There is plenty of Adirondack ice fishing to go around for everyone as the Adirondack Mountains in upstate New York have over 3,000 lakes and ponds within the Adirondack Park boundaries.
I can’t possibly cover them all. So for now I’ll stay close to home. That is, the Loon Lake, Schroon Lake, Brant Lake, Friends Lake and Lake George area.
I actually haven’t been ice fishing since I was a kid. But after speaking with many folks in the Adirondacks that do, I just might take it up again.
It seems like there are two types of people, those that love ice fishing and those that hate the thought of it. (Why would anyone in the world want to go out in the cold winter weather and just sit there?) But I’m willing to bet that over 90% of those that don’t like ice fishing have never actually tried it.
For those of you who are experienced in the sport there is not much I can tell you. Except, if you are vacationing from out of the area, perhaps the types of fish waiting to be caught in the different lakes or ponds. (… I’ll get to that in a moment).
But for those people that are new to ice fishing and would like to give it a try, let me start with the basics.
Ice fishing is defined by wikipedia as “the activity of catching fish with lines and fish hooks or spears through an opening in the ice on a frozen body of water. Ice anglers may sit on a stool in the open on a frozen lake, or in a heated cabin on the ice, some with bunks and amenities.”
If new to ice fishing make sure you are familiar with the rule book you get with your fishing license. Also, there are several local tackle shops that will help you choose the appropriate bait and gear.
Being prepared for ice fishing, like making sure you have the right clothing and equipment, is the answer to an enjoyable and successful day.
Ice fishing can be as basic as just sitting by the hole and “jigging” your line through it, to having some basic shelter from the wind called a “tip-up”, or ice fishing from a warm comfortable heated fishing hut.
You can find many remote Adirondack ponds where you would be “one with nature” with nobody around. Just you, the birds, the animals, the fish, and of course the awesome beauty of the Adirondack scenery.
When the weather is right you can also see whole ice fishing villages emerge on the lakes (… especially Lake George) during the winter. It’s an amazing site to see!
Ice fishing technology has significantly changed over the last couple of decades. People used to fish at one whole (maybe two) and just hope there were fish nearby. While others knew the best spots by experience. But even then it could be hit or miss.
Today the technology is simply amazing for taking much of the guesswork out of where the fish are located. Often individual ice fisherman will drill 50 to 100 holes (…. or more!).
The augers are very fast and easy to use. Sonar technology allows fisherman to easily find where the fish are once they stop biting from any particular hole. This enables a much bigger daily catch than in years past. This also increases the chances for amateurs to have a rewarding day of ice fishing.
The Loon Lake, Schroon Lake, Brant Lake, Friends Lake and Lake George region offers a assortment fish such as Yellow Perch, Walleye, Lake Trout, and Northern Pike just to mention a few.
There are many ice fishing contests on the various lakes throughout the winter months. They are a lot of fun! If that is something that interests you make sure you visit our events page often.
Below is a list of the fish species you can catch at some of the lakes and ponds around the Loon Lake area. There are also several other lakes nearby and numerous ponds (…too many to mention them all!).
Loon Lake Adirondack Ice Fishing:
- Pumpkinseed
- Yellow perch
- Northern pike
Brant Lake Adirondack Ice Fishing:
- Pumpkinseed
- Bluegill
- Yellow perch
- Brown trout
- Chain pickerel
- Rainbow trout
Schroon Lake Adirondack Ice Fishing:
- Lake trout
- Landlocked salmon
- Northern pike
- Chain pickerel
- Yellow perch
- Pumpkinseed
- Smelt
Friends Lake Adirondack Ice Fishing:
- Northern pike
- Pumpkinseed
- Bluegill
- Yellow perch
- Walleye
Lake George Adirondack Ice Fishing:
- Lake trout
- Landlocked salmon
- Rainbow trout
- Brown trout
- Northern pike
- Chain pickerel
- Black crappie
- Yellow perch
- Bluegill
- Pumpkinseed
The official ice fishing season runs from November 15th – April 30th (March 15 – for northern pike, pickerel, tiger, muskellunge and walleye).
But the ice may not be safe (…or even exist) until January. Plus the temperatures in the Adirondack Mountains often fluctuate from day to day. Below zero one day and well above freezing the next.
I generally won’t go on the ice unless it has been well below freezing for a few days in a row. Plus I watch for snowmobiles on the ice (…lots of them!). If they are out there the ice is usually safe.
