Ice fishing is stable despite warmer temps

Despite the last weeks warming temperatures and rain, ice fishing is still ongoing. And the rain and warmth didn’t affect ice conditions that much especially up north in the Pocono area according to Chris from Chris’s Bait & Tackle in Mertztown. 

Chris said Leaser Leaser Lake has 4-6 inches of good ice except near the dam where’s there’s open water. At Ontelaunee Reservoir, it has 4-6 inches of ice and most anglers are buying and using minnows, shiners and waxworms there. In fact, Chris said he’s sold over 15,000 waxworms since the season started. Also in Berks County, Chris said Antietam Lake has some ice. 

Up at Shohola Lake in the Poconos, there’s a good 7.5 inches while Francs Slocum has 6 inches and fishing good for bluegills and crappie on Gulp 2-inch minnows.  

Brady’s Lake has 7-8 inches while Mauch Chunk Lake had 7 inches but there was lots of open water there but launch No. 8 had decent ice. Upper Woods Lake had 7 inches. And lastly, Lackawanna State Park Lake had 8 inches with a few sizable largemouths and decent size perch hitting tip-ups. 

So the ice bite is still on and should get better in upcoming days when the weather cools. 
If you consider yourself a pretty good ice angler, you may want to ply your knowledge at Nanticoke Conservation Club’s 29th Annual Ice Fishing Derby at Francis Slocum State Park Lake. The derby is set for Saturday, Feb, 7 running from 8 a.m. – 1 p.m. Pre-registration can be done by emailing “[email protected].” Provide your name and phone number for each person attending and please provide the age of anyone 15 and younger. 

Cash prizes for the heaviest fish are in the following categories:

Bass (15-inch minimum), perch, crappie, bluegill, pickerel and trout. A special prize for the heaviest fish of any the categories caught by anyone 15 and younger. Cash prizes are based on the number of participants. 

Weigh-in begins at 12:30 p.m. and failure to be at the weigh-in by 1 p.m. results in disqualification. 

Some of the prizes include 1st prize; a Ruger 10/22 semi-auto .22LR w/10 round rotary magazine and walnut stock; 2nd; Members Mark 4 Burner Griddle; 3rd; Walker’s Razor Xtreme Electronic Earmuff; 4th; 2-pack Muddy10,000 mAh Electronic Handwarmer/Powerbank; 5th; Humminbird ICE-45 Flasher; 6th; Cabela’s Pursuit Ground Blind and Chair, 7th: Frabill Universal Bait Station Cooler w/Aerator; 8th, Clam Drill Plate Pro; 9th, Outdoor Edge 6-pc Pro Game processing knife set; 10; NEBO LED Flashlight /Lantern/Headlamp Set and more. 
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Derby entry costs for adults (16 and older), $10, Junior (10-15 years old), $5, Children 9 and younger are Free. 

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