As most Central New Yorkers brace for plunging temperatures, ice anglers are welcoming the cold with open arms. A powerful blast of Arctic air is settling into the region, and for those who love fishing through the ice, it could not have arrived at a better time. The brutal chill is locking in already solid ice conditions and setting the stage for an exceptional ice fishing season across Upstate New York.
On Oneida Lake, one of the region’s most popular hardwater destinations, the transformation has been dramatic. After a stretch of rain and unstable weather briefly damaged shoreline ice, conditions have rebounded quickly. According to local bait shop staff, the lake is healing fast and building ice at an impressive rate.
David Groth, manager of Apps bait shop in Cleveland on the north shore of Oneida Lake, said the recent weather has turned things around. While rain and rising water caused problems earlier, the cold snap is restoring confidence. Fellow Apps employee Paul Sorensen believes the season could stretch well into February if current trends continue.
Visual proof of the improving conditions comes from drone footage captured by local angler Joe Woznica. His aerial survey of Oneida Lake earlier this week revealed fishable ice spanning the lake from shore to shore. Compared to recent winters, the difference is striking. At the same time in 2024, some areas barely had three inches of ice. This year, sections of the lake are already measuring more than 12 inches thick.
Woznica notes that cold temperatures are no longer the concern. Snow is now the primary variable anglers are watching, as heavy accumulation can slow ice formation. Still, with the forecast calling for sustained frigid weather, ice quality is expected to continue improving.
Bait shop owners across the region are echoing that optimism. Francis Daher, co-owner of Mickey’s Live Bait and Tackle in North Syracuse, summed up the season with a single word: awesome. He says the incoming cold air should solidify ice across major lakes and keep it safe for extended periods.
What makes this season stand out even more is how early anglers were able to get onto the ice. In recent years, lakes like Oneida, Otisco, and Cayuga typically did not offer consistent, fishable ice until mid-January. This winter, some shallow bays on Oneida Lake were already seeing anglers before Christmas, something locals say has not happened in a long time.
With more ice and a longer season comes increased demand at bait shops. Stores throughout the area are well stocked with staples like fathead minnows, shiners, buckeyes, grubs, wax worms, and spikes. Still, anglers are encouraged to plan ahead and check in frequently.
According to Daher, bait shortages can happen during long seasons, but tackle shortages are the bigger concern this year. Wholesale distributors have been cautious with inventory after several poor ice seasons left them holding unsold stock. As a result, popular tackle items are selling out quickly and can be difficult to replace once gone.
Veteran ice angler Don Therre, who has been drilling holes on Oneida Lake for more than six decades, says conditions are shaping up to be among the best he has seen in years. He expects ice thickness to approach 20 inches, something the lake has not seen in a long time. Better yet, the fish are biting, and local businesses are benefiting from the surge in activity.
Image/Source: syracuse
