Lake, Tyler Lake, Black Pond (Woodstock),
West Hill Pond and Bigelow Pond.
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 Highland Lake, Halls Pond,
West Thompson Reservoir, Beseck Lake, Bishops Pond, Upper Bolton
Lake, Millers Pond, Bantam Lake, Kenosia Lake, Breakneck Pond,
Morey Pond, Red Cedar Lake, Horse Pond, Bashan Lake, Quaddick
Reservoir, Messerschmidt Pond, West Hill Pond, Black Pond (Middlefield),
Candlewood Lake (lots of jumbo yellow perch), Coventry Lake and
Silver Lake (Berlin).
LARGEMOUTH
BASS/ SMALLMOUTH - Bass are being found
at Quaddick Reservoir, Black Pond (Woodstock), Bigelow Pond, Crystal
Lake, Halls Pond, Mashapaug Lake, Beseck Lake, Wethersfield Cove,
Birges Pond, Winchester Lake, Colebrook Reservoir, Morey Pond,
Kenosia Lake, Breakneck Pond, Rogers Lake, Silver Lake (Berlin),
Highland Lake and Candlewood Lake.
NOTICES:
Anglers fishing MASHAPAUG LAKE are reminded that Ferry Tavern Road
and the roads (including Howard Road) from Mashapaug Road in Union
that lead to the lake are private ways with no public access. Avoid
trespassing, please do not drive in, park on, or walk down these
roads to access Mashapaug Lake. Legal access to the lake is only
through Bigelow Hollow State Park and Nipmuck State Forest.
TIPS & TRICKS – TROUT
In lakes, deep-water trout feed best during the day, presumably
when they can see the best. 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.
When ice fishing, keep in mind that trout have a very good sense
of smell. Powerbait is an effective attractant to help lure them
in. The same can be said for a number of other artificial baits
if the maggots aren’t working.
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.
Rainbow Trout
This fish has a very good sense of smell. In
fact if you compare it to the human, the rainbow trout has a sense
of smell 400 times more sensitive. They use this strongly adapted
sense to help identify prey, structure and spawning locations.
The rainbow prefers water
that is open and fast moving but is at home in both lakes and rivers.
The fish frequent waters between zero and twenty five degrees Celsius,
with the ideal temperature in lakes at about 18 degrees Celsius.
They can also be found at a variety of depths depending on oxygen
levels in the lake.
Brook Trout
As a rule they run shallow and close to shore.
Fish from 20-60 feet from shore (typically closer to 20 feet).
For regulation updates, please check our web site www.ct.gov/dep/fishing.
DEP WEEKLY FISHING REPORT
CONNECTICUT DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION
79 Elm Street, Hartford, CT 06106
