Have you considered chasing Bluegill in New York?

[Nathan Krusko]

Silver Lake, Wyoming County, NY

Bluegill, Sunfish:

Within New York state there are many waters that have great fishing for these two but in Silver Lake this fishing can be shocking at times. This is one lake that if you
have not tried sight fishing, then you will be best starting the
adventure here. To fish these slabs it is good to roam the shallows
much like their predators, the pike. The lake has beds of milfoil in
both the north and south ends extending up and down both shores. This
milfoil is the main structure for the panfish and much of it stays
fishable all winter. Catching these fish can be done in as little as 3
feet of water out to 12 feet. To locate them begin drilling holes in
varied depths, looking for pockets within the milfoil beds, keeping in
mind that the best success will come form keeping your noise to a
minimum. Once you find one of these pockets, begin fishing your
presentation at the top of the weeds (which a time will be just feet
below the ice). Within a few minutes if there is no response to your
presentation, lower it down gradually until you reach the bottom. With
many hours of camera work I have found in this lake, and many others
these fish will rest within the dense weeds and roam the weed tops as
well. By lowering your presentation to the bottom you will be exposing
it to these fish that otherwise would of not seen it at the top of the
weeds. While fishing you will notice that the fish will inexplicably
shut off or disperse. This will be for good reason. There is another
predator that roams these shallows other than fishermen, this is the
northern pike. The excitement of this, is that there will come a time
you will be looking one of these toothy beauties in the eye just inches
below the ice. So with this, if you are really adventurous keep a rod
rigged and at the ready for just such an encounter.

[Mike Stacy]

I caught bream on a hand line in Central Park, when I was a kid on a field trip... and that's NY for me! Ice is scary... I see it creeping up on me, and I get plane tickets! But a major tip O' the hat to you... you know what you're doing, and you make it sound fun! I'd probably set myself on fire to get away from the cold, but I'm a wimp... Post video! I'll watch it in FL, when it's too hot outside to fish. Cheers!

I do miss yellow perch... they were some FINE eating...

[Jim Gronaw]

Not that sounds like just a really cool time....sight fishing thru the ice....never done it!

[John Sheehan]

Thanks very much Nathan . I will .The Pickerel I've caught in the past have hit shiners .I never have jigged one up yet .

[Nathan Krusko]

John Yes indeed it sure does apply. Take that same info and give it a try this season. I am quite certain you will see a larger catch rate.

[John Sheehan]

Thanks for this blog Nathan!Does the same info on Pike location under the ice apply to Pickerel?