Winter anglers have plenty of places to drop a line
By Deborah Jeanne Sergeant
Ice fishing is a popular winter activity in New York for good reason. The state’s waterways offer during winter a wide variety of fish species, including yellow perch, northern pike, walleye, lake trout, brown trout, Atlantic salmon, and black crappie, among others, according to the New York Department of Conservation (DEC).
If you enjoy (or want to try) ice fishing, you won’t have to go far to find a good spot.
Central New York
• Fair Haven Beach State Park (14985 State Park Road, Fair Haven, https://parks.ny.gov/visit/state-parks/fair-haven-beach-state-park)
• Delta Lake State Park (8797 State Rte. 46, Rome, https://parks.ny.gov/visit/state-parks/delta-lake-state-park)
• North and South Sandy Pond (Doreen Drive, Sandy Creek, https://dec.ny.gov/places/north-and-south-sandy-ponds)
• Oneida Lake (numerous points of access, https://dec.ny.gov/places/oneida-lake-madison-onondaga-oswego-and-oneida)
Finger Lakes
• Cayuga Lake State Park (2678 Lower Lake Road., Seneca Falls, https://parks.ny.gov/visit/state-parks/cayuga-lake-state-park)
• Seneca Lake (numerous points of access, https://dec.ny.gov/places/seneca-lake)
Thousand Islands
• Keewaydin State Park (45165, NYS Route. 12, Alexandria Bay, https://parks.ny.gov/visit/state-parks/keewaydin-state-park)
Western New York
• Beaver Island State Park (2136 West Oakfield Road, Grand Island, https://parks.ny.gov/visit/state-parks/beaver-island-state-park)
How Thick Should Be the Ice
For a detailed list on ice fishing spots based upon region, visit https://dec.ny.gov/things-to-do/freshwater-fishing/ice-fishing. Many other bodies of water can be good places to ice fish. To ensure ice fishing is permitted on a particular body of water, consult the DEC’s fishing regulations at https://dec.ny.gov/things-to-do/freshwater-fishing/regulations. Before leaving, review all the regulations and plan to follow them.
For safety’s sake, avoid thin ice. Check weather forecasts. The DEC recommends a minimum of three to four inches of new, clear ice on non-running waters for foot traffic; 5 inches for a snowmobile or ATV and 8 to 12 inches for a car or small pickup and 12 to 15 inches for a medium-sized truck. For white ice, double the numbers to reduce risk of falling through. Keep in mind that if it is thick enough in one spot, it may not be as thick in other places such as near the shore or a dock.
Always fish with a friend and let people know where you are going and when you expect to return. Dress for the weather with a silk or synthetic moisture-wicking first layer (not cotton), insulative layers and a moisture and windproof top layer; hat and gloves; and boots with crampons. Bring along snacks and non alcoholic beverages. Plan to take with you anything you bring with you to keep public spaces clean.