New York State Has Some Of The Best Ice Fishing In The USA

As much as we have been complaining about how brutal this winter has been compared to the past few years, there are a few good things that came out of the snow and extreme cold temperatures.

For those who love to ski, snowboard, and go snowmobiling, this has certainly been your season with the amount of snow we've experienced so far.

And while you may not think anything good can come from the extreme cold temperatures, well, if you like to go ice fishing, you have been in luck.

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On Valentine's Day, February 14th, the (almost) annual Crappie Derby was able to go on due to the perfect conditions on the lake at Whitney Point, after several winters where the ice wasn't at the level it needed to be for safety.

According to the NYS DEC, the guidelines for going out on the ice safely require a minimum of 4 inches for ice fishing, 5 inches for a snowmobile or ATV, 8 to 12 inches for a car or small pickup, and 12 to 15 inches minimum for a medium truck.

Whitney Point Lake is one of many great places for ice fishing in New York State when the conditions are just right. As a matter of fact, according to the website Fish USA, New York State is recognized as one of the best states in the U.S.A. for ice fishing.

The website notes that some of the best species to ice fish include lake trout, perch, pike, walleye, and panfish.

Fish USA points out a few of the best places for ice fishing in New York State, including the Finger Lakes and Adirondack regions for panfish, trout, and landlocked salmon. Other great locations include Oneida Lake, which is just north of Syracuse, for jumbo lake perch and walleye, and Lake Champlain in Northern New York for trout, pike, and perch.

This has been your year if you love to ice fish. If you want to learn about ice fishing, visit the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation website. Happy fishing!

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