First Ice 2010-2011

[John Sheehan]

What Jim Gronaw is talking  possible safe ice in South East PA before Christmas.!!?

Last Year Jan 5th was my first trip out ice fishing .Would love for it to be earlier this year .The gear is ready!! When the deep open water of the Monksville reservoir ices over by the Dam then I know it's definately safe on  the small shallow lakes I like to start the season at.

[Jim Gronaw]

Hey John...it's true! Just got a hold of a couple baitshops and there is safe 4" of ice in some areas of Shephard-Myers Dam, near Hanover and at Pinchot Lake hear Dillsburg. They are getting crappie and gills at SM and bass and pickerel at Pinchot. Projected temperatures for the next 10 days indicate that daytime highs will be near freezing with lows around 20..so it should slowly make, not lose ice during that time. Still, we will be cautious and always check.

[John Sheehan]

Got my 2011 fishing license already and the gears set so I'm ready when the ice is!Hopefully definately by NewYears Day.

[John Sheehan]

The Northwest corner of the Monksville reservoir has had  a few ice fisherman going at it .The SW section by the dam is open. I think I'll wait a bit . I'll be there soon enough I've waited this long . I 'm thinking before the years out I may be on the ice!!

[John Sheehan]

Couldn't resist .Drilled 6 holes and fished three jigging rods on the Nw section of the Monksville Reservoir ...I was the only one on the ice . Saw two guys there earlier today.Nothin'.

[Jim Gronaw]

That a boy, John! Be the first in your neighborhood to catch a slab through the ice this season! You'll get em!

[John Sheehan]

Ice is about 3&1/2-4"Cupsaw produced four gills7-8"Males ,one hen,  and three small yellows through two holes today at midday. Fished about 1&1/2 hrs.Wet snow at the the beginning of the blizzard drove me off the ice and leaving them hitting. No slabs but the gills and perch were sweet to see again coming up through the hole! The were on bottom or just above at about 12-15'

[Howard Webster]

Hi Guys been a while .   Some of the protected bays of champlain have become safe to fish.   Went out Friday and caught a few perch and one bluegill which is a first for me.   Made it back out today and caught a few more perch.  These are not my favorite places to fish but they are safe which is important.   about 6 inches of ice

[John Sheehan]

Howard what'd those Perch hit ?I didn't use tipups today, just jigging rods .Chartruese Genz worm and chartruese Teardrop tipped with mealworms or Power Maggotts took all 8 released fish.

 

Windy ,cold and freezing snow ,a bit tough to say the least.Didnt stay long but found the fish with my first hole.

[John Sheehan]

There is now 19" of snow on the ice, more where the drifts built up . Don't know when safe ice will be next.Glad i got in a little yesterday before this blizzard.

[Howard Webster]

so far we have been missed just very high wind

[Howard Webster]

We used spikes minnows Hali jigs swedish pimples and Babitts they were fussy

[John Sheehan]

1/1/2011..Vernon Valley Lake with Greg...6-10' 8"-1'6"off bottom
10 fish 2LM,15" and 13 ",3CR 12,"9",10",5 GILLS (four 8"one 5") OR.Genz worm,Chartruese ,orange teardrops/Mealworms or Gulp Maggots ..Rattlin' Flyer spoon took two Cr small gill