The long awaited ice fishing season is finally here -but mostly on northern waters

For those anglers who like to walk on water, the long-awaited ice fishing season is somewhat underway. 

Despite four days of below freezing temperatures this week, the only hardwater action is on the northern, Pocono area lakes and ponds.

Mike’s Bait and Tackle in Nazareth (610-759-205) said that Minsi Lake should have some ice but it’s unknown how much as Mike hasn’t had any reports from there. But he did get reports from Promised Land and Belmont lakes where anglers have been ice fishing there. Belmont reported to have 5 inches. Up in Luzerne County, Lake Lilly had a reported 10 inches while Lake Jean in Sullivan County had 4-5 inches. Tobyhanna had 2 inches by the shore, one inch farther out and Gouldsboro has three inches. 

Chris at Chris’s Outdoor Sports in Mertztown (610-682-4129) said Ontelaunee Reservoir in Berks County has some ice but it’s thin and not safe. Up at Leaser Lake it’s merely skim ice. He recommends the Pocono lakes like Promised Land reportedly has 4-5 inches while Brady’s had 2-3 inches of ice. Anglers may want to try IceShanty.com for updated reports. 

With the forecast for next week reporting warmer day time temperatures, it’s best to be patient and allow the ice to thicken before going out. 

According to the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission (PFBC), ice forms at different rates on each body of water depending upon the size and water depth. Once frozen, conditions change constantly and ice thickness can vary across the lake. Rocks, trees, docks or other things that poke through the ice will conduct heat and make the ice around it less stable. If the ice doesn’t look right, don’t go on it. 

In addition, a blanket of snow atop an ice-covered lake insulates the ice, slowing the growth of ice and hides the potential hazards or weak spots. Ice with a bluish color is safer than clear ice. But the PFBC says to avoid slushy or honey-combed ice and stay away from dark spots on the ice and where snow cover looks discolored.  

The PFBC offers these added ice fishing safety tips:

*Keep in mind, no ice is 100 percent safe.
*New ice is usually stronger than old ice. 
*Don’t go out alone and let someone know where you’re going and when you will return.
*Check ice thickness as you go out as there could be pockets of thin ice or places where ice recently formed. 
*Avoid off-colored snow or ice as it’s usually a sign of weakness. 
*The insulating effect of snow slows the freezing process.

And when you do go, take along some bare essentials like ice picks to help you crawl out if the ice breaks and you fall in, a floating safety rope, a whistle to call for help, extra dry clothes including a pair of gloves, and hand warmers.

​Veteran ice anglers know to wear ice cleats on their boots, take a plastic bucket to hold your small items like tip-ups, jigging rods, bait and other tackle, plus you can sit on top of it while jigging. Some anglers also use a sled to carry these tackle items and an ice drill/auger or spud bar onto the ice. And regarding bait, it’s mainly minnows and waxworms plus jigs.  

{Ed. Note} As of Saturday afternoon, there was a report of a scuba team arriving at Ontelaunee Reservoir for an angler falling through the ice. No further reports were received.