IceShanty.com's Ice Fishing Community
Vermont => Ice Fishing Vermont => Topic started by: mudchuck on Feb 11, 2022, 05:30 AM
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Some of you know I do a fish fry every year as an appriciation thing for all our workers that are doing their jobs outdoors in the cold after ice season ends with sketchy ice but before Mem. Day wkd., for the past 6-7 yrs now (minus the lockdown yr of course)
I have a self imposed goal of 20# boneless-skinless white perch fillets for the fry, and typically I'm catching a bucket or more of them by this time almost daily, but haven't found them at all in the places they're usually found this time of year.
I'm skunked so far and the yellow perch crop is less than stellar...so many dinks!
Looking for them, haven't found them yet up around in the inland sea yet, any info to share on where they're at would be really nice.
If they're down south, please share as I'm willing to travel to get on them.
Thanks in advance for any help or suggestions on where to locate them.
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Last year they were in the normal areas but the ice didn’t hold up.
I saw pictures of people with boats just days after the ice was out hammering them. Maybe this year the ice will hold up.
It was almost 80 degrees last march a few days.
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Last year they were in the normal areas but the ice didn’t hold up.
I saw pictures of people with boats just days after the ice was out hammering them. Maybe this year the ice will hold up.
It was almost 80 degrees last march a few days.
I'm aware of last year, as I participated in the removal of many of them before the ice got too punky.
Really want to focus on now and where to start hole hopping to get on them.
They're NOT up at Hathaway (yet), I know of some caught around VE, but that was weeks ago.
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i havent caught one down this way, havent tried either. the yellows have been almost nonexistent too.
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I fished off killkare this morning about 30 feet of water and picked uo some on my marcum cam but didn't hit my Bibbit
I was using just a regular glow with a red slash on it.
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I fished off killkare this morning about 30 feet of water and picked uo some on my marcum cam but didn't hit my Bibbit
I was using just a regular glow with a red slash on it.
Well that's a good sign, at least they're in the neighborhood.
Might have to venture up there.
I've done well on WP at that general location and the earliest gotten into them over the past 10-11 years is 2/14...go figure...guess they're right on time...
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I've heard of a few being caught with yellows out by Burton's, but no quantity at all. Hope the ice holds up this year. Perchbait and I haven't fished them for a couple of years now. Unless the weather changes drastically, I don't think the ice will be an issue for a while.
Of course, I do have a brand spanking new Yamaha trolling motor on my boat so ice-out won't be a terrible thing either!! ;)
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I caught a couple randomly off of Oven Point on Saturday, but they were definitely not schooled up - just a couple marauders. Should hopefully be starting to show in St. Alb's Bay soon. Would be curious to know if anyone's seen them around Cowbanks this season.
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I dont fish them in VT.., I'm reading this thread because where I usually get them in NH they have been a no show so far..as well..so itvappears to be something other than just one water body.
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Any update on the white perch in St. Albans Bay?
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Any update on the white perch in St. Albans Bay?
crickets
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Fished there today, a lot of dink yellows, no whites.
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Thanks for the update.
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I haven’t bothered to fish killkare yet this yr. Last yr was lots of disappointment found yellows everywhere but mainly small. A few nice ones now and again. But really I just go there for whites. Hoping ice hold in this yr til mid march when they pile up
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Starting to see some big white on the ice. Hoping to get out on them soon my self
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Anything happening? Whites show up?? . Be up next week irregardless. Stay safe tight lines..
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Everyone’s beeping tight lipped. Plenty to go around hence no limit
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Saw a pic on FB with a bucket of yellow and a bucket of white perch.
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More and more are being caught with the yellows
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Yep I saw the same posts. I’ll be on the hunt next weekend my self. Guessing out by burtons because in couple weeks will be piled up towards Hathaway
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They have been filling buckets of yellows on Georgia shore for the past 2 weeks. The last few days the white perch have moved through there. I would give it another warm spell before they push into hathaway.
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Maybe I’ll give it a shot over on Georgia side this weekend
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Any updates?
This coming Saturday is looking good so far, hope to get out and hunt them hard.
