02-29-2008, 07:10 PM
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<br />
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),<br />
Coventry Lake, East Twin Lake, Bantam (a surprise 19" brown trout), Highland Lake (21" brown trout),<br />
Black Pond (Woodstock)(broodstock brown among the catches), Hogback Reservoir, Mt. Tom Pond,<br />
Mohawk Pond, Lake Waramaug, Bigelow Pond, West Hill Pond (poor ice in spots) and West Side<br />
Pond.
NORTHERN PIKE fishing remains fair to good. Best reports are from Bantam (many fish up to 37"),<br />
Winchester Lake (good action on sub-legal fish), Pachaug Pond, and Wethersfield, Wrights and White<br />
Oaks Coves along the Connecticut River.
PANFISH continue to keep anglers busy. Jigging with grubs on your favorite lure and moving from place<br />
to place is the way to go. Locations to try include Bigelow Pond, Halls Pond, Bantam Lake (80 perch<br />
for 3 anglers), Coventry Lake, Highland Lake, Winchester Lake, Lake Waramaug (20 perch for one<br />
angler) and the coves on the Connecticut River.
WALLEYE - Good walleye action reported from Coventry Lake and Mashapaug Lake, with catches in<br />
the 17-19 inch range.
CHAIN PICKEREL - A traditional favorite of ice fishermen. Good to excellent pickerel fishing is<br />
reported from Winchester Lake, Coventry Lake, Alexander Lake, West Hill Pond, Bigelow Pond,<br />
Breakneck Pond, Quaddick Pond and Mt. Tom Pond.
LARGEMOUTH BASS - Catches reported from Crystal Lake (Ellington), Bantam Lake, Highland<br />
Lake, Winchester Lake, Lake Waramaug, Coventry Lake, Bigelow Pond, Halls Pond, Mt. Tom Pond<br />
and West Hill Pond.
SMELT fishing is reported to be slow at Colebrook Reservoir and Hogback Reservoir.
NOTICES:<br />
During the closure of the boat launch access at Gardner Lake (Salem) for renovations, temporary<br />
access for ice anglers is available from Lakeview Avenue. Anglers using the temporary access area<br />
are reminded to keep noise at a minimum, especially at night. There are several private residences<br />
in close proximity to this area.
good. Be aware that some water bodies continue to have only partial ice cover and ice thickness is<br />
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),<br />
Coventry Lake, East Twin Lake, Bantam (a surprise 19" brown trout), Highland Lake (21" brown trout),<br />
Black Pond (Woodstock)(broodstock brown among the catches), Hogback Reservoir, Mt. Tom Pond,<br />
Mohawk Pond, Lake Waramaug, Bigelow Pond, West Hill Pond (poor ice in spots) and West Side<br />
Pond.
NORTHERN PIKE fishing remains fair to good. Best reports are from Bantam (many fish up to 37"),<br />
Winchester Lake (good action on sub-legal fish), Pachaug Pond, and Wethersfield, Wrights and White<br />
Oaks Coves along the Connecticut River.
PANFISH continue to keep anglers busy. Jigging with grubs on your favorite lure and moving from place<br />
to place is the way to go. Locations to try include Bigelow Pond, Halls Pond, Bantam Lake (80 perch<br />
for 3 anglers), Coventry Lake, Highland Lake, Winchester Lake, Lake Waramaug (20 perch for one<br />
angler) and the coves on the Connecticut River.
WALLEYE - Good walleye action reported from Coventry Lake and Mashapaug Lake, with catches in<br />
the 17-19 inch range.
CHAIN PICKEREL - A traditional favorite of ice fishermen. Good to excellent pickerel fishing is<br />
reported from Winchester Lake, Coventry Lake, Alexander Lake, West Hill Pond, Bigelow Pond,<br />
Breakneck Pond, Quaddick Pond and Mt. Tom Pond.
LARGEMOUTH BASS - Catches reported from Crystal Lake (Ellington), Bantam Lake, Highland<br />
Lake, Winchester Lake, Lake Waramaug, Coventry Lake, Bigelow Pond, Halls Pond, Mt. Tom Pond<br />
and West Hill Pond.
SMELT fishing is reported to be slow at Colebrook Reservoir and Hogback Reservoir.
NOTICES:<br />
During the closure of the boat launch access at Gardner Lake (Salem) for renovations, temporary<br />
access for ice anglers is available from Lakeview Avenue. Anglers using the temporary access area<br />
are reminded to keep noise at a minimum, especially at night. There are several private residences<br />
in close proximity to this area.