Hey, Champlain Islander (ice fishing questions)

[VT_Hunter1980]

I'm planning a trip up to the islands this weekend and was wondering if you could point me in the right direction. I'm not all that particular about what I catch. I wouldn't mind jigging for panfish while I wait for something bigger to hit the tipups. Any advice? Thanks.

[DeerHunter000001]

Well the only advice i can give u as a amature ice fisher.Jig for a while and then check ur other lines make sure ur holes dont crust over because somtimes u wont see ur line go down....and be safe...Good luck

[Champlain Islander]

ORIGINAL: VT_Hunter1980

I'm planning a trip up to the islands this weekend and was wondering if you could point me in the right direction. I'm not all that particular about what I catch. I wouldn't mind jigging for panfish while I wait for something bigger to hit the tipups. Any advice? Thanks.

Hi there VT Hunter. It has been a really strange winter with good ice then it gets bad. If you want to fish tip ups and jig then I would suggest to try the sandbar area (south side). There are a lot of northern pike caught in the shallows and perch are usually there too. I have fished for perch at theIslands end and parked near the motel but better northern fishing will be had at the end closer to Burlington on the left (willow bay). Just North of North Hero is Carry Bay and people park at the spot known as Birdland. It is about 1 mile North of town along Route 2 and it is on the left. Good pike and sunnie fishing there. The perch are small unless you go out at least 1/2 mile from shore. I have had some really good catches of yellow oerch there in the deeper water this year. Another good bet is Pauquettes bay ( AKA Macomb bay). It is located just before the bridge going from North Hero to Alburgh. There is a motel that allows parking and lake access. I would suggest to get on the ice at the motel and go south 1/2 mile to that next bay. Lots of good pike fishing and it is one of my favorite places to catch sunnies and bluegills. There will be lots of people on the ice and most will be fishing for pan fish but there might be others fishing for pike. The next spot going North is Delenbac bay. Go past the motel I just mentioned, cross the bridge and go about 4 miles. The state boat access is on your right and the pike and pan fishing is good there too. The perch are small but there are crappie and sunnies there and most of the jigging will be for them. If you don't know what to use for them just ask any of the guys. Most of the pan fishermen love to share. I had a great day today near the sandbar area fishing far from shore for perch. I caught 177 pounds and 166 were largies. Tomorrow is my anniversary 36 great years so I won't be on the ice but look out on Wednesday because I'll be back. Good luck and welcome to the beautiful Champlain Islands....CI

[VT_Hunter1980]

ORIGINAL: Champlain Islander

Hi there VT Hunter. It has been a really strange winter with good ice then it gets bad. If you want to fish tip ups and jig then I would suggest to try the sandbar area (south side). There are a lot of northern pike caught in the shallows and perch are usually there too. I have fished for perch at theIslands end and parked near the motel but better northern fishing will be had at the end closer to Burlington on the left (willow bay). Just North of North Hero is Carry Bay and people park at the spot known as Birdland. It is about 1 mile North of town along Route 2 and it is on the left. Good pike and sunnie fishing there. The perch are small unless you go out at least 1/2 mile from shore. I have had some really good catches of yellow oerch there in the deeper water this year. Another good bet is Pauquettes bay ( AKA Macomb bay). It is located just before the bridge going from North Hero to Alburgh. There is a motel that allows parking and lake access. I would suggest to get on the ice at the motel and go south 1/2 mile to that next bay. Lots of good pike fishing and it is one of my favorite places to catch sunnies and bluegills. There will be lots of people on the ice and most will be fishing for pan fish but there might be others fishing for pike. The next spot going North is Delenbac bay. Go past the motel I just mentioned, cross the bridge and go about 4 miles. The state boat access is on your right and the pike and pan fishing is good there too. The perch are small but there are crappie and sunnies there and most of the jigging will be for them. If you don't know what to use for them just ask any of the guys. Most of the pan fishermen love to share. I had a great day today near the sandbar area fishing far from shore for perch. I caught 177 pounds and 166 were largies. Tomorrow is my anniversary 36 great years so I won't be on the ice but look out on Wednesday because I'll be back. Good luck and welcome to the beautiful Champlain Islands....CI

Thanks for the reply and congrads on the 36 years.

[Champlain Islander]

I just thought about a couple of other spots. On the north side of the sandbar at the islands end there is smelt, perch and salmon fishing with tip ups. They fish them right off the cliffs at the place called cowbanks. it is on the right at the end of the sandbar pretty close to shore. Another spot for salmon is a little further north on the south east side of keeler bay accessed at Hill Road in South Hero before you get into the village. they get perch, pike and salmon there. Good luck.