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I fished from Hathaway out towards the green can today. Brought home enough yellows for a meal but no whites.
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Fished from Killkare this morning. Only caught yellow perch. I wing it as I don’t have a flasher.
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Come to Maine and take unlimited numbers of larger than average fish. Our salmonids would appreciate it ;)
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Saturday is supposed to be an awesome day with the weather cooperating.
Let's all get out and fish the area.
They're there, we just have to find them.
Lot of area to cover in outer St. Albans basin, Burton to Hathaway, so need lots of people to join in and start the hunt.
Saw a few over on Georgia Shore side crossing from KillKare with wheelers & an SUV, but they were way out towards shoreline opposite from Ball. No idea if they found them or not.
Big yellows are starting to congregate too, but still an overwhelming amount of dink yellows all over the place.
~Mud
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I’ll be out there I will post a report also. They’re out there people are just being quiet about it I think.
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I will be out tomorrow early roaming on my four wheeler and back again Saturday with additional people with me hoping to get on some big whites. Will let you guys know what I find tomorrow
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No whites for me today. Went from Georgia shore. Went out deep flats near deeper water few decent yellows back into shallower flats lot of dink yellows. Fished all over Georgia shore side then across where there was a group towards burtons and they were fishing deep no whites. Lots of minnows everywhere
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I was out there today also. Drove on from the point...just as the game warden was unloading his snow machine . Didn't have much luck. Lots of ice and easy to drive around as the snow cover is not that much...just a few small drifts . And of coarse the wind was blowing .
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I plan on going out at Killkare tomorrow. I don’t know anyone here, I have a camo jet sled with a camo cover and will be walking. If you see me, feel free to say hi.
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There were several people on killkare side straight out from the channel the ferry uses. Fishing 50+ fow. I tried it there as well and just found small yellows and some large minnows. Soon the whites will come into the bay. There’s so many minnows. Every yellow I caught even the 5” ones had minnows in their mouths. Good luck
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Fished until 12:30pm out of Killkare today. Only caught yellow perch, most at 40’.
Saw a lot of activity by Mosquito Island. I didn’t walk over to drill some holes to see what was going on! :o
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the warm and rain should turn everything on.
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Same here only yellows, biggest ones were in 25-30’ fow.
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We fished the bay yesterday, between 2 of us we caught 7 white perch mixed in with the yellows.
That’s 7 more than the day before.
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I fished there Saturday, no whites, but 8 really decent yellows, 1 was 14" the other 7 were bigger than 10", numerous 9" & smaller, of which I kept about a dozen 9" to take home to clean. 1/4 pail of select yellows all-in-all.
Beautiful day, saw a guy way out by the reef off of Ball Island, plus plenty of others in what looked like a picket line all the way across from Georgia Rec to Hathaway, they all moved around after a while.
Not heard of any whites taken except what is posted here...nothing on social sites either...
Lost a monster pike just under the ice, had a little dink yellow hit a minnow was reeling it in from 40FOW, when about 10' under ice a big red streak showed up on my finder and smashed that little perch i was reeling in.
We had a little tug-o-war fight with my 24UL spooled with 3# line and saw it swim past my hole a couple times, looked about 32-36" and as I got it turned to come thru the hole the line snapped and I wasn't able to get it vertical enough to reach down thru hole to grab it.
Oh well, that's fishing for ya...was a rush while it lasted...
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Mudchuck,
Nice report, to bad you didn’t get the pike!
Going to try to get out a couple times this week.
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Fished around Killkare today . Only got one white mixed in with yellows. Did well with yellows, over a bucket of 8" plus. Fished the opened holes, made it easy. Pay attention when walking as I saw a alot of holes over 18" in diameter.
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Yup holes are getting bigger, they look like they’re ready to settle down
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I'm sure the ice is still good, but how's the shoreline look around killkare and hathaway after the warm weather and rain we got over the weekend? If anyone's been out since then.
