Extended cold weather this winter created a rare opportunity for ice fishing on Long Island, an event that hasn’t been seen in nearly a decade.
This past week, several lakes and ponds across Long Island developed ice exceeding 4 inches in thickness, safe enough for outdoor winter activities. Even the island’s largest freshwater body, Lake Ronkonkoma, boasted ice 6 inches thick or more. This uncommon occurrence brought out crowds for hockey, ice skating, fishing, and even ice boating.
A Long-Awaited Freeze
For nearly eight years, winters have been too mild to produce ice thick enough for safe recreation on Lake Ronkonkoma. However, a recent deep freeze dropped temperatures low enough to solidify even parts of Great South Bay, temporarily halting ferry services to and from Fire Island.
Winter enthusiasts eagerly took to the ice. Among them was Sean Conway, who shared his ice fishing adventure on social media, showcasing scenes from Eastern Long Island. In shallow waters, small tungsten jigs tipped with mealworms and plastic grubs successfully attracted yellow perch. Fishing started at 28 feet of depth and shifted to 6 feet, where a school of perch provided plenty of action. The fish were small, but the ultra-light tackle added excitement to every catch.
Tools of the Trade
A modest setup, including a 13 Fishing Tickle Stick paired with a Black Betty Freefall Ghost inline reel, was used for the day. A hand auger proved sufficient for drilling through the ice, which was thin enough to make manual drilling practical. The process took about a minute per hole, and teamwork made the task even quicker.
Alongside the auger, an ice scooper served double duty as a slush remover and a fish ruler. While powered augers are often preferred, Long Island’s ice rarely reaches a thickness that necessitates them.
Conditions and Ice Safety
Unfortunately, the cold snap is unlikely to sustain safe ice conditions. With temperatures rising above freezing during the day and dipping only into the upper 20s at night, the ice on Lake Ronkonkoma may not last much longer. However, the season isn’t over, and February could bring another freeze.
For those venturing onto the ice, practicing safety is paramount. Always check the ice thickness and avoid taking unnecessary risks.
This rare chance for ice fishing on Long Island highlights the unpredictability of winter weather in the region and the enthusiasm of anglers and winter sports enthusiasts when such opportunities arise.
Image/Source: OnTheWater
