Hardwater has arrived

[Canmoore]

This weather is not helping things! Gets cold, then snap!! It gets warm! Last Monday was 19'C!!! Today was 9'C! The models say that December/January/February is going to be colder than normal. However, it sure does not seem that way! Seems like we are on a crazy roller coaster, which sucks for hard water. Especially on big water like the Ottawa, and Quinte!

[rustyhook]

I ventured out on 3 ponds that I trap minnows on and there was about 2.5 inches of ice on each of them. They are shallow and the muck usually keeps the ice a bit thinner. I think I'll wait a few days before trapping them. I did go to white Lake and went out at the boat launch. It had a good 4 inches of black ice. I see someone else was out checking the ice a day or so ago as well. It is completely frozen, I didn't see any open areas as far down the lake as I could see.

[arnpriormike]

On Sunday morning I hiked into a trout lake in zone 18 expecting to fish from shore. To my surprise there was 2" of black ice!!! So I punched a hole in the ice with my chainsaw "socket-t-wrench" I had in my backpack. Then I started fishing with my 6' rod! Within a few minutes of jigging with a little cleo in 4-5 feet of water, I noticed a very nice brook trout circle under my feet!! Seconds later he was on top of the ice!!
A very nice and colorful 16"male brook trout!!
I would have taken a picture and posted it for you guys, but, I didn't think of it until after I ate him that evening!

So there's ice in them back hill/smaller lakes!! No ice is safe ice, just use common sense!!

Have fun guys! Water walking is here....finally!!

[Wallyboss]

Be safe guys! Don't go alone, wear at least a floater suit and tie a long rope to shore!!! I used to love first ice fishing but I was always as safe as I could about it. Guess I'm getting too old now. I'll wait a bit longer!!!

[Canmoore]

The entire Christmas holidays had stupid warm temps, I drove past petri on Thursday and it was completely open. Even saw a shack sunk on baitshop bay!! We are finally into some colder temps, but it wont be safe for at least a week.

[arnpriormike]

The small trout lakes are fine!