Global warming may be losing some ardent area fans of late with the recent blasts of Arctic air, snow and ice that have blanketed Long Island and the Northeast. But the resulting temperature declines have hastened the freezing of our area's Long Island's small lakes and ponds. That process will offer an opportunity for Long Islanders so inclined to engage in a bit of ice fishing. Even in the coldest of years there is limited opportunity for our fishable lakes and ponds to freeze substantially enough to allow for safe ice so the window of opportunity can be a small one, albeit with pleasurable rewards.
The most common Long Island species caught through the ice are yellow perch, crappie, sunfish, walleye, pickerel, bass and trout. Expect to find those fish close to the bottom. You can use either a portable depth finder or a weighted line to determine depth. Many of the fish tend to congregate together in the winter months and most will be found near some type of cover or structure. This can be in the vicinity of where you might find a summertime weed line, an offshore elevation such as a hump, a point of land that juts out into the lake, or places where the depth drops off either gradually or precipitously. It pays to try a number of locations, much as you would do during the regular fishing seasons.
Considering the scaled-down rods and reels, smaller artificial lures are used such as jigs or spoons, and live bait cannot be beat for cold weather angling.
Basically ice fishing involves the use of an auger to drill an opening or multiple openings into the ice through which one will fish. Abbreviated rods and a device referred to as tip-up have replaced the primitive spear. The rods used are typically 30 inches or less in length, while the tip-up is an apparatus placed over the hole in the ice that alerts the fisherman to a bite by tipping up a flag or some other marker. Small reels are used, lines in the 4- to 8-pound range being preferred.
When temperatures are such the waters on local ponds freeze to depths of 4 to 6 inches it is generally considered safe to attempt ice fishing. When engaged in ice fishing activities the most important rule is to participate safely at all times. Always check local conditions before venturing onto the ice. Wear a life jacket at all times and carry a cell phone in case of emergency. Dress warmly and in layers and bring along something to sit on. A thermos filled with your favorite hot beverage or soup will be worth its weight in gold.
A New York State freshwater fishing license is required to ice fish. For further information about Long island's freshwater opportunities pick up a copy of "Long Island's Best Freshwater Fishing" by noted angler and author Tom Schlichter.
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