Sk8man

I was out on Honeoye today and although there is good hard ice of 3 to 3 1/2inches out from Trident Marine the area right at the ramp at the edge of the lake has a bubbler which sends currents under the ice so care needs to be exercised there in getting out there. It was a bit slushy on top tonight in that area when we came in. I stayed within 12 ft of water on the east side and there were some folks out further and they reported spots where there was only 2 inches of ice out towards the middle. It was open water last week there. The ice is too thin to go way south to where the good perch fishing is (toward the middle of the lake across from California Ranch etc.). I didn't go to the south end so I don't have a handle on conditions there. I saw a few guys north of me out from Sandy Bottom but didn't talk with them so details are unknown. As far as the fishing goes I was after big gills and only caught a few of them and had to work VERY hard for each one as most fish came up to the jig/bait and looked at it and went back down or away. Multiple jig changes and variety of bait didn't change that. The other guys I spoke with all reported the same thing (8 people). I caught some small ones that were returned but the few large ones came on very small jigs and during a short period right before dark (the bite). P.S. I wear a "float suit" Les

Some research has pointed to the fact that the color line itself acts as an actual BARRIER for fish inside it because of subtle temp differences that influence the water density. The increased turbidity also contains microorganisms stirred up from the sediment (as well as worms, and other critters so that opportunistic feeding circumstances are there for the fish as well so they may well be in a feeding state when your lure passes by and the brighter colored lures are more easily seen.

ZOOM55 :Right now the ice is a real question mark in many of the popular places because of the bizarre thaw last week. Even the best places should be approached with caution right now. When ice reintegrates from a thaw it is usually irregular in thickness and dangerous. I would say that right now wait until you see other folks out there with their tents and huts before venturing forth yourself. Honeoye Lake may be ready in the next few days especially at the south end. Conesus is being fished right now at Lakeville (5 huts today on the webcam at least). A little bit of advice from an "old timer": 1) Never go by yourself, if possible go with someone experienced first couple times till you get the hang of it....it really is a "specialized" type of fishing and its not for everyone Stay away from creeks, streams or rivers entering the lake. Stay far away from ANY open water or "bubble-ups or bubblers around docks even if it looks like a small spot. Never go anywhere near the edge of ice where it meets open water no matter how tempting. Ice is almost always weak around docks or posts in the water. 2)carry a spud (to check the thickness of the ice with and possibly to straddle the hole if you go in), 3) carry a pair if "ice handles" (e.g. two 4 or 5 inch pieces of broomstick sections with nail spikes in the ends of them - cut off the nail heads and file them to a point and tie them together at the other ends with a few feet of parachute cord so if you go in you can crawl out with them), 4) let people know exactly where you are going when you start out 5 go to FAMILIAR places at first until you get some experience. Watch the other fishermen to pick up tips. BS with them and let them know you are just starting and the good ones may feel comfortable sharing at least some of the basics. We can be a "secretive" lot at times. Only believe half of what you hear as far as their stories go Especially regarding the size of the fish 6) Until you are VERY experienced make sure the ice is at least 4 inches thick of good hard ice (test a number of places because it can vary even just a few feet away...carry a rule or tape measure with you in your gear to make sure). 7) Dress in layers and warmer than you think you might need to be especially your feet and head Try to fish with your back to the prevailing wind. You'll stay warmer and be able to see your line move better when the fish bite. 9) When it becomes very warm especially toward the end of the season always keep watch of the shoreline as sometimes it melts near shore and you will be wet going home. 10) Until there are good solid ice conditions (e.g. 6 or 8 inches or so) don't be too anxious to go near groups of folks because if the ice is thin someplace everyone could go through some folks never think about it.... These are VERY BASIC things other guys here may want to pipe in to fill in the blanks - Best of luck!

Sitex used to make some very good high end electronics so hopefullyyou will be a happy camper

Hard to tell. I don't think anyone has been out there to check it (and returned) I've been monitoring the web cam and this morning it looked as though someone was checking it out close to shore in near the launch ramp at the south end but I couldn't make them out clearly on it.

Congratulations! I spent 34 years with the state (NY) and it'll be 11 years I've been retired in June....you'll wonder in some ways why it took you so long to do it once you realize you finally have a little control over your life and what you do with it daily. Good luck with the fishing!

I know this is an "aside" from your main concern but also carefully inspect your downrigger power cables for cracks (often from weathering or UV contact). I've had to replace mine a couple times over the years.....the cracks can lead to shorts in your system especially with a weak ground etc. P.S. It wasn't clear if the riggers were NEW or not...

I hear ya Guff but at least as you noted it wasn't in the middle of the season.....you'd really be going nuts then I look longingly at my boat all wrapped up every time I go outside my garage and can't help but visualize what it would be like to be out there but once the ice is back in gear it may hold me for a little while anyway Les

Sweet! I have to admit I'm pretty envious right now as I've been in between ice fishing and open water fishing and not being able to do either for the past few days Thanks for the report....at least I can visualize myself trolling by the salt plant and turning east to go back around and do it again Les

I'm not familiar with the area you are fishing but If you are ONLY fishing for perch I would be using FATHEAD MINNOWS instead of shiners. While LARGE perch may take a shiner or two they are better suited for bass and pike/pickerel. Perch will much more readily take fatheads in most places and they are usually cheaper too . Although perch will often hit at any time of day they USUALLY are most readily caught in the early AM or just BEFORE dark. Walleyes on the other hand are most frequently caught at night (most of the season anyway) Good luck! Les

Last night was very still and cold and here at Canandaigua Lake anyway what was open water last night about 5 PM now has an inch or so of ice at the north end out to about 500 yds....so things are starting to look good for ice fishing soon on the other shallower/smaller lakes, ponds and bays....can't wait to get back at it

Thanks for the update Guff. Good luck with the motor....man...that has been a real pain hasn't it?

Somehow we have a hard time feelin too sorry for ya Ray....in this 20 degree weather ...and the image of you in yer bathing suit doesn't help any either

The key word is SAFE.....that warm spell probably has compromised all ice and it is now a question of the degree to which it is rebuilding itself up...especially with the snow varying from place to place (which is an insulator). It would seem that we will need some extended freezing cold without significant wind to reintegrate the existing ice to be safe enough to take a chance on. Existing ice will also vary considerably in thickness in a given spot (e.g. 3 inches and 2 ft away 1 inch) so that a false sense of security could easily lead to disaster as well. In short, BE SAFE don't take unnecessary chances folks. (spoken by someone who has experienced first hand going through up to my chin.....luckily in the past). Les

Good going Steve! I sure hope we can get back at it soon....

Probably out fishing in Florida? ....and maybe not catching anything ...otherwise we'd hear it

Looks to me like it is projected to be lower than 2012 until about the same as last year in late May/ early June and then be a little above the 2012 level from then on. The thing is that it all depends on how deep the actual place is where you are because two feet difference down in ten feet of water isn't going to be a problem but where something hasn't been dredged along the shoreline where it is only three ft deep in normal conditions it will be a significant factor. The other thing is siltation.....if the incoming waves are strong during the winter/spring they can bring in a lot of sand/gravel into channel mouths and marinas and if there aren't intentions to dredge these places (or they can't be dredged) it will be a serious problem.

I spoke with my son who lives near the east side of Honeoye today and he was out checking the lake and said that there are many spots of open water in numerous places so it looks as though we may be shore bound for a bit yet.

I hope this might help you with the question: http://www.waterlevels.gc.ca/C&A/glfcst_e.html

Looks like snow on top of the area that looked like open water the other day. I think that what appeared to be open water was actually water on top of the ice.....but then again maybe I'm being a bit optimistic