The last of the Cape’s fishable ice washed away in Saturday’s rainstorm, and mild temperatures and more rain ate away at the remaining ice through Thursday. Tackle shops from around the Cape reported a slow week with barely anyone stopping in to give a report.

Even though the ice is gone (for now), the fish are still there, and most are just as likely to eat a live shiner under a bobber as they were to eat a live shiner suspended under a tip-up. In fact, these mid-winter warm-ups can provide excellent fishing. A couple years ago, a late January warm spell triggered every cast action for bass and pickerel in a small pond.

A few fishermen did get trout fishing this week. I ran into Dan from The Hook Up in Orleans at Cliff Pond last Sunday. You can read the full recap of that report here.

Best Bets for the Weekend

Go fishing. Too many fishermen are waiting for ice that may already be gone for the winter. Get a bucket of shiners, some size 2 hooks and a few bobbers and head for the nearest ice-free pond.

Looks like there is more snow and cold on the way next week, but there’s no telling if it will be enough to lock up the ponds. Don’t wait for ice to get out and enjoy some winter freshwater action.