Ice fishing basics

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This may be your year for ice fishing

(The following information was provided by the state Department of Environmental Conservation.)

Anglers in New York state can stay busy all winter by targeting some of their favorite fish species through the ice.

If you’ve never been ice fishing before and would like to test the waters — learn how to ice fish. It’s a safe and fun activity during the coronavirus pandemic. For an overview of ice fishing, visit online at https://www.dec.ny.gov/outdoor/119684.html.

Popular species

While most freshwater fish can be caught through the ice, only certain species are in season through the winter. Some popular species to target through the ice in New York are yellow perch, northern pike, walleye, lake trout, brown trout, Atlantic landlocked salmon and black crappie.

Ice fishing regulations

Ice fishing is permitted on many waters in New York state, but not all. View fishing regulations online at https://www.dec.ny.gov/outdoor/31416.html.

Ice shanties

Ice shanties must be marked on the outside with the owner’s name and address in letters at least 3 inches high. Shanties must be removed from all waters by March 15 to prevent them from falling through the ice and becoming hazards to navigation.

Baitfish

Baitfish are commonly used when ice fishing. Make sure your baitfish are certified disease free when you purchase them. Never dump unused baitfish or water from your bait bucket into a lake or pond. Undesirable aquatic invasive species might be mixed in with your bait or bait water. View New York baitfish regulations at https://www.dec.ny.gov/outdoor/47282.html.

Ice safety

Safe ice should be your number one consideration when ice fishing. A minimum of three to four inches of solid ice is the general rule for safety. Ice thickness, however, is not uniform on any body of water. The guidelines presented here are based on new, clear ice on non-running waters. Since ice thickness can vary on a lake, check the ice periodically to stay safe.

Ice thickness/permissable load

¯ 2 inches or less — stay off ¯ 4 inches — ice fishing or other activities on foot ¯ 5 inches — snowmobile or ATV ¯ 8-12 inches — car or small pickup ¯ 12-15 inches — medium truck

Note: This guide is based on new, clear ice on nonrunning waters. Slush ice is about 50% weaker. Clear ice over running water is about 20% weaker. Double the recommendations for white ice. Many ice anglers do not like to fish on less than 5 inches of ice, and do not like to drive a pick-up truck on less than 15 inches of ice. Use common sense.

Be cautious in areas where “bubblers” are used to protect docks. They can produce thin, unsafe ice some distance away. Be especially alert in areas near shore, over moving bodies of water, and where streams enter and exit lakes and ponds.

Remember, use the buddy system while ice fishing — it saves lives.

Staff photo — Aaron Marbone

Nick Marrone, of Plattsburgh, shows off the 28inch salmon he pulled in at the Colby Classic in March 2022, the largest caught during the derby. He said the fish gave him a good fight, lasting around 20 minutes.

Where to ice fish

For locations to ice fish in the Adirondack region, visit the following pages on the DEC website:

Clinton County:

https://www.dec.ny.gov/outdoor/32337.html

Essex County:

https://www.dec.ny.gov/outdoor/32342.html

Franklin County:

https://www.dec.ny.gov/outdoor/32350.html

Hamilton County:

https://www.dec.ny.gov/outdoor/32354.html

Herkimer County:

https://www.dec.ny.gov/outdoor/119544.html

St. Lawrence County:

https://www.dec.ny.gov/outdoor/119552.html

Warren County:

https://www.dec.ny.gov/outdoor/32368.html

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