"Moronic" Fishing for a Maine Icon | OTW Podcast Ep. 73

Jimmy Fee, Alex Blackwell, and Matt Haeffner sit down to talk about the “moronic sport” of ice fishing as they recount stories from hardwater-seasons past.

By OTW StaffFebruary 5, 2026

OTW Podcast #73: Coolest Fish Through the Ice

Alex with a stunning Maine brook trout from his trip in Early January.

In The Episode

With even the saltwaters freezing in the Northeast, it’s prime time to break out the augers and tip-ups. In this episode, Jimmy Fee, Alex Blackwell, and Matt Haeffner talk about the “moronic sport” of ice fishing. Alex recounts a recent trip to Maine targeting 4- and 5-pound brook trout through the ice; Matt Haeffner talks about his wet and cold first step into ice fishing; and, exhibiting an extreme case of cabin fever, Jimmy relates jigging through the ice to running-and-gunning for tuna.

• Ice Fishing for Smallmouth Bass
• Ice Fishing for White Perch in New England
• Follow These 10 Ice Fishing Safety Tips

Presented by Raymarine: Earn Your Strikes

Supported by:

ICE FISHING FOR LAKE TROUT IN SEBAGO LAKE

OTW Staff

The On The Water staff is made up of experienced anglers from across the Northeast who fish local waters year-round. The team brings firsthand, on-the-water experience and regional knowledge to coverage of Northeast fisheries, techniques, seasonal patterns, regulations, and conservation.