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Don't know about the conditions at the point but I was at Georgia beach today and open water holes at the bottom of the ramp. Looked like you still could get on if you walked along the shore headed north . Didn't fish with the wind we had
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Don't know about the conditions at the point but I was at Georgia beach today and open water holes at the bottom of the ramp. Looked like you still could get on if you walked along the shore headed north . Didn't fish with the wind we had
Pretty much the same at VE & KillKAre, some ponded water with open holes at base of ramps, but can find ways to walk on around them but certainly not good for those on wheels.
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Fished out of Killkare today. Only caught yellow perch. Will be back there tomorrow.
Roughly measured 13” of ice.
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Fished out of Killkare again this morning. Got a little late start, friend came up from Moretown and had some work stuff to do first. Didn’t leave my house until 8am.
Started at 25 to 30 feet and had little to no bites. Yesterday was one after the other at that depth. Moved around and finally got into yellow perch around Hathaway Point.
Did not get any white perch. Did talk to a gentleman that claimed that guys on 4 wheelers that were by Ball Island were catching white perch. He also said that the bite was slow and didn’t stay long. Could see the 4 wheelers the 2 miles to Ball Island and they were still there in the afternoon when we left.
Contemplating fishing at Ball Island tomorrow. Long walk if someone is yanking my chain. Decisions decisions! :)
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Fished yesterday from 11:30 until 4:30 at GISP, 50FOW, ran traps & jigged, <half pail 9-10" yellows, just as many throwbacks, slow, used minnows & medium shiners on traps, only 1 perch on traps.
Guys on wheels used launch and went all the way across to eagle mountain then roamed some, others walked out to trench near savage & fish bladder.
Others were way over north near NW corner reef of savage, looked like they were doing good for perch.
No whites over on this side for me either...try other side this afternoon after work...
Was a beautiful day on the ice, beats being stuck in an office like I am as I type this now...
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Fished out of Killkare until 10:30 or so this morning. No white perch but the yellow perch bite was good. Kept some for freezer and threw a ton back. Also caught my best yellow perch. 12”, 1lb 5oz.
https://postimg.cc/0b4wwbgV
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I fished the west side of the Inland Sea today, no whites but lots of yellows and the ice is still fine.
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That was a nice perch Bob. Nice to meet you today, I stayed until about 2pm and left with all I needed and then some.
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Nice perch Bob G!!!
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fished out off burtons for a while in 40 fow this afternoon got some nice yellows. most of the yellows puking up tons of alewifes. no sign of whites yet. talked to a couple guys that got some off of ball island today. ramp is deteriorating quickly
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That was a nice perch Bob. Nice to meet you today, I stayed until about 2pm and left with all I needed and then some.
Nice to meet you too. Todays bite was way better than yesterday. Hoping for another day fishing before the next warm spell. Might go out on Monday.
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Just getting around to posting this. Wed March 9th I was off Hathaway Point in line with the green can 22 FOW got a bucket and half of whites between 12:45 and 3:00. Looks like the next trip may be in a boat though. Was anyone out there today?
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Doesn’t look like I’m going to get there, but the word is people are catching them.
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regardless of this weeks weather, my buddy and I plan on riding up the Hathaway pt on Saturday. Maybe we will get on, maybe not. we'll plank it if we can. Hopefully we can put on a hunt for them.
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It's suppose to be 65 degrees on Thursday, be careful.
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The white perch bite was on yesterday at Hathaway Point but I didn’t realize it until I got done fishing for yellows and at my truck to go home.
Fished there this morning and brought a bucket of white perch home (32) and just got done filleting them. Might go again tomorrow but won’t keep as many. Took me a smidge over 2 hours to clean them.
Fished in 19’, perch were anywhere from near the bottom to 2 to 3 off of the bottom. There were a ton of holes from yesterday, didn’t even drill a hole.
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Thanks for the report Bob!! that's the good news!!
How was the shoreline and ice thickness?
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Still a foot of ice or more. The shoreline at the ramp was ok today but starting to get a little sketchy. The beach was better a few days ago and the 4 wheelers were using that area to access the lake. There was a side by side there fishing today so they could get there catch back to the truck!
There was a lot of guys today filling buckets, storage bins, coolers, etc today. I left before 10, a bucket was enough for me to fillet.
