New to ice fishing: Good ice near Burlington?

[lannino]

I've been ice fishing a handful of times with more experienced people, but tomorrow will be my first time out solo. I was planning on fishing shelburne pond for perch, but I'd be happy to pull anything out of the ice. I was hoping to ask a couple questions for you more experienced ice fishermen.

1) Should I go somewhere other than Shelburne Pond? I've been doing my google homework and found mention about a fish kill a couple years ago. My other options are colchester pond or somewhere on Lake Champlain if the ice is good (near Burlington, perhaps mallets bay), but anywhere not far from Burlington would be OK with me. Not looking for your secret hole, but could I be pointed to the right body of water?

2) I've been trying to figure out the State's ice fishing rules/regs, but i cant seem to find anything on-line about ice fishing. I don't want to do something wrong and have a game warden pissed at me. Am I looking in the wrong place?

3) Bait. I have a few tip ups, but don't know what to bait them with on which body of water. Are minnows too big for the fish in shelburne pond? Would I look like a jackass putting nightcrawlers on a tip up?

Thanks for the help. I'll post pictures if I catch anything.

[tench]

Much of the ice up through the islands is safe, there are a few tackle shops up through there to help you out with baiting up. I believe there's a thread or two on here about colchester pond with conditions.

Regulations wise, no more than 8 lines per person on most bodies of water, 15 on champlain. Live bait has to be bought from an approved dealer and you need to carry the slip on you during transport- it cannot leave the ice. You have 4 days to use bait that you buy. Or you can catch bait and use it the day you're fishing on the same water body.

[campfindit2]

Grab your gear and head for the sandbar. Stop at Dockside for bait & ask what's hot, they'll send you in the right direction.

[lannino]

Thanks for the help guys. Went to dockside this morning and I was steered in the right direction. Caught a few nice perch near sandbar. I'm psyched to head out again, but will this storm make fishing impossible? I don't have a shelter, so I'm thinking the winds might keep me inside tomorrow.

[RipSomeLips22]

only suppose to get 1-4 ive been out in worse, went out this morning and it was ffffffffff n cold. Ive seen worse! Wont stop me!

[tench]

i'll be in burlington come sunday. shoot me a pm if you want to get out

[lannino]

Tench,

I would PM you but I cant figure out how. haha. I'm busy on Sunday, but would be happy to fish at some point.

[tench]

i'll be in town until may!