Anyone fishing this weekend?

[Hookmanski]

Happy new year boys! I work for a major broadcasting company so I've been swamped so far this year and haven't been able to get out for my first outing of 2018. I FINALLY have a weekend off this upcoming weekend, so I'm looking to rip some lips on Saturday!

That being said, I'm not too sure what I'm going to do yet. I've never ice fished before and have no ice fishing gear, but I've always wanted to give it a try. At the same time, with this random heat wave, will the ice still be safe by Saturday?

Alternatively, does anyone know of a spot that still has some open water? Most of my local Hunterdon county spots are still mostly frozen over. I'm pretty much willing to drive anywhere in the state.

If anyone wants to meet up and do some fishing I think that'd be a fun way to start the year! Since joining the site last year I've yet to meet any of you guys in person.

Let me know! Hope everyone has a happy, healthy and safe new year, full of ripped lips. Tight lines!

[Chrisper4694]

a lot of the ice was 9-11" last sunday (probably got thicker until wednesday) 3 days of warmth with some rain won't make it unsafe most likely, but always have to check first. certain streams and rivers might open up for fishing too. saturday night gets cold again.

[Rich196]

Me and the wife are hitting Round Valley this Saturday. We would prefer Spruce Run, but I doubt the lake opened up from the ice yet, so RV it is, and NO, it's not frozen, for some reason it doesn't get iced over much. (thank god for us open water guy's...LOL_) maybe see you out there. Rich

[Hookmanski]

a lot of the ice was 9-11" last sunday (probably got thicker until wednesday) 3 days of warmth with some rain won't make it unsafe most likely, but always have to check first. certain streams and rivers might open up for fishing too. saturday night gets cold again.

Yeah I'm thinking KLG might be ok to try, but I don't have any ice gear or safety gear so I'm not sure if I'd be able to go out on the ice, unless someone didn't mind me tagging along with them!


Me and the wife are hitting Round Valley this Saturday. We would prefer Spruce Run, but I doubt the lake opened up from the ice yet, so RV it is, and NO, it's not frozen, for some reason it doesn't get iced over much. (thank god for us open water guy's...LOL_) maybe see you out there. Rich

RV was my backup plan, but I may end up going there first. Only thing is i don't have a boat, so if I see you I'll be waving from the shoreline!

[Chrisper4694]

rvr is so deep the water just keeps cycling as the water cools and it takes a lot of cold to get a layer on it. I wouldn't choose saturday as your first day to ice fish, it's going to be a wet sloppy mess and probably not that enjoyable haha....unless a giant fish comes to the hole to make it all better :D

[Mark B.]

Yesterday @ RVR: Several shoreline open water anglers on the main res. One @ the main boat ramp said he caught & released a few in the 1PM hour. He had a hit when I was there @ 4:30PM, but didn’t hook up. A boat angler coming in then said he caught & released 1 trout. A 27” brown that he claimed was fat. An ice angler coming off the swimming area caught a pickerel & several yellow perch for dinner. Said the ice was 9”.

[Hookmanski]

Yesterday @ RVR: Several shoreline open water anglers on the main res. One @ the main boat ramp said he caught & released a few in the 1PM hour. He had a hit when I was there @ 4:30PM, but didn’t hook up. A boat angler coming in then said he caught & released 1 trout. A 27” brown that he claimed was fat. An ice angler coming off the swimming area caught a pickerel & several yellow perch for dinner. Said the ice was 9”.

Thanks for the report! After passing by the rivers this morning and seeing how high they are, I think RV is gonna be the spot. If anyone wants to fish I'll be hiking the shoreline for most of the morning and probably into the afternoon. I'm stopping by The Sporting Life around 8 AM when they open to grab a new license and some extra tackle and I'll be heading to the valley from there. Don't be afraid to say hi!

[thmyorke1]

Thanks for the report! After passing by the rivers this morning and seeing how high they are, I think RV is gonna be the spot. If anyone wants to fish I'll be hiking the shoreline for most of the morning and probably into the afternoon. I'm stopping by The Sporting Life around 8 AM when they open to grab a new license and some extra tackle and I'll be heading to the valley from there. Don't be afraid to say hi!

Dont count on me but ill try and see you at Sporting Life :cool:

[FASTEDDIE29]

Tomorrow’s conditions don’t look ideal! I’ll be out regardless! It’s winter! The ice was 12 inches thick yesterday, maybe we lost 2-3 inches which puts me on a nice 9 inches! I’ll be Jigging somewhere guaranteed! Watch the edges and drain holes Ice fishermen! Old 8 inch holes turn into manholes during these warm ups! Be safe and catch em up!!!:D

[Chrisper4694]

Well i was wrong. I couldnt find a way on any ice without a full plank.

[Hookmanski]

Well Thmyorke1 and I met up at the sporting life, got our licenses and headed to RV. Cold and windy, couple other anglers there but no one seemed to be catching anything, including us! Neither of us landed anything, but it was a beautiful morning and was definitely much needed. I checked a few other spots but they were either frozen over still or running real fast, so my first fish of 2018 will have to wait. But Thmyorke1 did give me some of his hand tied smallie jigs!! Thanks again man, it was great meeting and fishing with you!

[thmyorke1]

Well Thmyorke1 and I met up at the sporting life, got our licenses and headed to RV. Cold and windy, couple other anglers there but no one seemed to be catching anything, including us! Neither of us landed anything, but it was a beautiful morning and was definitely much needed. I checked a few other spots but they were either frozen over still or running real fast, so my first fish of 2018 will have to wait. But Thmyorke1 did give me some of his hand tied smallie jigs!! Thanks again man, it was great meeting and fishing with you!

Ayy. It's never safe to get skunked alone. :cool:

Lamington was very high on the way back. Rushing water. Odd because I think some other parts of rivers like the north branch over 78 was solid ice.

[Chrisper4694]

Couple of places and ways to get on ice to fish but i ended up not even wetting a line. Couple of bad dessisions and second guessing and wasted the whole damn day :mad: