ICE?

[Liv2hunt]

I live on Lake Hopatcong its all water the cove is starting to freeze it was holding birds last night and this morning.. 

[Joeybeets]

Be careful that is one swim you will not want to take.

[kuz]

maybe some small wind protected ponds.  large bodies of water still open.  wind been bad

[Bucksnbows]

I saw two small lakes along Berkshire Valley Road in Jefferson that are out of both the wind and sun most times, and they were less than 1/3 covered with ice and the ice was only a skim coat.  I was bird hunting in a swamp yesterday with TroutandBucks, and that ice which is first to freeze being protected by grass hummocks was only 1 1/2" thick to 2" at most.  It broke under my feet, but I didn't break through often.  So we're still a few real cold days away at best.  I think I heard 50s and rain early next week.

 

 

That said, I just was given a fairly new ice auger (hand crank with sharp blades still), 5 tip ups, and even a working FIshing Buddy II fish finder.  A good buddy is moving and recently got remarried and is downsizing, so I was the lucky recipient of some ice fishing gear.  And I already have some other gear including jigging rods and bait buckets with aerators, so I'm watching the ice locally which is western Morris very close to both Sussex and Warren counties in the same town as Budd Lake.     

[JHbowhunter]

I stayed at Cranberry lake last night - entire lake is frozen over.  I don't think it's a spot burn - you can see guys fishing right off 206...    I guess part of it is "safe" although I like a little more time before i venture out...

[Rutting Buck]

I saw a handful of guys fishing Cranberry Lake this morning on my way back from Whittingham

Edited December 16, 2017 by Rutting Buck

[Oddball8945]

I saw a handful of guys fishing Cranberry Lake this morning on my way back from Whittingham

damn is the fishing that good at that lake to be itching that hard to get on some thin ice?

[Redman]

According to an app on my phone (fish brains) there are people ice fishing Split Rock Reservoir. Don't know how thick the ice is but got pictures of perch, pickerel, and bass caught yesterday.  

[rgw]

wtf this heat will mess everything up

[Uplandhunter75]

 

 

Looks like my first Ice fishing trip will be this Saturday! Anyone else planning to get out? It's been a while since I've done something new, and I got to say I am excited!

[1957Buck]

We never get fishable ice down here, but I did just check the weather and theres a warm up coming.  I wouldn't be fishing on ice unless I knew it was four foot thick

 

NEVER I fished the Collins CovePort Republic thru the Ice Many Years and Times for White Perch filling Buckets using Grass Shrimp and baby Killies. 

OH YEA wait That was the 60s Even back then it was on the dangerous side when the sun would soften up the ice or the gap between the Ice and shore High tide we had a 10ft john boat we dragged out on the ice that saved many a fisherman.  

Funny Part was west of the Parkway NON Residents needed a fishing Licence we did not    anyone fish there on the ice ???

 

Spring Lake Deal lake has skim ice maybe Ice Boats on the Navesink soon

 

Weather Channel has this cold spell for next 7 days single and Teens.

Edited December 28, 2017 by 1957Buck

[Oddball8945]

 

 

Looks like my first Ice fishing trip will be this Saturday! Anyone else planning to get out? It's been a while since I've done something new, and I got to say I am excited!

what do you think the thickness is up north? I'm thinking next saturday will be super safe

[JHbowhunter]

what do you think the thickness is up north? I'm thinking next saturday will be super safe

 

Hope to get out somewhere tomorrow and will let you know... I would guess based on years of experience and the weather this past week, should be 4-6" on most lakes...  Use caution on ALL, and once those big lakes freeze over completely they thicken up real fast in this weather but you need to test test test as you venture further out. 

[Oddball8945]

Hope to get out somewhere tomorrow and will let you know... I would guess based on years of experience and the weather this past week, should be 4-6" on most lakes...  Use caution on ALL, and once those big lakes freeze over completely they thicken up real fast in this weather but you need to test test test as you venture further out. 

sounds good, might get out the 1st or 2nd if i get a doe this weekend and the ice is at least 6 lol

[nmc02]

5 inches or better near shore is my criteria