Hope the ice and shoreline hold up for you. Cough cough, tomorrow might be better than this weekend! :)
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"Hope the ice and shoreline hold up for you. Cough cough, tomorrow might be better than this weekend!"
Just made arrangements here at work to make a short day of things and a 1-way trip up that way to survey equipment then go fish.
I think 50 today, 60 tomorrow the camp shoreline will go after today, it was a little soft getting off and I had to walk parallel a little ways to find a not so soft spot.
So if we want to extend this access onto that shelf, wouldn't recommend any wheels now, snow melted & ice shelf is easy walking and don't have to go far...
Agree, got there late afternoon yesterday, saw a few guys fishing & pulling them in, ramp at Killkare is trashed now, had to walk shoreline & hopscotch some rocks to get on, but the guys I met came on at camps, so I got off at camps and walked back to park.
Filled a bucket in a couple hours, bite was consistent once they found the bait they stayed around until close to dark, everyone left around 5:30, I stayed a little longer, but once they left the school started moving away from the area, as there wasn't enough lines in the water to keep them around and the smaller yellows started showing up.
Interestingly enough, they really didn't want live minnows, but hammered minnow heads & spikes. Keep those dead minnows, they come in handy...
Up until last night, me having the annual company fish fry was in jeopardy of not happening because I hadn't caught any white perch, but certainly not for lack of trying, they're just late to show up to the party this year...FISH FRY ON!
Stay safe peeps, see you there if you're out there today, otherwise this might be my last trip out.
~Mud
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Going to head out there this afternoon and will post back on how the bite is. Excited that they're around before the ice gets sketchy this year! Best o luck to all who go!
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Fished this morning for a bit at Killkare. Most guys were already on them at 7am. The ice at the ramp was breaking up as I got to solid ice. Fishing was slow compared to yesterday. My goal was to get some white perch for dinner tonight as my GF didn’t want any more fish in the freezer. Brought home 4 for dinner.
The bite was slowing this morning and everyone started moving around to find them. I left at this point. There are so many holes around Hathaway Point, I haven’t drilled a hole in 2 days, just cleared an old hole with my skimmer.
Came back in at the beach, much better and not broken up. Good luck!
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Headed out tomorrow afternoon to find some for the freezer. I'll report back on what we find. Anyone else fishing 2nd shift tomorrow?
Are the bulk of them coming from the usual places at hathaway, or are people finding bigger schools elsewhere? I'll have my Father with me, we will be limited as far as hiking around to hunt for them, so the less trudging around we have to to get on them, the better. thanks for any info.
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Mudchuck,
Were you out there this morning?
NHHARDWATER,
I would just fish where everyone else is. There are 1000 holes out there, be careful walking around with your father. Check out the beach to get on the ice and walk out around the ramp area. Good luck.
I rode by Malletts Bay ramp this afternoon. The shoreline was all broke up. There were a few guys out fishing past the marina and one person way out.
Today was my last day ice fishing for this year.
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NHHARDWATER,
I would just fish where everyone else is. There are 1000 holes out there, be careful walking around with your father. Check out the beach to get on the ice and walk out around the ramp area. Good luck.
I rode by Malletts Bay ramp this afternoon. The shoreline was all broke up. There were a few guys out fishing past the marina and one person way out.
Today was my last day ice fishing for this year.
Thanks Bob!
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Was there today from 1:30 to around 5 and managed a bucket or so. There was a tight cluster of people just southeast of hathaway point of maybe 20 or so people. Everyone catching fish, but not in stupendous numbers. Schools were moving around a lot so people were shifting holes regularly. Pretty well swiss cheese out there so you might not even need an auger in this weather. I will say, if you're getting on the ice at the Kilkare boat launch, pick your spot carefully, unless you're like me, and wanna go knee-deep on the way off the ice. :) Good luck everyone!
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Fished from 2:30 to 5 managed to get a full pail of mostly good size whites. Definitely avoid ramp and use beach to get on.
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Fished from 11 to 3 Wednesday, caught 3 buckets full, a little over 100#, add this to the 3/4 pail from Monday Tuesday and my ice fishing is done for the season.
