Done for the Season

[Boatless in BTV]

I never thought I would be doing this in February, but I just packed away my ice gear and am done for the season. I went and checked a couple of places this afternoon, and though I probably could have fished (Colchester Pond had 3-4 inches of black ice under 2-3 inches of super soft white ice), at 45 degrees and sunny I didn't feel safe being out there. And other than tomorrow, there's nothing in the forecast to indicate we'll get another chance, unfortunately.

Overall, it would be hard to conceive of a more disappointing ice season. I managed to get out twice and caught a grand total of 3 fish (1 pike, 1 crappie, 1 perch). The only positive is the short winter will hopefully mean kayak fishing season will get here sooner than usual this year.

For those of you still out there, be safe!

[stick eyes]

We still have good ice up in the St. Albans bay area . Hathaway point state access areas and also Georgia town park. Still can't go way out but able to get out into 20 to 30 feet of water. First of the week should be great fishing weather if they bite or not 

[koissu]

We still have good ice up in the St. Albans bay area . Hathaway point state access areas and also Georgia town park. Still can't go way out but able to get out into 20 to 30 feet of water. First of the week should be great fishing weather if they bite or not 

Curious to see what the next 10 days does off of Hathaway. Looking like another year with no white perch through the ice

[WARRIOR_ON_ICE]

if you are emotionally devastated enough by this short ice season, consider buying a non-resident NY license and driving over the Crown Point bridge and then finding our lakes in Essex and Hamilton counties. I was on 2 lakes this weekend, 1 had 18" ice and the other had 15"

[pikeaddict]

I fished bomo yesterday, and if this weeks forecast holds it was likely my last time out on that side of the mountain.

[vt-jig]

Plenty of small ponds in central VT that will likely hold their ice until mid to end  of March.   Fingers  crossed that the edges break up a bit though.  With my auger being down,  I'm just looking forward to some quality muskrat hunting,  as long as the right places open up soon enough, but slow enough that they don't blow wide open before I get my fun in 

[woodyvt]

Yup looks like its over for me. Fished Mississquoi bay sunday on 8-9” of ice……..Today its all water. Wind took it all out fast! Yikes!

Hope next year gets colder.

Good luck boat fishing everyone!

[aquarium234]

I am just happy I was able to safely fish last week. Limited to as where we could go, but we were able to fish the whole week on safe ice. Catching 2 pike in the 12.5 and 12.8lb and and buddy got a surprise 11lb bowfin. All released and swimming.    Crazy weather, I am hopeful after 2 years of warm weather we can finally shift back to at least cooler weather next year. I miss fishing a lot of my favorite places on Champlain this year. Already booked our week for next year so fingers crossed for a record ice year next year :-).
Love fishing on your side of the pond :-)