First time out on Davidson's Mill this year

[Bukshot]

A friend and I went to Davidson's mill in North Brunswick today for the first time this year.  About 6 inches there in most places although it's getting pretty wet on top with this warmup.  We did pretty well considering that we couldn't get out till about 9:00 a.m.  Used tip-ups only.  Had about a dozen flags total and got 9 fish.  5 Bass and 4 Pickeral.  2 of the Bass were 16 or 17 inches.  One Pickeral was about 24 in.  Threw everything back.  Hopefully it will cool off again soon so we can get back out there.  Merry Christmas to everyone. 

[TonyC]

A friend and I went to Davidson's mill in North Brunswick today for the first time this year.  About 6 inches there in most places although it's getting pretty wet on top with this warmup.  We did pretty well considering that we couldn't get out till about 9:00 a.m.  Used tip-ups only.  Had about a dozen flags total and got 9 fish.  5 Bass and 4 Pickeral.  2 of the Bass were 16 or 17 inches.  One Pickeral was about 24 in.  Threw everything back.  Hopefully it will cool off again soon so we can get back out there.  Merry Christmas to everyone. 

:tipup:Excellent that is great news.

[iceman_4432]

Great news and good report.  The colder temps will be back and back out on the ice.

[Pomoxis]

Can anyone give me some info on where to access that place, what road or whatever?
Any good Crappie there? Any boat launch? Any other rules/regs to know?
A 24 inch pickerel is one to remember, especially a fat one! I got a couple that size, open water at Swartswood, many years ago. Suspended over deep water. I think they forgot they were pickerel. Through the ice is much more exciting, of course.
Apparently Hopatcong gives up some big pickerel too.

[Bukshot]

Pomoxis,

It's in Davidson Mill Park which is off of Church Lane in North Brunswick.  Church Lane is off of Rte. 130.  There is a boat launch.  That is where everyone walks onto the ice.  It's a long and narrow lake.  Average depths are probably 8 - 10 feet.  Some crappies and perch.  A lot of guys jig there for Sunnys and stuff.  It's not the greatest or the worst place to go.  Just like everywhere else, it has it's moments.  The best thing for me is that it is close to home and it's always the first place to freeze and the last to thaw out around here.  I guess because it's narrow and protected by a lot of trees and not too deep it usually freezes real quick.  When you go to the back end of the lake it's all surrounded by trees and kind of nice.  There are definitely some bass and mostly Pickeral in there.  Stay away from the Dam area.  That almost never freezes and can be dicey at times.  Everywhere else the ice is usually pretty uniform.  I hear from some of the old guys there over the years that the lake itself is really old.  There used to actually be a Mill there on the lake like 100 years ago.  It's worth a try once in a while.  Good luck if you go.

[Pomoxis]

Thanks Buk,
I really appreciate the detailed reply! 8)