January 2024 ice conditions thread

Freeze, baby, freeze!!!!

Went by Candlewood in Danbury today, totally open.

Thanks.

I live on the Marlborough/Glastonbury line. Consider it central east of the river. Closest water to me is Marlbough Lake(private,residents only) but I stopped to see how the ice was doing as a guide to other spots.
Ice was not safe as the edges were still showing water. There was ice but it is definitely not safe.
I could see open water in the middle of pond.
Last week the lake was wide open and there were two guys fishing from yaks.
Be safe out there.

John, thanks for the update.

Texted with Mike G. this a.m., who said Highland is safe. He's checking on a few other locations today.

For real ?

That is indeed what he said.

First bay of Highland is safe with 3" to 4" of ice,second bay been iced over since Monday but not sure how thick. Also checked Lake Buel and Garfield which appear safe.

Thanks, Mike.

Eagerly awaiting hearing about Winchester.

Left Milford looking for ice in places I have fished.

Mondo pond Milford



Zoar at kettletown


Lili, steel bridge



Finally walked on water in unknown New Milford pond. Only about 2 inches and you can see the crack caused when drilling. Gonna give it another try in a couple of days.

Thanks.

Ice shanty reports bigelow has 3 inches and guys were fishing.
.

Go get it! The unknown New Milford Pond I used to frequent should be ready soon!

Nice, Bob, I also enjoy your Clamming reports too!

Be careful gents, someone took a swim yesterday according to one of the bait shops- per ice shanty

Went by the Danbury Town Park yesterday and there was only ice about half way out to the Island, not good.

I stopped by a local pond today which I use as my guide to safe ice.
This pond was safe yesterday.
Today, the ice is covered with slush and there is water showing already.
BE EXTRA CAREFUL with these warm temps, rain and fog.

I fished Bantam Mon & Tuesday both full days pre-sunrise to sunset.

Friday prob about 80% of the center of the lake was open water.

Mon some access areas against shore and out even 40’ from shore had 2.5-3”

The main ice was 5”-6” of ice over 4’-16’ of water.

Tues it was sleeting-raining-sleeting and a slush and free standing water was building up on top right before sunset. The Tues morning hard as a rock ice was mushy and had some give to it just before sunset Tues. The ice has to get a lot worse all thru last night and def thru all of today. Tomorrow it’s supposed be about 53*F at Bantam and a very mild 40*F night.

I don’t plan to fish anywhere on the ice in CT until another long freezing cold snap. It will prob be into the mid or end of the 1st week of February at a minimum before there is safe ice in CT.

Stay Safe & no fish is worth risking your life, others lives and rescue teams.

Exactly why I wanted to make sure I got out at least once last weekend.

Let's hope for a return to cold!

These were my ice conditions last week on the Delaware Bay

Great early Spring Tog Bite down there, look up Fishing Fever charters his videos show them catching big Togs on wrecks off Cape May area and Delaware!

Yes I was anchored next to him when I went drum fishing for the first time and got a 50 pounder. He was actually an idiot. His anchor hung up and he tried for like 15 minutes to get it. After cutting the line he took off and waked me real, real bad! He was swearing loudly when he cut the anchor.

Looking at the long range forecast (15 day) only 1 day at 39, all the rest above 40, not making any ice like that.

Does look good for open water at Candlewood thou.

If you find safe ice Fri-Wed HIT IT !!!!!……who knows when or IF we’ll have ice after Wed starts warm days and warm NIGHTS!!!!