Ice Fishing is On!
Happy New Year! It gives me great joy knowing that eager anglers are starting to ice fish on shallow bodies of water in the northern portions of Connecticut and Rhode Island. It appears there’s no need to go rushing on any thin ice just yet—with the deep freeze we’re in the midst of right now, more and safer options should be coming our way real soon. For those that get nauseous even at the thought of ice fishing, there are still open-water opportunities available from stream fishing for trout to winter cod fishing to holdover striped bass and herring in tidal rivers. So get your new license, stock up on hand-warmers and go land your first fish of 2013!
Rhode Island
Old Man Winter finally showed his face and is quickly making up for last year’s weak ice fishing season. The frigid nighttime temperatures lately have been locking up lakes and ponds across the state. Calling local tackle shops that carry ice equipment can help point you in the right direction on where to go, but the best advice for finding “safe ice” is to scout and check it yourself along with a trusted buddy. Be sure to test the ice with a spud bar and wear ice picks around your outer layer at all times. Bringing rope and a personal floatation device along are smart ideas as well.
For a starting point for fishable ice this weekend, look first at shallow ponds in higher elevations, preferably somewhat sheltered from wind. Steve at Quaker Lane Outfitters sold five dozen shiners to ice fishermen heading out Wednesday morning, so at least a few tight-lipped people are finding places in Rhode Island safe enough to walk on. Ray at Big Bear Bait and Tackle also has customers buying bait for ice fishing trips. By this weekend, more bodies of water should be ready to go depending on your comfort level. For more on ice fishing safety, check out the website of Minnesota’s Department of Natural Resources: http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/safety/ice/index.html.
In open water, Dave at River and Riptide said trout fishing in streams is still a good option for fly anglers, especially along the Wood River. He had a customer take a water temperature reading of 36 degrees on Wednesday, which usually translates to sluggish trout hugging bottom. The best way to get these lethargic fish to strike is going deep with weighted nymph patterns like size 12 and 14 prince nymphs and pheasant tails. Dave also noted that the access gates on the lower sections of the Wood River are closed below Rte. 165, so he said it will be easier to fish from the Deer Check Station on up.
As far as winter cod fishing, it’s been a tough go the last few weeks thanks to lousy sailing conditions, and when a short weather window appeared last Saturday, it was a picky bite on the grounds. Captain Chris of the Island Current reported that they covered water from 90 to 125 feet deep and the pool-winning cod was not overly large at 11-pounds. Troy of the Frances Fleet reported more of the same for Saturday’s trip; a calm morning, a windy afternoon and a tough bite overall with many shorts keeping anglers busy. Their pool-winning fish was a 10-pounder. The local head boats are trying their best to sail every day, but as always winter cod fishing is very weather dependent. Be sure to call the night before to make sure the next day’s trip is still on.
For a shore-based saltwater opportunity, Mike at Watch Hill Outfitters said there are some Atlantic herring (not to be confused with blueback herring or alewives) in the Pawcatuck River by the boat launch. A few large swirls have been seen, but no one has successfully landed any stripers feeding on them as of late. To catch the herring, try casting and slowly retrieving a Sabiki rig attached to a bank sinker for distance.
Connecticut
Connecticut seems to have more ice fishing options than Rhode Island at the moment thanks to its higher elevations in the northwest corner of the state. Blaine at Connecticut Outfitters is happy to have the shop buzzing again with ice fishermen scrambling to get their gear and bait supply in order. He said a few undisclosed bodies of water have already coughed up some impressive pike, bass and bluegill. Early-season ice fishing spots are kept close to the vest just like guarded surfcasting spots, so mum is the word on where exactly to go, but with a little leg work, it shouldn’t be too hard to find fishable areas this weekend. Start by calling your local tackle shops that sell ice gear or bait and they should have some leads for you. Or you can pack up the vehicle and take a scouting ride once the sun comes up to see where people are already ice fishing. As mentioned above, the utmost safety needs to be taken while ice fishing, especially early and late in the season. Hopefully this is just the start of a couple long months of hardwater fishing.
Holdover striped bass and fresh Atlantic herring are really the only tidal water options in Connecticut at the moment. Nick at Fisherman’s World said the striper fishing is still pretty good from shore in the Shelton and Derby area. Anglers are having luck with mostly schoolies using Daiwa SP Minnows and soft-plastic baits. Nick also added that the best bet for herring is in western Sound tidal rivers like in Norwalk behind the Maritime Aquarium. Try going during a high-outgoing tide with a Sabiki rig on a light tackle set up.
Another open-water option is river fishing for trout. Torrey at Housatonic River Outfitters said the Housatonic River has seen little traffic over the last couple weeks, yet has been fishing well for those braving the cold. He mentioned there have been some impressive trout caught on nymphs and slowly fished streamers. Scuds and egg flies have been hot nymphs, but also try stoneflies, princes, caddis larva, and midge larva/pupa. Water temps mostly in the 30s means you should focus on the softer, slow to medium speed pools and deeper runs. Torrey added that colder days combined with very cold nights can slush up the river and make it unfishable (especially in the mornings), but sunshine and/or milder daytime temps can melt it by lunchtime. Nymphing is usually the most productive method, but swung and slowly stripped streamers may produce less but bigger fish.
Fishing for Atlantic salmon in the Shetucket and Naugatuck Rivers remains semi productive. Jack at The Fish Connection said anglers swinging streamers and spoons are having luck in the Shetucket in downtown Baltic and at the Salt Rock Campground. To learn more about salmon regulations, click here: http://www.ct.gov/dep/cwp/view.asp?A=4173&Q=511870.
Fishing Forecast for the Weekend
“There’s ice in them thar hills!” Many hardwater fanatics will be spudding their way on to shallow lakes and ponds across Connecticut and Rhode Island this weekend. Do your homework, make some phone calls and head north if you are looking for “first ice” action. Live bait under tip-ups and small jigs tipped with any kind of grub is a surefire way to put some fish on the ice. Or drop down some big dead bait if you’re after that trophy toothy critter. Just remember to be patient and take it slow—safety is always number one. Good luck and enjoy it while it lasts!