Anyone ice fishing yet?

[Champlain Islander]

I was just wondering if anybody has ice yet? Northern Vermont should be starting in a week or two.

[CanWoodsman]

I'm quessing a week or two here also. But only if the below freezing temps. continue. Local lake is frooze over but not yet thick enough to go on.

Soon ??

[JFergus7]

I read an article in the local paper lastweek that a few guys were out in northern illinois fishing lastweek. I think that was a bit early. But we have hadsome extremely cold temps the last two weeks so it is about time. I went out and purchased a new pole this morning and plan on heading out next saturday!

[turkeyhunter_15]

Here in WI Waupaca Cty. I been out there about week n a 1/2.. Only caught 4 gills, 11 perch so far but stil workin on it...There was 3" when i was going out now theres 5-6 average a few 4" spots...Other then that been pretty good!

[VT_Hunter1980]

Champlain Islander, is the lake starting to freeze over in any of the bays yet? I know it usually takes longer to become safe than the smaller lakes.

[turkeyhunter_15]

Went out ice fishing today...Caught a few perch and I put one on tip up and got my first Tip Up...Was a 22" northen I was so exited
this is my first year Ice fishing

[Pat Curtis]

Went out last Fri/Sat/Sun here in NE Indiana. Some lakes have 5" of ice...others 2"..others none. Lake James was mostly open water. Lake Webster was about ½ covered. We brought home a couple dozen very nice 'gills. Fished 7' waters with heavy structure on the bottom.

OH! Was gonna buy a Gentz Vexilar last week...but saw a used FL-8 SLT for $125! Came with a protective case, 2 batteries, charger, and lens magnifier! What a steal!

[PikeTipper]

Great buy on the Vex for $125! I got out last weekend and caught a bunch of walleyes but all were pretty small. There was about 4-5" of ice in most areas. We've had really cold weather but do to an early snow that is insulating the ice it isn't growing very quickly.

[Champlain Islander]

ORIGINAL: VT_Hunter1980

Champlain Islander, is the lake starting to freeze over in any of the bays yet? I know it usually takes longer to become safe than the smaller lakes.

A few of the guys went to some of the smaller ponds today to check them out. I live on the broad lake in North Hero and all I have so far is steam coming off the water and slush at shore. The wind has been really strong out of the north and west and that has caused the main lake to stay open. I am a pan fisherman and will be checking some of the small bays just north of the house in the next 2 days. Tomorrow is tree day so Thurs will be my first day after the flat fish. I can almost taste that first hard water bull gill.

[VT_Hunter1980]

ORIGINAL: Champlain Islander

A few of the guys went to some of the smaller ponds today to check them out. I live on the broad lake in North Hero and all I have so far is steam coming off the water and slush at shore. The wind has been really strong out of the north and west and that has caused the main lake to stay open. I am a pan fisherman and will be checking some of the small bays just north of the house in the next 2 days. Tomorrow is tree day so Thurs will be my first day after the flat fish. I can almost taste that first hard water bull gill.

Sounds good.

I'm a trout fisherman myself, but I certainly don't turn up my nose when I land a perch. I'm living a little closer to lake Champlain this year, so I'm planning on giving that a try. I'm not entirely sure where to access the lake or even where to buy bait around here. I'm in Waterbury and ice fishing doesn't seem to be as big here as it was in the NEK.

I can't wait though. I actually enjoy hard water fishing more than open water.