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01/24/2018 11:00 PMLittle by little, the days are getting longer. Our winter season has been playing hopscotch, transitioning from frigid temperatures to periodic thaws and back again, affecting ice fishers throughout the state. Thick, solid ice has tittered back and forth from dulling auger blades one day to slush and even open water a few days later. We seem to be getting a touch of contrasting weather conditions—and it’s only January!
With these fluctuations, ice fishers have been in a quandary when experiencing an array of hard, soft, and open water. A few of these sportsters have been spotted venturing out on dangerous ice, apparently not considering the consequences. When one spars with Mother Nature, more often than not, one loses.
However, with a little effort, much safer ice can be found, often tucked away in the hills. It might require a little more trekking than one is used to, but the rewards can easily offset the extra effort. First, fishing pressure is reduced, thereby resulting in better catches. Second, with less competition on the ice, there are fewer disturbances to both fish and fisher. Third, holes can be spread out at varying depths more effectively, even though these locations are generally not very deep. Finally, if you enjoy being outdoors, the surroundings will be gratifying in and of themselves. For safety’s sake, just make sure you bring along a buddy.
So, here we are surrounded by birches, evergreens, and a rich mix of other trees in their wintry cloaks. At the far end, a small beaver dam hugged what probably held back running water and is now reduced to a trickle. Since beaver are not fish eaters, there are no concerns of predation by them in this small body of water.
After punching a few test holes and feeling satisfied that the ice was safe, a few tip-ups were set up with a handful of jigging holes. The ice was about eight inches thick—more than enough to hold a couple of fishers and their gear. This morning had little to no wind, temperatures were in the mid-20s, and the coffee hit the spot.
It didn’t take long for a flag to flip. It was the first of several and, based on the fish hooked, we were optimistic with the size of the holes drilled. At any rate, the action was good enough so that a few of the tip-ups were retired in favor of jigging time. This indiscernible body of hard water ultimately did not produce a bragger, but nevertheless, the fish caught (bass, perch, pickerel, and bluegill) kept us busy and the landscape was noteworthy.
On the Water
The latest storm that was forecast turned out to be a dud—at least along the shoreline. Hardly any snow fell and the snow that did melted quickly with the help of light rain and warm temperatures. As the weekend approached, air temps rose to the mid-40s. A couple of sun-filled days were followed by a mix of partly sunny ones, a bit more rain, and then back to milder weather. All the while, air temps held in the 40s.
There was some loosening of ice jams as the weather flip-flopped. At times, they began to flow more freely in both the major and minor tidal rivers. Nevertheless, they locked up again prior to the recent warm spell. Traveling by Goodspeed in Haddam, one could really feel the impact as the river responded to the cold. Water levels were high and large chunks of ice were jam-packed, elevating fears of flooding. Even the Coast Guard’s ice cutters experienced difficulty since the Connecticut River refused to give way.
Around the same time, Jane Minaeva and Frank Patrick of Madison heard and recorded an evening pack of howling coyotes by the East River. During the week, deer also came out searching and were scouring open patches of wetlands. Sea ducks were seen bobbing in open water close by, while the call of geese could be heard from above. Winter sure was rearing its New England head.
In less-frozen waters, schools of Atlantic herring were in close proximity to several harbors along the Sound. That tempted the marine fishers to break out their rigs. Fishing for broodstock Atlantic salmon has been variable, mostly based on weather conditions. Away from the shore and during our second thaw, many small lakes and ponds shed ice where thickness whittled down to tentative conditions, before building back up. Soon after, though, it pared down once again.
With a favorable forecast in the offing, ice fishers were anxious to get back out and punch some holes. The new moon phase, rising barometer, and less wind pointed to much improved conditions. That’s exactly what transpired as catches of white perch, yellow perch, black crappie, aggressive pickerel, and largemouth bass were widespread. A few of the stocked lakes gave up trout and salmon, while the much sought-after northern pike did peg some rulers at 28- to 30 inches. However, walleye made most fishers work for their catches.
Note: Email us pics of your catches to share with our USA and international fishing friends who keep up with the latest fishing news and frequent social media.
For all things fishy including bait, swing by the shop (203-245-8665) open seven days located at 21 Boston Post Road, Madison. Until next time from your Connecticut shoreline’s full-service fishing outfitter, where we don’t make the fisherman, we make the fisherman better...
Tight Lines,
Captain Morgan
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