Another Noob Thread - SWPA

[YinzerJim]

I'm north of Pittsburgh, not too far from Arthur.  How long does the ice fishing season usually run around here?  I wouldn't mind driving further north a couple times but I'm wondering how many times I can expect to get out over the course of a typical winter. 

[zcm_82]

Not from the area, but I am at roughly the same latitude right on the IL/IN state line and the short answer is it varies a lot. Being right on the southern edge of the ice belt, sometimes you get no ice, other times you might get 4-6 weeks. Last winter I had 4 days of fishable ice all season. The winter before that, it was about 7 weeks.

You never really know what you're going to get, but if I had to call something "average" I would say 2-3 weeks of good solid ice, usually from about Jan 15th-Feb 10th or so, but it is very different year to year.

[jaeger80]

Yup what he said.  Jim, I also live near Arthur...

[cajuntony]

hey Jim follow the lake authur thread  on reports and conditions dats where I git most of my info...plus I ll take a ride up to scout  and see first hand but I 'll get ta fish a couple to maybe a dozen times per season jus stay safe first time out on New ice

[cajuntony]

oh.... mid Jan ta bout March jus depends on mother nature

[Captn66]

I'm close to you and I'll say that if we get good ice on a weekend - you better go because there's no guarantee that it'll be here the following weekend.

[4seasonfishrman]

I live in Westmoreland county, I'm luckily if I get on the ice 2 weekends a year.  Last year we never had ice.  I'm hoping this year will be better.

[Icecountryclub]

If you're willing to drive 3 hrs from Arthur, you can fish alot more. East or north over the ny border.

[YinzerJim]

Thanks all.  That's kind of what I was thinking, for better or worse.  I don't want to invest too much for just a couple outings, but I'm itching to try it!   

[shaved ice]

yinzer you don't have to invest alot in it to get started, rod  combos can be found way under $20 a hand auger for under $40, buckets are free

[jaeger80]

Watch craigslist and buy someones "giving up on ice fishing" pile.  There was lots of that last winter lol.

[zcm_82]

yinzer you don't have to invest alot in it to get started, rod  combos can be found way under $20 a hand auger for under $40, buckets are free

+1 on this.

It can be as cheap or expensive as you want to make it. The biggest startup costs are an auger, and a fish house, if you use one. Everything else can be had very inexpensively, especially if you buy used or at end of season sales. A lot of local stores blowout ice gear at 30-50% off in March/April to clear floor space for Spring stuff.

[Viruscage]

Noobish here too. Also in SWPA and only been icefishing for about 6ish years. I have been slowly getting more serious.
I have a manual auger, a used hut with a good bit of life left, rods, heaters and more! All my warm weather buddies think ice fishing is nuts.
I have had good luck on Moraine/Arthur, Tionesta, Kahle, Misery Bay, and even once in North Park! 

Always looking for more fishing fun!

[Captn66]

even once in North Park! 

Fishing there is like hunting at the gamelands in wexford .... every once in awhile i do it just to remind myself when i don't do it more - lol ... I've actually done quite well there in the past when we actually had ice ... and on the largemouths in warm weather.  I just get annoyed with all the non-fishing public that frequent that park