State DEP Ice Fishing Report

SAFETY REMINDER: DEP reminds winter anglers that SAFETY COMES FIRST! Be aware that ice thickness varies on all water bodies due to a number of environmental factors including in-lake water circulatory patterns, snow cover and the type and amounts of recent precipitation. Please check the ice carefully before venturing out and check repeatedly to make sure that ice thickness is sufficient. Always let someone know where you are going and when you’ll return.
Anglers are reminded that the 1-3 inches of rain that fell in late January did impact ice cover in some areas, with open water appearing around the edges of some water bodies. Although winter has returned after that brief hiatus, anglers should still be extra cautious.
ICE FISHING REPORT
TROUT - Catches (including a number of 3-4 lb fish) reported from Candlewood Lake, Mashapaug Lake, Bigelow Pond, Crystal Lake, Highland Lake, Squantz Pond, East Twin Lake, Ball Pond, West Hill Pond, Mt. Tom Pond, Colebrook Reservoir, Waramaug Lake and Beach Pond.
ATLANTIC SALMON – Fishing for these beauties has been slow recently, with only one salmon brought to the surface (Crystal Lake-Ellington).
NORTHERN PIKE – Reports of big fish continue this winter, with the most recent catch a 42 inch monster weighing in at 21 pounds 11 ounces. Best reports are from Mansfield Hollow Reservoir, Bantam Lake, Pachaug Pond, Quaddick Reservoir, Winchester Lake and the coves on the Connecticut River.
YELLOW PERCH – Jumbo yellow perch are starting to show up, with good reports from West Thompson Reservoir, Wethersfield Cove, Mashapaug Lake, Crystal Lake, Candlewood Lake, Coventry Lake, Bashan Lake, Highland Lake, Bigelow Pond, Pachaug Pond, Beseck Lake, Silver Lake, Beach Pond and Park Pond.
PANFISH - Good panfish locations include Silver Lake, West Thompson Reservoir, Winchester Lake, Park Pond, Bishop Pond, Dog Pond, Mono Pond, Halls Pond, Avery Pond, Moosup Pond, Quinebaug Pond, Black Pond (Woodstock), Holbrook Pond and Morey Pond. Early mornings are the best for these winter favorites, jig with grubs on your favorite lure and move from place to place.
CHAIN PICKEREL – Some pickerel action reported from Beseck Lake, Park Pond, Mt. Tom Pond, Bantam Lake, Mansfield Hollow Reservoir, Bigelow Pond, Lower Moodus Reservoir, Breakneck Pond, Wood Creek Pond and Halls Pond.
LARGEMOUTH/SMALLMOUTH BASS - Bass up to 4.5 pounds are being found at Quaddick Reservoir, the coves on the Connecticut River, Bigelow Pond, Crystal Lake, Highland Lake, Lower Moodus Reservoir, Candlewood Lake, Rogers Lake, Waramaug Lake, Ball Pond, Halls Pond, Winchester Lake, Morey Pond, Bishop Swamp, Babcock Pond, Cedar Lake, Dog Pond, Hatch Pond, Beseck Lake and Bashan Lake.
NOTICES:
Ø Anglers fishing MASHAPAUG LAKE are reminded that Ferry Tavern Road and the roads (including Howard Road) from Mashapaug Road in Union that lead to the lake are private ways with no public access. Avoid trespassing, please do not drive in, park on, or walk down these roads to access Mashapaug Lake. Legal access to the lake is only through Bigelow Hollow State Park and Nipmuck State Forest.