Outdoor Journal: The latest from the outdoors

PHOTOGRAPHER: Photo Provided

This pickup truck shows the hazards of driving your vehicle onto a body of water for ice fishing.

On my way home from the annual Bunny Bowl on the first of January, I decided to take a look at Carters Pond and at Cossayuna Lake, and I saw several ice fishermen about 40-50 yards off shore cutting holes with gas operated ice augers.

It looked like the ice was about six inches thick. When I spoke to them, they said they were fishing in about 12 feet of water and were jigging up small bluegills using spikes. However, when they moved into the area where the Whittaker Brook feeds in, they caught small perch and more bluegills. Also, on the way home I saw a number of vehicles on the side of Union Avenue near woods leading to Lake Lonely. The fish must be biting.

If you are interested, the Fish House Fish and Game Club at Great Sacandaga Lake is holding an ice fishing contest on Saturday, Feb. 9. Fishing will be from 6 a.m.-4 p.m., and the entry fee is $25 at the lake and $20 if you want to pre-enter.

The weigh-in begins at 7 a.m. at the Town of Providence parking lot located a quarter-mile north of Fish House Corners, County Road 110. There will be cash awards for walleyes ($500, $250, $100), Northern pike ($250, $150, $100) and perch ($250, $150, $100), and $150 for the biggest trout.

For early registration and information go to www.fhfgc.org or call 518-883-8489.

SAFE ICE

Here is a little information on the ice thickness table for new, clear, ice only: two inches — stay off; four inches — ice fishing or other activities on foot; five inches — snowmobile or ATV; and the last two that I will NEVER do, 8-12 inches — car or small pickup; 12-15 inches — medium truck. I have included a photo of why I will not drive my vehicle on the ice.

Another caution are areas where “bubblers” are used protecting docks. They can produce thin, unsafe ice some distance away.

Also, be aware of areas near shore, over moving bodies of water and on lakes and ponds where streams enter or exit. If you have a good day pulling up fish through the hole in the ice, be sure to send me information of your success for my FISH TALES. Be sure to tell me where you fished, your name, and city where you live. Send it to me at [email protected].

DEC

While on patrol in Queens County, ECOs Matthew Thibodeau and Jacob Jankowski observed two men floating on a homemade wooden raft on Willow Lake in Flushing Meadows-Corona Park. The raft was in a spot known for illegal fishing, and Thibodeau and Jankowski observed the subjects using a combination of gill and dip nets to land multiple fish.

Freshwater lakes in Region 2 (New York City) are catch-and-release only for any species other than snakeheads, and the use of gill nets are strictly prohibited. As the individuals walked out of the cattails with their catch, the ECOs approached. The officers found the anglers in possession of two large bags and a cooler full of common carp.

Neither fisherman possessed a freshwater fishing license, and all of the fish had been caught illegally. A total of 35 common carp, two white perch, and two gill nets were seized. The fishermen were issued five summonses each, including fishing without a freshwater license, failure to release fish without undue harm, fishing contrary to regulations, fishing by means other than angling, and insufficient PFDs. All of the summonses are returnable to Queens County Court in March.

My question is … Why would you want a cooler full of carp?

TU BANQUET

The Clearwater Chapter of Trout Unlimited will host its 47th annual conservation banquet at The Century House in Latham on Saturday, March 9.

This event is open to everyone. Tickets can be purchased on their website (clearwatertu.org) up to March 1. Dinner, cash bar, hors d’oeuvres and awards recognition are planned for the banquet.

There will be a grand prize drawing of a 12-foot Kevlar Hybrid Canoe by Hornbeck Boats. All proceeds from the event will benefit local “on the ground” conservation projects that support coldwater fisheries resources.

LEARN TO TIE

On Feb. 2, the Capital District Fly Fishers will hold a Fly Tie-A-Thon at the VFW Post 8692 located on 140 VFW Drive in Colonie. Free admission and free lunch for all tyers (bring your tying tools, hooks and materials) are supplied.

Guests are welcome, and admission is $5, and $5 for lunch. Flies will be donated to Protect Healing Waters. For more information and pre-registration call John Prokroym at 518-869-7563.

OUTDOORSMAN SHOW

Mike Hauser’s 14 th Annual Outdoorsman Show will take place the weekend of Feb. 9-10 at the Johnstown Moose Club at 109 South Comrie Avenue (Rte. 30A). Show times are Saturday 10 a.m.-6 p.m. and Sunday 10 a.m.-5 p.m. This is truly a hunting, fishing and outdoors show.

There will be a number of featured guests, industry experts and outdoor authors. There will be a “Take Me Fishing & Hunting Raffle” with prizes consisting of guided fishing and hunting trips from professional NYS guides and outdoors equipment.

Admission is $5 for adults and $1 for children under 16. For more information go to adkshow.com or contact Mike at 518-725-5565. Don’t miss this one – this is a good one.

Contact Ed Noonan at [email protected].