Although spring is just three weeks away, winter is still going strong with frigid temperatures and more snow to come. Ice fishing reports are doing alright and even with the super cold nights, we’ve had some warmer days here and there. You have to love this crazy New England weather! Anglers got out where they could, and some good largemouth were reported from Congamond, Candlewood, Ball pond, Pachaug pond, Waramaug, Coventry, Zoar and upper Moodus. Smallmouth reports were strong once again from Candlewood. Colebrook, Lillinonah and coves on the Connecticut River gave up some good bronzebacks too. Its seems the better quality and quantity of fish came on shiners. At this point in the season things have slowed a bit and if jigging is tough, bait usually does the trick.
Trout fishing is doing well with some great browns still coming from Squantz and Candlewood. Waramaug, Highland, Black pond and Mt. Tom were also productive for trout this past week. Both jigging and shiners are producing trout as they cruise around. There were some decent catfish pulled from Silver Lake and some fish up to 10 pounds from coves on the Connecticut River. Live or dead shiners fished near bottom are your ticket to icing Mr. Whiskers. Pike reports were slow again this week. Some decent fish came from Bantam, Lillinonah and coves along the Connecticut. Reports are going to continue to be slow for another few weeks. When we are headed towards ice out the bite will pick up again. Walleye reports were good from Beach, Mashapaug and Pocotopaug. A good number of fish were reported, but nothing too large. Great size fish for the table, though. Shiners fished near bottom and along structure/weedlines are a sure bet at dusk and into the night.
Panfish action is still hot at the usual places. Coves on the Connecticut and Housatonic rivers are excellent for white/yellow perch and crappie. Candlewood is still giving up that yellow perch gold and Lillinonah has been great as well. Crappie are coming from Hatch, Mamanasco, Long Meadow pond and Wethersfield cove. The edge of weed lines and downed trees are what you want to look for when searching for panfish. It is important to tip your jigs with either spikes or scented soft plastics like Maki plastics. Even dead-sticking it with a wriggling maggot on your jig can produce a strike. Get out there and have fun because the ice will be here for a little bit longer, tight lines!
NOTE: There are several bodies of water that close at the end of this month so be sure to know and follow the rules and regulations pertaining to each body of water that you wish to fish. It is mostly trout waters that close, but also Bantam lake is closed for pike fishing as of 3/1.