| Bradford County
Fishing has been slow on most ponds in the eastern part of Bradford County. Some walleye have been taken through the ice on the Susquehanna River by anglers jigging large perch-colored swimming jigs. A few of the walleye have been in the 18 to 20 inch range. Anglers should be aware that although there have been several days with single digit temperatures ice conditions can vary greatly. Be sure to double check the ice thickness and be extremely careful when fishing on the ice.
Carbon County
Anglers fishing the Pohopoco Creek downstream of Beltzville Lake during the first weekend of January did well catching trout. Minnows and night crawlers appeared to work best. Most other approved trout waters in the district are receiving little to no fishing pressure.
Ice anglers did well catching pickerel and perch at Mauch Chunk Lake off of Boat Launch B area. Minnows and jigs appeared to work best. There was some open water at Boat Launch A at Mauch Chunk Lake. Ice anglers were fishing at Beltzville Lake off of Preachers Camp Boat Access area. Beltzville Lake still has a lot of open water. Ice conditions are not monitored and as always, please check ice conditions before going out.
Northern Luzerne County
Area anglers have been enjoying the ice up at Lake Jean for weeks but now they have a lot more lakes to choose from. Small bluegills and black crappies have been hitting at Francis Slocum and Harris Pond has been giving up some nice bluegills.
Most ponds and lakes have a good six inches plus of good solid ice but anglers should still use caution. On some waters (Harveys Lake for one) ice thickness can vary dramatically from one spot to the other. Be aware of conditions and structure that can have an impact on ice thickness. Docks, shallow shoals, stumps and springs/currents can keep the ice thin while surrounding areas of the same body of water can have plenty of ice.
Southern Luzerne County
Walleye are being caught on the Susquehanna River by anglers using minnows and bucktail jigs. River fishing presents a challenge because there are blocks of ice flowing in the river.
Anglers have been taking advantage of recent cold temperatures to take to the ice on various area lakes. Some panfish and pickerel at have been caught at Lily Lake by jigging with waxworms and using tip-ups with minnows. Ice anglers at Francis Walter Dam have been doing well catching perch with tip-ups baited with minnows. Jigging with jigs and spoons tipped with waxworms or maggots also seems to be working. Some panfish have been caught at Lake Irena. Jigs tipped with live bait seem to be working best.
Anglers are reminded to always check ice conditions as they proceed out onto various lakes. Additional helpful items for anglers to consider are a good pair of ice awls for self rescue purposes and a good pair of ice cleats to help prevent falls on the ice.
Monroe County
Ice anglers have hit the ice on the private community lakes in the Poconos in force this past weekend. Ice thickness ranged between 9 and 12 inches. Catches seemed to vary from lake to lake.
Northern Pike County
Ice fishing is well under way here in the Northeast. Lake Wallenpaupack has a good 6 inches of ice in most places and perch and bluegill seem to be the favorite at this time. Shohola Lake has a good 9 inches of ice and the bass are hitting really well on live bait. Lake Greely, Decker Pond, and White Deer Lake all have a good 9 inches of ice with panfish and pickerel being caught on all three impoundments. Please be aware that the conditions and thickness of the ice can vary greatly throughout a waterway depending on a number of factors. Always double check that the ice is safe before heading onto it. The Delaware and the Lackawaxen Rivers still have open water if you don't fancy ice fishing. Good luck, have fun and be safe out there.
Southern Pike County
Ice anglers have been out in good numbers this month and the action has been good to excellent. Anglers fishing Peck’s Pond have been catching large crappie on jigs near the Old Route 402 boat launch. Many anglers were out on community lakes and ponds catching largemouth bass and Panfish on tip-ups. Hidden lake is producing lots of nice sized pickerel on shiners near the dam.
Anglers fishing Promised Land Lake which is managed under Panfish Enhancement Special Regulations are doing very well with the panfish. Anglers have been catching large numbers of good sized perch on pink and orange jigs tipped with a waxworm.
Susquehanna County
Some fish have been caught through the ice in the Ararat area in Eastern Susquehanna County. Try jigging for perch and bluegill in 8 to 10 feet of water using jigs tipped with mealworms and waxworms. Anglers should be aware that ice conditions can vary greatly and even though we have had brutally cold temperatures there are still spots with bad ice and many ponds do not have very solid ice due to the covering of snow and wind conditions that we have had.
Wayne County
The ice has arrived but not been many ice anglers have been fishing yet.
Remember to dress warm and to check the thickness of the ice before heading out.
Wyoming County
Recent cold weather has created opportunities for ice anglers. Most success has been found at Lake Carey with several ice anglers catching walleyes. I have also found anglers catching fish at Oxbow Lake and Stevens Lake. Use caution when walking onto frozen lakes and be sure to fish with a partner. |
