As we close out February, the lakes remain in pretty good shape with about 10-13 inches of ice and we will fish into March. The ice is definitely showing signs of wear and warmer temps coupled with longer days will start to be more impactful on the integrity of the ice. These reports are for your reference only! Always check conditions yourself before heading out onto the ice.

 

 

 

Beechwood- PFBC was here today fixing the big hole that was eroded away at the launch. It’s looking much better now. There is some snow/slush on the lake and access at the launch was no issue. We measured about 13” of ice with clear water conditions.

 

 

Cowanesque- There is almost no snow/slush on top, but the water is quite cloudy near the boat launches. The edge at the launch was softening, but we had no issue getting on the lake, and currently there is no water on the edge. Ice measured about 13” here as well

 

Hammond- Today was the busiest I’ve seen Hammond in a while with quite a few people fishing off the launch and some towards the primitive camping area. There’s a crust of frozen snow/slush on to, and we measured about 12” of ice with fairly good water clarity.

 

Hills Creek State Park- A few people were fishing out around the middle of the lake. There is a little more snow/slush frozen on top here and you will crunch through it. The water appeared very clear and we measured about 11” of ice off the stumps end.

 

Hamilton- the lake is locked up end to end and edges looked good for the most part. The creek has thinner ice and the dock area was frozen to get on, but not great ice. We had no issue getting on the lake, but tomorrow and Saturday’s warmer weather could change that. Access to the right of the launch is likely better. Out on the lake, we measure about 13” of ice.

 

Nessmuk- A few people were fishing on both ends of the lake. No issue getting on at the dock and it was an easy walk. The snow/slush has compacted and refrozen, leaving about an inch of junk ice over top of about 12” of better ice.

 

The Mansfield University tournament has been moved to Nessmuk this Saturday.  See our Facebook page for more details here- MU Ice Tournament Flyer

 

Conditions can change quickly in the late season. Always check conditions and be aware of your surroundings.

 

Good luck and be safe out there!

Overall, ice is in good shape still across the county with 10-13 inches or so of ice. Snow/Slush/Water on top varies from lake to lake. The edges were solid on all of the lakes, except Hamilton. Water clarity also varies lake to lake.

 

 

We’re coming down to the final weeks of ice fishing. Get out and enjoy it while you can. These reports are for your reference only! ALWAYS check conditions yourself, before heading out on onto the lakes.

 

 

Beechwood- A few groups were fishing here today and there was no issue getting on at the launch. It’s a little sloppy on top with about 13” of ice with stained water. Beechwood was stocked this week and there is a large hole just off the concrete to the left of the launch. This will likely glaze over tonight. Trout season is closed, but both Beechwood and Hamilton are open to year round fishing. Trout cannot be harvested until the season reopens.

 

 

Cowanesque- The edge at the south shore launch was hard and we had no issue getting on the lake. Ice was about 13.5” with little slush on top here. The west end, and other spots on the lake, appear to some slush/snow still. There is some random debris scattered on the ice and the water was fairly dirty/milky.

 

 

Hammond- No issue getting on at the main boat launch. There is some water pooled up in spots, but overall, there is very little slush on the lake with just under 12” of ice and slightly stained water

 

 

 

Hills Creek State Park- We stopped at the Pines launch and it is quite sloppy at the launch, but the water appears mostly clear and we had no issue getting on. We measured about 10” of ice with some slush on top. A few people were fishing off the stumps end.

 

 

Hamilton Lake- The creek mouth is blown out and dirty. There was a few people fishing near the tower that accessed from the dam end. The lake is up a bit with water on top. We were unable to get on the lake anywhere near the launch and did not check the lower end parking by the dam. We’ll take a look again next week.

 

 

Nessmuk- A few people were fishing and there’s some slush/water on top with about 10.5 inches of ice. The water has a slight stain to it. The edge is solid at the launch and looked to be in good shape around the lake.

It’s been a COLD month and snow on the ice has kept conditions from changing much in the past few weeks. Across the county, we measured roughly 10-15” of ice. Snow varies from lake to lake and warmer temps next week should help melt much of it down. The Beechwood Lake Ice Fishing Tournament hosted by CV Anglers is this Saturday. Tackle Shack will be open at 5AM for all of your live bait and ice fishing needs.

 

 

These reports are for your reference only. Always check conditions yourself before heading out onto the ice.

 

 

Beechwood Lake- There is about 14” of ice with 4-5” of snow on top. There is a slight crust on top of some of the ice. Be aware the parking lot is a little slick. There is some ice underneath the snow. A few people were fishing today

 

 

Cowanesque Lake- We stopped at the South Shore boat launch and measured 14” of ice with 3-4 inches of snow.

 

 

Hammond Lake- Off the main launch, we measured 12” of ice with a little less snow. 2-3 inches or so on top and some of it has been packed down coming off the ramp. People have been fishing down around Pine Camp over the past week too.

 

 

Hills Creek State Park - We stopped at the Pines Launch and measured 10” of ice. A handful of people were fishing closer to the stumps end. There’s roughly 3-4 inches of snow on top.

Hamilton- No issue getting on at the boat launch. The parking lot by the dam is not plowed, but people have been using that as well. Off the launch, we marked roughly 15” of clear ice. A lot of the snow has compacted down, or blown off in this area, but there are a few deeper drifts. We had probably 2-3” of snow, with a little more in some spots.

 

 

Nessmuk Lake- There is a lot of frozen slush/snow at the launch. It’s solid, but uneven to walk on. 3-4” or so of snow with a crust on top. The ice is in great shape with about 12” of ice. There’s a slight stain to the water near the ramp.

 

 

Good luck and be safe out there!

It’s a beautiful day in Tioga County and the ice is in great shape as we head into the weekend. Snow has settled some and there is anywhere from 3-7ish inches on top of all the lakes. The Corps lakes have a few spots of newer ice with less snow too. Most of the parking lots have good access, but be aware there are some slick spots still. These reports are for your reference only. Always check conditions yourself before heading out on the ice.

 

 

Beechwood Lake- No issues getting on the lake and the ice is in great shape measuring just under 13” with about 5” of snow on top. A few people have been fishing these past few days.

 

 

Cowanesque Lake- The lake is completely frozen and we measured about 12” of clear ice off the south shore boat launch. Roughly 3-5” of snow here and the wind was blowing it around today.

 

Hammond Lake- Hammond finally appears completely frozen. The spots that were open last week have less snow cover and newer ice. At the main boat launch, we measured just under 11” of ice. Roughly 3-4 inches of snow on top

 

 

Hills Creek State Park – We stopped at the beaver huts launch and found just over 10” of ice and about 5-7ish” of snow covering it.

 

 

Hamilton Lake- The parking area by the dam is not plowed, but a few people have been fishing off this area. No issue coming in off the boat launch. We measured just over 12” of ice and about 5” of snow on top.

 

 

Nessmuk Lake – No issue getting on the lake at the boat launch. We measured about 11” of ice with roughly 6” of snow on top. A few people were out and reported a good bite this week. Bluegills continue to be hot here!

 

 

It’s going to be a great weekend for ice fishing. Get out and enjoy it! Temps look great to keep the lakes frozen through the next month and into March <img class="xz74otr x15mokao x1ga7v0g x16uus16 xbiv7yw" src="https://static.xx.fbcdn.net/images/emoji.php/v9/t7f/1/16/1f60a.png" alt="