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February 6, 2010

Ice anglers finally getting what they want

By DAN LADD, Adirondack Hunting & Fishing Report

It took awhile, but I've finally gotten out on the ice the past two weekends.

Some of the lakes in the Adirondacks, especially at higher elevations, have been iced over for some time. But other than the bays, most of the bigger lakes like Lake Champlain and Lake George have progressed a little more slowly.

Therefore, two buddies and I headed for a smaller lake known for jack-perch, northern pike and even some black crappie. We figured we'd set some tip-ups for the northerns and see if we could find the crappie suspended, and we could always jig for perch off the bottom.

We never found the crappie, jigged up a few perch and caught some smaller northerns, as well. I even jigged up an 18-inch northern on one of my perch rigs, which was quite a thrill on a light jig pole.

Then that big rainstorm came in that was accompanied by record warm temperatures. I didn't hurt the established ice too much but it did put the skids to the Lake George ice machine, temporarily. By week's end the cold weather was making some ice and the wind died down just enough to button up most of the south basin around Lake George Village.

So last Sunday I was out there with a full set of tip-ups, jigging rods and my portable shanty hoping to ice some lake trout and perhaps a salmon, which come sparingly these days on Lake George. The fish were finicky. Twice I had flags on one of my salmon rigs only to find nothing on the end but a very healthy minnow. Same deal on a laker rig, although just before dark I lost a small laker not far from the hole.

I walked off the ice feeling a little frustrated. But, that's fishing. Other than one keeper caught early on, the guys fishing around me didn't have a single flag, so I guess I should consider myself lucky. They blamed it on the full moon! Overall it was a beautiful day to be out there, especially around sunset.

Speaking of northern pike, there have been some real beauties coming of the ice from all over the Adirondacks. I won't mention the lake, but a friend of mine and his buddy have both pulled northerns around 40 inches (or bigger) from one particular lake. They are both professional musicians and work nights, allowing them to fish during the day. Two other guys I know have been nailing big pike in the southern portions of Lake Champlain.

As for me, I'm waiting for Lake George to get where I feel comfortable out there and I can tell you it's not 3 inches of ice. I prefer 6 inches or more, which is what I found on the south basin, which isn't my normal fishing area. I hoping to get that ice this weekend and will be dropping those tip-ups into some deep water.

Hopefully I'll find the lakers.

Dan Ladd is the author of "Deer Hunting in the Adirondacks," outdoors editor for the Glens Falls Chronicle, columnist for Outdoors Magazine and contributor to New York Outdoor News. Contact him at www.adkhunter.com.

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