Derby - River Ice

[sr73087]

I have been planning on fishing the river the last few years but never made it over there to do so. Where do most of you access the river?

[GingerBeardRyan]

O’sullivans island, under rt8 bridge in derby/Shelton that cove is always fun to fish. I’ve seen stripers, salmon and everything in between come through there. Shoot me a pm I could always use some more ice fishing buddies!

P.s it does typically take a little longer to lock up with safe ice due to the tides/ brackish water

[sr73087]

Thanks for the invite. Always looking for people to go out with.

Are most people fishing the cover here or under the actual bridge?

[Spoondangler]

Def not under the bridge, it’s pretty swift and shallow there at the boat launch.

[te-pe]

afternoon everybody...that cove is tricky ...always gotta plank on and off....takes some good cold to lock it up .tide change is like 5 feet so always breaking up edges..be safe

[fishndog]

Well said te-pe! Go with someone,be safe, and Tight Lines!!!

[lowaccord66]

afternoon everybody...that cove is tricky ...always gotta plank on and off....takes some good cold to lock it up .tide change is like 5 feet so always breaking up edges..be safe

Let's not forget the minus tides too.

[spanky1]

that cove is tricky ...always gotta plank on and off

Yes you do! I went to fish one day and some guys were trapped as the tide came in. They had never fished there before and just walked on at low tide... never knew about the tide. Tried to leave and there was about 8ft of open water!

I got a good laugh and put the plank out for them. The place can be fun for sure...especially if you love to jig

[sr73087]

Thanks guys. That’s what the guy at TC marine was telling me a few years back, just never took the ride over.

[sr73087]

Has anyone been in this area? Not sure if the next 2 days may mess us up a bit.

[pikemanEd]

Whatever is there will be hurt by 50° and 2in of rain. Especially the Coves in Shelton and Derby with a south wind 20mph will push waves into the coves and eat the ice faster I'm a Naugatuck Valley local lived my whole life here in the lower valley and have lots of experience on these coves. Always bring a plank or ladder unless you have already been there and someone set up a plank and left it there for everyone to use. This also applies to the coves on the lakes on the housy water is always moving up and down a few feet every day. Last Saturday would have been a challenge to get on lilly if I didn't bring a a board and a pallet

[lowaccord66]

Not to mention we are still in minus tides until the weekend.

[NateD]

Not to mention we are still in minus tides until the weekend.

That moon is making some crazy tides, I thought I was seeing possible ice on the niantic river Monday but it was just mud where there isn't typically any mud showing.

[lowaccord66]

That moon is making some crazy tides, I thought I was seeing possible ice on the niantic river Monday but it was just mud where there isn't typically any mud showing.

Yup.  If you look at the tide charts the moon tides will always be minus tides and there will be a - on the low tide height.  Now once a year when the moon is the closest to us the minus tides peak.  After that every minus tide is a bit weaker as the moon moves further away. 

[sr73087]

How is it looking in the Derby/Shelton area?

[Chawk190]

How is it looking in the Derby/Shelton area?

Stopped by Sullivan’s at 12:30 today. Not ready yet. The sheet looked good and based on the other coves to tho north checked later I’d say it’s 3” or so. Thin broken ice to 10’ from shore. No plank or sign of anyone on ice.

Walked onto Pink House from back cove parking area. Edges real thin and sagging but didn’t break. Measured 3+”

Jackson’s also 3+” 50’ from ramp

 Kettletown was about the same 3-4” to right of parking area. I may try here tomorrow or Candlewood.

[Chawk190]

Went to Sullivan’s at 3:30 this afternoon on last 2 hrs falling tide. The YP were fairly active in 20’. Jigged up quite a few with 6 or 7 10”+. Measured 4” ice at end of plank and 6”+ on the sheet. 2 planks on east side of cove.