Ice Meet-N-Greet LHSP 3/2/25

[FASTEDDIE29]

Hellooo, is anybody out there? It’s been a while boys. I’ve taken some time off posting after the 6 month shit show of a contest we had. Sheesh! That was a little nutty of me and thankfully it’s over now. Let’s have a M-N-G. The ice across the northern parts of NJ is the thickest it’s been in a while. Thinking this is the perfect time to get together with some of you fine anglers. Details below ⬇️

What - Ice fishing get together.
Where - Lake Hopatcong state park
When - Sunday, March 2nd, 8am -
Why - Because I love people sometimes!

Let me know if you can make it! Hope to see some people out there for a Sunday funday on the ice. Who’s in???

If conditions get sloppy or dangerous for any reason this get together will be cancelled. Safety is our number 1 priority here.

Optional -
20 bucks per person for the biggest fish caught on this day at said venue. All species included except for Musky! 1 winner takes all! :D

[Hookmanski]

This is the winter of business for me - ill be driving home from Vermont that day. Hope you all have a blast and catch some icy jumbos :D

[icebadger]

Count me in fasty lets hope the fish want to play nice.:cool:

[kcritch]

I'm up for it. Been a while since we had an Ice MnG. I don't ice fish but it's always a good time.

Anyone else joining the event? Looks like only three of us so far????

[icebadger]

lets hope the ice is in good shape after the week we are going to have. the ice on the cong had a little rot on it yesterday still 11" where i was by chestnut point. the state park usually stays good but after this weekend it does not look good.

[FASTEDDIE29]

It’s looking pretty lame here. I’m just guessing people have their own agendas these days. It is what it is and things aren’t the way they were. See what happens guys! :D

[ScowardNJ]

I'm in! See you guys Saturday morning.

[Mikey topaz]

I’ll be there !
Scotty it’s Sunday not sat

[TD]

I'm in

[ScowardNJ]

I’ll be there !
Scotty it’s Sunday not sat

See ya Sunday!:D

[Broad Bill]

Went out today in northern NJ to some quarries and the edges are starting to be a little chopped up. Air temps and rain over next four days won't help so be careful out there especially at impoundment with deep drop offs near shore.

[icebadger]

I was out on swartswood and the ice was good there 10" some surface rot by 6pm when i came off the ice. the state park is shallow 3'to 8' now with the lake down 22" we should be good if we stay local in the park area.

[Broad Bill]

It’s looking pretty lame here. I’m just guessing people have their own agendas these days. It is what it is and things aren’t the way they were. See what happens guys! :D

As the song said, "Video killed the Radio Star", social media is killing socializing. Today's generation(s) would rather be on their devices all day than actually experience real social interaction. It's a real shame, implications will be significant especially for children. We went from needing a cell phone strictly for emergency cases to 42% of children having a phone by age 10, 71% by age 12 and 91% of children by age 14. People don't know what it means to socialize anymore, we've become a lazy non interactive society.

[FASTEDDIE29]

I was out on swartswood and the ice was good there 10" some surface rot by 6pm when i came off the ice. the state park is shallow 3'to 8' now with the lake down 22" we should be good if we stay local in the park area.

Keep us posted on conditions Badger. People are showing interest in the ice party. Let’s see if we can make it happen. :D

[icebadger]

Keep us posted on conditions Badger. People are showing interest in the ice party. Let’s see if we can make it happen. :D i was out on the cong today and the place i was at had 11"still and the top had about 1"of rot by 6pm the ice was still solid under the rot i will check it after the rain tonight and get back to you:cool:

[icebadger]

As the song said, "Video killed the Radio Star", social media is killing socializing. Today's generation(s) would rather be on their devices all day than actually experience real social interaction. It's a real shame, implications will be significant especially for children. We went from needing a cell phone strictly for emergency cases to 42% of children having a phone by age 10, 71% by age 12 and 91% of children by age 14. People don't know what it means to socialize anymore, we've become a lazy non interactive society.you got that right they do not go fishing unless it is a video game at least they can catch fish there not like getting skunked in the real thing.:rolleyes:

