Stripers Through the Ice?

In several tidal rivers in New England, including the Mystic River, the Providence River, and the Thames, Connecticut and Housatonic, striped bass that don’t migrate south seek refuge and become what anglers call “holdover” stripers. (see video: Holdover Stripers in Boston Harbor)

In the Connecticut River, where striped bass will often move far into fresh water coves that freeze solid enough for ice fishing, there’s the potential to connect with a striper through the ice—but it doesn’t happen very often.

With the “polar vortex” delivering several arctic blasts to the Northeast this winter, there has been more ice cover than usual and anglers like Patrick Sullivan from Glastonbury, Connecticut have been taking advantage. On a recent outing to a Connecticut River cove, Patrick was pulling in some nice crappie and perch when, on his last flag of the day, a 29-inch striper took the bait. Patrick landed the “keeper” striper after a 15-minute fight—his second striper through the ice this year.

Have you ever caught a striped bass while ice fishing? Share your stories below and your photos on our Facebook page.