All in all, about 125# gross wgt, cleaned a bucket last night got 8# boneless-skinless fillets off them...1 down 3 to go.
Guess this saved the day for the annual fish fry at work!!!
Nightcrawlers were the hot bait, using spikes was slow and the fish were smaller.
(https://i.postimg.cc/64rvSpmr/1st-hole-15-minutes-into-it.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/64rvSpmr)
(https://i.postimg.cc/bdkkdmwZ/29-of-carcasses.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/bdkkdmwZ)
(https://i.postimg.cc/QFxT4sk7/A-Slaughter.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/QFxT4sk7)
(https://i.postimg.cc/21cBgJ2K/plenty-to-clean.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/21cBgJ2K)
(https://i.postimg.cc/PPMDQNZh/ready-for-a-fish-fry.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/PPMDQNZh)
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Nice haul mudchuck!
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Nice haul mudchuck!
Thanks.
Yeah, I think a few guys out there were a little jealous of my quick & heavy haul...bait was key. Used an orange/silver flake bibbet in case anyone was wondering and wore off most of the paint by the time I left the ice.
I gave away a few worms to help the cause with a newbie out there too. Hope that and the dead minnows were helpful.
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Mudchuck,
What do you do with the buckets of fish until you fillet them?
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Mudchuck,
What do you do with the buckets of fish until you fillet them?
I have them on ice and already filleted 1 bucket last night, will get 2 more done this afternoon after work. Last pail will be tomorrow.
Finally getting to use my Bubba Li-Ion cordless fillet knife set!
Use it on the Haddock/Cod/Stripers on occasion when I get some deep sea action in.
Bought it 3 years ago and never had enough fresh water fish large enough to actually use it, the 7" flex blades work the best but are still too coarse of serrations for yellow perch & gill/seeds, but these whites it seems to glide easily thru the rib bones without mauling the meat.
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Nice catch and a good fish fry is in the works ! ;D
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Nice!
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Way to whack'em mudchuck!
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Anybody going to be out there this afternoon? Still able to get on the ice? I'm planning on heading up after work ... assuming it's still fishable.
Also, is there anybody in the St. A area that buys fish? I'm planning on keeping a bucket or so, but if I manage to catch more than that I'd like to sell the rest.
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Anybody going to be out there this afternoon? Still able to get on the ice? I'm planning on heading up after work ... assuming it's still fishable.
Also, is there anybody in the St. A area that buys fish? I'm planning on keeping a bucket or so, but if I manage to catch more than that I'd like to sell the rest.
I talked to a guy on the ice the other day who said there's a farmer nearby who is buying them for 50 cents a pound, but that's all I can tell ya. Maybe ask around when you're on the ice. Someone's bound to know.
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I'm cutting out of work early to head up there and try to get on the ice. Hope to be fishing by 330pm.
Anybody going to be out there this afternoon? Still able to get on the ice? I'm planning on heading up after work ... assuming it's still fishable.
Also, is there anybody in the St. A area that buys fish? I'm planning on keeping a bucket or so, but if I manage to catch more than that I'd like to sell the rest.
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I talked to a guy on the ice the other day who said there's a farmer nearby who is buying them for 50 cents a pound, but that's all I can tell ya. Maybe ask around when you're on the ice. Someone's bound to know.
J&S on Dunsmore Road I think is still buying fish
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Wish I could join you all for 1 more trip, but I still have fish to clean and put my gear up already.
Have fun, stay safe...hearing the shorelines are getting real sketchy now.
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Thursday 3/17/22:
Arrived at Hathaway at 2pm, fished until sunset. I can count on one hand how many days I have ice fished on a day and nice as this one. 60 degrees ice fishing a treat by anyone's standards. Finally got my Dad out there so he could experience the frenzy. We had a great evening with about 70 lbs of perch in the truck for the ride home. A bit on the slow side but steady to start until about 5pm and it was more active from then until dusk. Pink was the color of the day, and found spikes to be more effective than worms this day as well. Funny how they change their pallets from day to day.
