While the calendar finally reads March, the weather across Connecticut and Rhode Island remains much more like early February. A steady pattern of arctic air with little precipitation has brought ice measurements up to and over 20 inches in many spots, getting ice fishermen to count their blessings and continue to hit the hardwater.

Rhode Island Fishing Report

Ice totals across central Rhode Island are reaching levels that have not been seen in recent memory and the fishing across the state seems to have taken a step in the right direction this week.

Reports of the elusive Rhode Island northern pike have finally improved this week as a couple hefty specimens have hit the ice. While most anglers are not eager to divulge their hot spots, Wordens Pond and Stump Pond are both solid locations to start your hunt. As is usually the case this time of year, big dead baits fished close to the bottom under tip-ups provide the best chance at landing a gator.

Not only is Wordens Pond a great body of water to target pike, it has also provided great multi-species action this week. A group of three anglers fishing the pond over the weekend reported over 40 flags, with bass, calico, pickerel and perch hitting the ice.

Small local ponds continue to be popular among ice fishermen searching for largemouth bass as they are seeing less pressure than the larger, better known bodies of water.

According to Steve Mckenna at Quaker Lane Bait and Tackle in North Kingstown, a few anglers scratched the open-water itch despite the cold temperatures, and the striped bass cooperated in upper Narragansett Bay. Numbers of fish weren’t excellent but some larger “keeper-sized” bass came out to play this week.

All was quiet on the cod fishing front this week as tough conditions limited the number of times the boats left the dock, but with some better weather forecasted for the upcoming days, the fleets will likely be sailing through the weekend. The sailing schedules of both The Frances Fleet and The Island Current are available on their respective websites for those interested in making a trip this weekend.

Connecticut Fishing Report

Ice fishing is still in full swing across Connecticut and some good fish are coming from points at all ends of the state.

Andrew, at Fishin’ Factory 3 in Middletown, continues to have customers reporting good catches statewide. The Connecticut River coves remain locked solid and the jigging for panfish has been as hot as ever. Pike fishing has been on the slow side in the river but most of the fish being landed have been thick, as they are beginning to stage up for the spawn. A few anglers have also cashed in on a strong walleye bite in the few bodies of water that have remained open for the species. Largemouth bass fishing has been very good just about everywhere with reports of fish up to nearly 8 pounds hitting the ice this week.

With Bantam Lake and Mansfield Hollow closing to pike fishing at the end of February, many anglers have tried their luck at Lake Winchester and Pachaug Pond. Both locations have given up some nice pike to anglers who were willing to wait for that one flag a day.

TC Marine Bait and Tackle in Shelton reported that anglers continue to have multi-species success along the impoundments of the Housatonic River. Jig fishermen have reported great catches of yellow perch and calicoes in both Lake Lillinonah and Lake Zoar, with a few nice northern pike and largemouth bass in the mix at Lillinonah. Despite being tidal, the coves of the lower Housatonic have also continued to hold good ice and have been home to a lot of ice fishermen targeting white perch and bluegill.

Candlewood Lake may have been one of the last bodies of water to freeze this season but it is now holding as much ice as just about anywhere in the state. The Valley Angler in Danbury reports that the favorable ice conditions has brought hoards of anglers to the lake, and while reports have slowed a bit, smallmouth bass in the 3- to 4-pound range along with slab yellow perch still remain very common.

Best Bets for the Weekend

The winter remains in full force across Connecticut and Rhode Island and the large amounts of ice are keeping just about every ice-fishing option open. With some warmer days finally forecasted, this weekend will likely provide some of the most comfortable and productive days on the ice all season.