[icebadger]

Ok here it is, the ice at the state park is still good on the right side.. the beach area has melted back about 2ft and they are going to cut a big hole there for the annual leap-in-the-lake event on Saturday the 1st of march so we are going to have to get on over by the trees on the right side of the park area. the holes i cut had 8"of good ice with 1"or so of rot the ice away from the shore is still good as of today. this looks to be the swan song on what has been a good ice season. i am going out at a different spot tomorrow and will give another report when i get back. it is forecasted to be 34 on Sunday and below freezing Saturday night at 18 degrees so lets keep our fingers crossed.

[Chrisper4694]

See ya Sunday!:D

Are we thinking the ice will be ok? We gotta do this ea4lier in the season next time. Actually getting ice took us by surprise this year 😂

[FASTEDDIE29]

Hey guys. We may do a possible spot change but at the same venue. Stay tuned for more info.

Badger, thank you for the continued updates! You are appreciated!

I can’t believe we finally had a normal season. I think everyone was caught off guard and in shock that our ice finally came back to us. Pretty awesome for real! :D

[FASTEDDIE29]

State park tomorrow everyone. Look for my red Eskimo shelter to the right of the beach. Going to drag this thing out there because I haven’t set it up in 4 years. Haha! I want to make sure it still functions properly. :D

[icebadger]

State park tomorrow everyone. Look for my red Eskimo shelter to the right of the beach. Going to drag this thing out there because I haven’t set it up in 4 years. Haha! I want to make sure it still functions properly. :D guys it is with a heavy heart that i have to inform that the ice took a beating today, i was out on my spot and got off the ice at 11:30 it was 53 degrees and the rot was about 1 to 2 inches depending where i stepped i had 8" of ice but the sun and warm temps rotted the top so you were dealing with about 6" of black ice. I was able to drill thru very easily and the ice showed some honeycomb condition. dows pulled their ramp because joe was able to punch thru with his spud in 4 hits the temps are going to drop tonight but the shores took a beating. i did not go to the state park today to see if the shores were good you might need a plank to get out.. there was one guy fishing on the right side when i went by the shore hills area at 6:45am when i went out the ice was good but by 10:00 am the ice was not shiny any more and the water was bouncing in the old holes pretty good when i walked pass them so i am not sure that having a bunch of people in a small area is safe. if you still want to try this we should meet on the right side of the park and check the ice first.

[FASTEDDIE29]

I’ll be there when the gates open or whatever. I’m going to try to get on by the trees. I will spud all around to make sure we’re alright. Any negative conditions and I’ll cancel last minute. Safety first.

[FASTEDDIE29]

1 more update. I have a confirmed 8-9 inches of ice at LHSP. A friend was there today and said it’s all good. Top layer got a little soft as did the edges by the beach. All systems go for tomorrow people. :D

[kcritch]

Unfortunately I’m not gonna be able to make it this time. Had a very good friend pass away this week and services are tomorrow. Thought I might be able to make it for a couple hours in the morning but that isn’t possible. Services are down in Freehold and I need to be there early. Have a great day boys and I’ll catch you next time.

[Broad Bill]

How was yesterday's MNG? Winds picked up during the day and border ice looked sketchy but quite a few trucks in the lot and members on the ice for what appears to be the last hoorah.

[FASTEDDIE29]

We had 12 people show up. The morning flags were flying. We found 7-8 inches of ice out there. Scott brought out the big Eskimo shelter and we were cooking with the heat on. Beautiful day on the ice with the boys. Pickerel, Perch and some Bullhead catfish were all caught on this day. Fun times as always with the right people. And yes, the edges were definitely shot by the time we walked off. This Wednesday’s rain will be the season ended for sure. I’m thankful for the nice long season we had! It was a blast getting out there and using all the gear I invested in. TIGHT LINEZ!!! FLAGGGGGGG!!!?:D