Hi Folks, It has been solid month of ice fishing. Lots of safe ice throughout Vermont. The lakes I have been fishing have anywhere from 8” to 10” of black ice. Plenty safe to walk on. Mixing up the fishing between chasing northern pike and trout. The Northern Pike fishing has been much more consistent than the trout fishing. We have setting up off weed beds. I like bottom drop offs adjacent to large weed beds. Setting most our sets just off the bottom in both hard and soft bottomed areas. I suspend baits above weed beds when fishing in the thick stuff. Live large Golden Shiners or small yellow perch on tip-ups have worked well. The jig fishing for Pike and Perch has been solid. Hali jigs are my favorite. I tip them with maggots or minnows. Fire Tiger has been the most consistent color scheme for Pike and Perch. When jig fishing for smelt, I have found small Hali jigs in silver, green/gold, and glow in the dark patterns have worked well. You need electronics to locate the smelt. Especially if they are suspended. The smelt fishing has been best at dusk into evening. I like employing a green light to draw then in to my holes. I have fished for rainbows and browns several times with limited success. Been setting small minnows and smelt just under the ice on drops and long points. Even setting a nice juicy night crawler just under the hole.Going to change directions fish different lakes in the NE Kingdom. Getting ready to go walleye fishing. Late afternoon into evening is best for chasing old Mr. Marble Eye. Lots of fishing opportunities right now. Remember to clean your gear and leave the non-native species at home. Have Fun, Willy
