02-03-2008, 04:50 PM
ICE FISHING REPORT NUMBER 3 1/31/2008
SAFETY REMINDER: DEP reminds winter anglers that SAFETY COMES FIRST! Be aware that ice
thickness varies on all water bodies due to a number of environmental factors including in-lake water
circulatory patterns, snow cover and the type and amounts of recent precipitation. Please check the ice
carefully before venturing out and check repeatedly to make sure that ice thickness is sufficient. Always
let someone know where you are going and when you’ll return.
ICE FISHING REPORT
Ice fishing in Connecticut is well underway in many areas, and fishing is generally reported as fair to
good. Be aware that some water bodies continue to have only partial ice cover and ice thickness is
marginal at a number of other areas. All waters should be treated with caution.
TROUT - Catches reported from Crystal Lake (Ellington, 24” brown trout, and also an Atlantic salmon),
Coventry Lake, East Twin Lake, Bantam (a surprise 19” brown trout), Highland Lake (21” brown trout),
Black Pond (Woodstock)(broodstock brown among the catches), Hogback Reservoir, Mt. Tom Pond,
Mohawk Pond, Lake Waramaug, Bigelow Pond, West Hill Pond (poor ice in spots) and West Side
Pond.
NORTHERN PIKE fishing remains fair to good. Best reports are from Bantam (many fish up to 37”),
Winchester Lake (good action on sub-legal fish), Pachaug Pond, and Wethersfield, Wrights and White
Oaks Coves along the Connecticut River.
PANFISH continue to keep anglers busy. Jigging with grubs on your favorite lure and moving from place
to place is the way to go. Locations to try include Bigelow Pond, Halls Pond, Bantam Lake (80 perch
for 3 anglers), Coventry Lake, Highland Lake, Winchester Lake, Lake Waramaug (20 perch for one
angler) and the coves on the Connecticut River.
WALLEYE - Good walleye action reported from Coventry Lake and Mashapaug Lake, with catches in
the 17-19 inch range.
CHAIN PICKEREL – A traditional favorite of ice fishermen. Good to excellent pickerel fishing is
reported from Winchester Lake, Coventry Lake, Alexander Lake, West Hill Pond, Bigelow Pond,
Breakneck Pond, Quaddick Pond and Mt. Tom Pond.
LARGEMOUTH BASS – Catches reported from Crystal Lake (Ellington), Bantam Lake, Highland
Lake, Winchester Lake, Lake Waramaug, Coventry Lake, Bigelow Pond, Halls Pond, Mt. Tom Pond
and West Hill Pond.
SMELT fishing is reported to be slow at Colebrook Reservoir and Hogback Reservoir.
NOTICES:
During the closure of the boat launch access at Gardner Lake (Salem) for renovations, temporary
access for ice anglers is available from Lakeview Avenue. Anglers using the temporary access area
are reminded to keep noise at a minimum, especially at night. There are several private residences
in close proximity to this area.
DEP WEEKLY FISHING REPORT
CONNECTICUT DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION
79 Elm Street, Hartford, CT 06106
[signature]
SAFETY REMINDER: DEP reminds winter anglers that SAFETY COMES FIRST! Be aware that ice
thickness varies on all water bodies due to a number of environmental factors including in-lake water
circulatory patterns, snow cover and the type and amounts of recent precipitation. Please check the ice
carefully before venturing out and check repeatedly to make sure that ice thickness is sufficient. Always
let someone know where you are going and when you’ll return.
ICE FISHING REPORT
Ice fishing in Connecticut is well underway in many areas, and fishing is generally reported as fair to
good. Be aware that some water bodies continue to have only partial ice cover and ice thickness is
marginal at a number of other areas. All waters should be treated with caution.
TROUT - Catches reported from Crystal Lake (Ellington, 24” brown trout, and also an Atlantic salmon),
Coventry Lake, East Twin Lake, Bantam (a surprise 19” brown trout), Highland Lake (21” brown trout),
Black Pond (Woodstock)(broodstock brown among the catches), Hogback Reservoir, Mt. Tom Pond,
Mohawk Pond, Lake Waramaug, Bigelow Pond, West Hill Pond (poor ice in spots) and West Side
Pond.
NORTHERN PIKE fishing remains fair to good. Best reports are from Bantam (many fish up to 37”),
Winchester Lake (good action on sub-legal fish), Pachaug Pond, and Wethersfield, Wrights and White
Oaks Coves along the Connecticut River.
PANFISH continue to keep anglers busy. Jigging with grubs on your favorite lure and moving from place
to place is the way to go. Locations to try include Bigelow Pond, Halls Pond, Bantam Lake (80 perch
for 3 anglers), Coventry Lake, Highland Lake, Winchester Lake, Lake Waramaug (20 perch for one
angler) and the coves on the Connecticut River.
WALLEYE - Good walleye action reported from Coventry Lake and Mashapaug Lake, with catches in
the 17-19 inch range.
CHAIN PICKEREL – A traditional favorite of ice fishermen. Good to excellent pickerel fishing is
reported from Winchester Lake, Coventry Lake, Alexander Lake, West Hill Pond, Bigelow Pond,
Breakneck Pond, Quaddick Pond and Mt. Tom Pond.
LARGEMOUTH BASS – Catches reported from Crystal Lake (Ellington), Bantam Lake, Highland
Lake, Winchester Lake, Lake Waramaug, Coventry Lake, Bigelow Pond, Halls Pond, Mt. Tom Pond
and West Hill Pond.
SMELT fishing is reported to be slow at Colebrook Reservoir and Hogback Reservoir.
NOTICES:
During the closure of the boat launch access at Gardner Lake (Salem) for renovations, temporary
access for ice anglers is available from Lakeview Avenue. Anglers using the temporary access area
are reminded to keep noise at a minimum, especially at night. There are several private residences
in close proximity to this area.
DEP WEEKLY FISHING REPORT
CONNECTICUT DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION
79 Elm Street, Hartford, CT 06106
[signature]