maybe ice in late January or February

[ShawnM]

I'm taking the boat back out.  Last year on this date the HI was 22 today 61  . I'm saying it now there might be no ice fishing in NJ this year. Taking the boat out to jig up some perch 

[LoneWolf]

I'm saying it now there might be no ice fishing in NJ this year.

Shawn you're a pessamist. 

The long term forecast doesn't look too bad from Christmas on. We'll just have to wait and see. If there's safe ice upstate after Christmas I'm gone ! 

 

[ShawnM]

Up state NY might get it if so I'll be there just say NJ water might be open. NY lost anty ice they had so we start over again. I need to try the new jig's I got. Thanks again Doug

[Icephishnphreek]

Yea it was 22* last year on this date and look how the season ended up last year. Short and warm.....Just give mother nature some time here Shawn

[iceman_4432]

Last year started out alot colder then warmed up.  I can live with the warm temps now.  Looks like around Christmas its going to get colder.  Hopefully winter will settle in then and we get ice. 

Not a bad idea though putting the boat in the water now ... ive been thinking about that myself ! 

[ShawnM]

maybe the small lake can freeze up but the big one's will be open

[AJ Flag]

For you guys that are slightly older than me and have been at this in NJ longer, what is the average time of year that we get on the ice. Since I've been at it with Shawn I think that 2 years ago we got on in Decemeber, but usually its January, so maybe we will be ok???

[NJ_ICE_HUNTER]

No, worries,


There has only been one year in the past 10 years that I remeber when I couldn't find any ice in NJ and it wasn't last year.  Only 3-4 out of the last 10 had me on the ice before Christmas and I am pretyy hard core.  Just give it time.  Yeah it is a later start than normal but we are not even halfway through december.  As fast as the temps warmed up 40 degrees, they can drop.  The lake water is still close to the temp its gotta be.  Days are short still and nights are cool.  We just need a little arctic air.  I wouldn't worry about sracting the whole season unless things dont improve by 2-3 week of January.  That is a long way away yet.  I know this warm weather sucks but Everyone worries too much.  I hope I don't eat my words. HAHAHA

[Sub Zero]

Your confidence is most reassuring Ice Hunter 

[doodle]

Last year was the first year I was on the ice before Christmas and the rest of the year was crap. Cold weather should be in soon ( I hope ) and the lakes will freeze over.

[RJP]

Last year was the same for me - I got out once at LH in December (ice was soft and I ended up staying pretty close to the shore at the state park - and there was open water not too far out) and then didn't get out agasin for the rest of the season.

Let's hope for nice consistent cold weather once it drops!!!!!!

[ShawnM]

The last three years we fished by for Christmas in NJ or NY this year is a big NO. John I hope you are rite about ice. The 10 day weather still don't look good.It getts better on Dec 27 but we need low teens & HI 30 or 20. To make good ice
Forestburgh, NY (12777)
Today
Dec 18  Cloudy
 47°/29° 10% 
  47°F

Check Your Local Event Forecast
Tue
Dec 19  Mostly Sunny
 38°/24° 20% 
  38°F
 
Wed
Dec 20  Sunny
 40°/26° 10% 
  40°F
 
Thu
Dec 21  Partly Cloudy
 46°/31° 10% 
  46°F

Check Your Local Event Forecast
Fri
Dec 22  Showers
 42°/38° 40% 
  42°F
 
Sat
Dec 23  Showers
 49°/35° 40% 
  49°F
 
Sun
Dec 24  Mostly Cloudy
 45°/32° 10% 
  45°F

Check Your Local Event Forecast
Mon
Dec 25  Showers
 41°/30° 40% 
  41°F
 
Tue
Dec 26  Rain / Snow Showers
 40°/28° 60% 
  40°F
 
Wed
Dec 27  Scattered Snow Showers
 38°/23° 60% 
 

[Pike Popper]

Yeah i hear ya Shawn. Was on in NJ before Christmas last two years(Dec.12 in 05 + Dec. 22 in 04) and on roughly the 28th in 03.
Looks like we'll be waiting till after New Years to get on the ice in Jersey this season.

[ShawnM]

This SUCK"S. I got new ice fishing stuff to use & I can't use it.
Forestburgh, NY
Today
Dec 27  Flurries
 36°/26° 20% 
  36°F


Thu
Dec 28  Partly Cloudy
 43°/27° 10% 
  43°F
 
Fri
Dec 29  Partly Cloudy
 44°/27° 10% 
  44°F
 
Sat
Dec 30  AM Clouds / PM Sun
 42°/33° 10% 
  42°F

Check Flight Delays
Sun
Dec 31  Cloudy
 41°/31° 10% 
  41°F
 
Mon
Jan 1  Showers
 43°/33° 60% 
  43°F
 
Tue
Jan 2  Mostly Cloudy
 43°/27° 10% 
  43°F

Get Tips for Driving in the Rain
Wed
Jan 3  Partly Cloudy
 37°/25° 10% 
  37°F
 
Thu
Jan 4  Sunny
 38°/23° 10% 
  38°F
 
Fri
Jan 5  Mostly Cloudy
 41°/24° 10
 

[Icephishnphreek]

Now I am agreeing with ya .....THIS SUCKS!

[NJ_ICE_HUNTER]

Haha,

Eating my words slowly.   I still wouldn't come near to giving up hope.  However the near future does not look good. Well I'm going to Maine for New Years and if it makes anyone feel better they are just forming ice now on the ponds.  I may not even get to fish up there. I am hoping for at 4" up there by the weekend.

[LoveIceFish]

Last winter I was on the ice on December 3 on my lake in PA.
Last weekend it had no ice. Does not look good!
I took my boat and jigged some perch.
By the way I live in Mahwah now and can use some advice where to fish from NJ guys.
I fished Greenwood, LH and Tappan while ago, but really want to find out more about rivers because I have a bunch of mobile small boats now and love to fish for large carp and cats. 

Thanks.

[Jig4M]

Last winter me and Shawn fished locally on Christmas eve in NJ, I thougt we were going to have a great year but then Jan got warm and the rest of the times we went out we had to go to NY to find safe ice. I agree the temps can take a nose dive as fast as they rise. I'm hoping to get out as soon as 1/20.

[bassintom_nj]

it does not look good for ice.i haven't put the boat away.in fact i only cover it when it snows.i use it almost year round except for the 2 weeks of ice fishing we get ..been catching tons of perch and crappie at furnace lake.got about a 3 lb rainbow today,and about 8lb cat 2 weeks ago.the water temp today was 42.