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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
CHANGE IS SCARY BUT IT IS REWARDING ON THE OTHER SIDE!
SURELY MISS MY CTF FRIENDS BUT ALWAYS WILL BE HERE TO GIVE ALL A HARD TIME!