HEADS UP: Shoreline on the point is rotted away on both sides. I would not recommend trying to access there. We broke through 10feet from shore getting off the ice. photo shows the shoreline as of Thursday night. Still 10-11" of ice out there but getting grey. A few people out there told me that the ramp is junk and the beach was the best option for access to the ice in that area.
(https://i.postimg.cc/DS8bxFyH/haul.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/DS8bxFyH)
(https://i.postimg.cc/9DRrGpLj/shoreline.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/9DRrGpLj)
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I'm cutting out of work early to head up there and try to get on the ice. Hope to be fishing by 330pm.
Good luck Joe!
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If it is J&S make sure they can pay you, don’t take IOU’s.
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Congrats, Aaron! Glad you were able to get your Dad on them.
Thanks for the heads-up on J&S and on the shoreline. I'll probably just try to catch my bucket and head home, instead of dealing with that.
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Awesome!
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Congrats, Aaron! Glad you were able to get your Dad on them.
Thanks for the heads-up on J&S and on the shoreline. I'll probably just try to catch my bucket and head home, instead of dealing with that.
I’m done fishing the hard water for the year but if you get into them I’ll take a bucket at 50 cents a pound. I will direct message you my cell number.
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I’m done fishing the hard water for the year but if you get into them I’ll take a bucket at 50 cents a pound. I will direct message you my cell number.
Sounds good! Where do you live ... just in case?
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I live in Essex but don't mind running up to St Albans to meet you, just give me a heads up.
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Perfect ... I live in Jericho. Hopefully I'll be giving you a call.
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I stopped by Killkare on my way back from the rifle range. Seven vehicles there. The fog was so thick I couldn’t see anyone on the ice. The ramp ice is gone and the beach ice is about 5’ or 6’ from shore. Looks like you’ll need tall boots or planks. I’m glad I got a bucket for the freezer on Tuesday and dinner on Wednesday.
Saw 4 guys fishing at Hathaway boat ramp.
Be safe out there.
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Fished kilcare today. Had to plank on, shorelines are rough. Fished all over out there, did really well with yellows, including some real slabs. Caught a grand total of 1 white perch. Saw guys catching them with some frequency when the fog lifted enough to see, that is. Just couldn’t manage to get in them myself. Last time out for me I think, time to get the boat ready.
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Thursday 3/17/22:
Arrived at Hathaway at 2pm, fished until sunset. I can count on one hand how many days I have ice fished on a day and nice as this one. 60 degrees ice fishing a treat by anyone's standards. Finally got my Dad out there so he could experience the frenzy. We had a great evening with about 70 lbs of perch in the truck for the ride home. A bit on the slow side but steady to start until about 5pm and it was more active from then until dusk. Pink was the color of the day, and found spikes to be more effective than worms this day as well. Funny how they change their pallets from day to day.
HEADS UP: Shoreline on the point is rotted away on both sides. I would not recommend trying to access there. We broke through 10feet from shore getting off the ice. photo shows the shoreline as of Thursday night. Still 10-11" of ice out there but getting grey. A few people out there told me that the ramp is junk and the beach was the best option for access to the ice in that area.
(https://i.postimg.cc/DS8bxFyH/haul.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/DS8bxFyH)
(https://i.postimg.cc/9DRrGpLj/shoreline.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/9DRrGpLj)
Glad you and your dad had a good day.
Would be nice to meet up with some of you here for white perch fishing next year if the conditions are good.
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Fished hathaways today got about 3 pails. They definitely weren't hitting hard at all, just real light taps. I think after tomorrow's rain it will be toast
(https://i.postimg.cc/56SSCdfD/20220318-143104.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/56SSCdfD)
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I drove by yesterday and was surprised to see 6 or so people out by the buoy, as the shore is shot. Went for a drive today and from van everest to hathaway point it is done. lots of open water near the shore area and beyond . A short season for sure. Everyone have a good summer :)
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Saw no one at Killkare today and two guys fishing by the Hathaway boat ramp. I was surprised to see anyone on the ice at all today.
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By the time I heard about em it was a hit or miss bite and the shorelines were shot.. oh well I had a decent season on slab perch and walleye on carmi.