Some Vermont lakes are now safe

January Can Bring Great Ice Fishing Opportunities

Vermont offers great ice fishing in lakes throughout the state, and the action normally is great beginning in mid-January, depending on the weather. At least six inches of solid ice is recommended for safe ice fishing.
Vermont’s premier fishing destination, Lake Champlain, offers many ice fishing opportunities. Ice anglers can find quality fishing for many species on this 120-mile long lake, including landlocked salmon, lake trout, northern pike, yellow perch, white perch, walleye, crappie, and smelt. There is no closed season for trout and salmon on Lake Champlain.
Vermont’s ice fishing season for trout, salmon and bass starts January 16 and continues through March 15 on 40 other large Vermont lakes.

Frabill Refuge Portable Ice Shanty

So, you think ice fishing is cold....not with a portable ice shanty and a Mr. Buddy heater that puts out 4000 to 9000 BTUs....The beauty of these shanties are they are highly mobile. We will be on fish!!

Lake St. Catherine

Last night, Lake St. Catherine (main lake) finally locked up with ice. By no means is it safe!!!Tonight the forecast is for ...very cold!!! This Wednesday, I plan to jig Bluegills in a tiny pond on my road. I have been crazy busy painting jigs, making reel weeds, tying scud nymphs and getting ready. We will be catching fish on scud nymphs, 24" rods with ultra light reels with 5X & 6X....please stay tuned.

Vermont Ice Fishing Lakes

The following is a list of lakes I ice fish and guide trips on:
Lake St. Catherine (the home lake, I live a mile from the state park), Bomoseen, Hortonia, Burr Pond, Chittenden Reservoir, and Emerald Lake. Its been 12 degrees all day and the forecast is for under 20 the rest of the week....Its making ice....please stay tuned. Some guys will fish on 3 or 4 inches....I wait for 6"...especially when guiding.

Vermont Ice fishing Target Species

While jigging for panfish tipups are set up for Bass and Pike

Bluegills on jigging rods with 2 lb test and micro-jigs are a ton of fun

A bucket of Yellow Perch....YUM!!!

ICE FISHING in Southern Vermont

Ice fishing will begin in a couple weeks. The little pond down the road will be fishable this weekend. The little lake on the south end of Lake St. Catherine is locked up as is the South Bay in Whitehall NY. Please be safe...I wait until we have 6 inches of ice. "Theres old and theres bold....but there isn't old and bold icefishermen"