Farrington Night Ice Fishing

[Andrushkin33]

Something else

That's all that I can say about night ice fishing. Just typing this is sending chills from my spine. After taking Eddie by his word I was out at Farrington by 8:30 pm last night.

First off: Fished of Sir Johns area. From the shore toward middle of the lake ice is about 2.5 to 3 inches frozen solid. After the middle you can see new ice forming and I was not about to try that one out even though the spot I wanted to get to is toward the middle.

Second: Hearing ice crack at 10pm is scary as shit. Also pretty cool since sound resonate through whole lake but still scary.

Third: The ol' rock test works magic.

Fourth: I don't know if it was mention here but for my sake actually had a rope tied up from a tree towards my holes. I know not so practical but actually felt safer knowing its there.

And not after that wall of text above to the fishing part. Only used 3 tip ups baited with some shinners. Listening to everyones advice actually this time I managed to keep all of them alive through the whole course of my night time adventure. No takers so I got skunked but only fished till 11pm.

In reality for me it was all just a test to see if its practical and to see if I would be harassed by anyone. Not a soul was insight and no one bothered me through out the whole night. Would go again for sure targeting some other areas there.

To all who want to venture out at night. Be safe and be aware. Would recommend going with somebody unless of course its a last resort and no one wants to go and you just have to get out.

Good luck to all and FLAG.

Andre

[kcritch]

You're a brave man dude....way to put in the extra effort. You'll get'em next time.

[kmaty]

Watch that area man! Sketchiest part of the lake! Def have a check in system going with somebody! Especially out alone at night...last yr we were getting kicked off during day and somebody called fish and game and there was big meetings and final decision was that they are allowed to kick you off if there is under 6inches...this yr they haven't been bothering anybody yet but also isn't the hoards of people around yet either! But im sure if they see u over there atnight you will be getting kicked off

[Andrushkin33]

Originally Posted by kmaty

Watch that area man! Sketchiest part of the lake! Def have a check in system going with somebody! Especially out alone at night...last yr we were getting kicked off during day and somebody called fish and game and there was big meetings and final decision was that they are allowed to kick you off if there is under 6inches...this yr they haven't been bothering anybody yet but also isn't the hoards of people around yet either! But im sure if they see u over there atnight you will be getting kicked off

I know. I pretty much expected to be kicked off but to my surprise no one bothered me. And I know people living there take it upon themselves to figure out when you can venture out on the ice. They might have good intentions but I think I have a better understanding of the ice conditions being on the lake rather than sitting on the couch in my living room.

That being said I have not been bothered once since this summer by anyone while fishing. No cops no game and fish officials. Not a single soul.

[Skunk City]

My two cents, for what it's worth, if you are going to ice fish at night, fish at a place where the dominant species are active at night. Walleye, Hybrids, Crappies and Catfish will all hit willingly(though not always) through the night during the winter. At Farrington your dominant species are Pike and Largemouth. I've landed 1 Pike after dark in my life and while I have landed Largemouth at night, its always been in warmer temps when they are more active.

[Andrushkin33]

Originally Posted by Skunk City

My two cents, for what it's worth, if you are going to ice fish at night, fish at a place where the dominant species are active at night. Walleye, Hybrids, Crappies and Catfish will all hit willingly(though not always) through the night during the winter. At Farrington your dominant species are Pike and Largemouth. I've landed 1 Pike after dark in my life and while I have landed Largemouth at night, its always been in warmer temps when they are more active.

Thank you for the tip.

In all honestly that was my only second time in my life ice fishing. First one was on Saturday at Hopatcong so I have a lot more to learn.

Andre

[Jersey Charlie]

Your second time ice fishing and you go alone and at night. You have a lot to learn.

[Andrushkin33]

Originally Posted by Jersey Charlie

Your second time ice fishing and you go alone and at night. You have a lot to learn.

I know not the brightest idea but only time I had available so took the opportunity.

Came prepared and equipped for the worse. My friends knew where I was so no matter the time I felt rather safe.

Just because it was my second time ice fishing doesn't meant it was my second time on ice.

[GetANet]

Very Poor Decision on your behalf!!!!!
Not going with out a least one other person and a pfd is down right stupid!!!!
There is just too many things that can go wrong!!!
Yea, your friends knew you were there but what are they gonna do when you submerge?

[Andrushkin33]

Originally Posted by GetANet

Very Poor Decision on your behalf!!!!!
Not going with out a least one other person and a pfd is down right stupid!!!!
There is just too many things that can go wrong!!!
Yea, your friends knew you were there but what are they gonna do when you submerge?

There is not always available another person to go with. Of course I prefer someone to be with me but between waiting for that someone to come along or going fishing I would go fishing.

But that's just my opinion. Anything can happen at any time at any place. We all aware of that. The responsibility for your safety first and foremost lays with you and then trickles down. I made a choice to go out and made a choice of taking all the precautions I can think off.

My friends knew where I was and what time I am going to be there. If I did not report back to them than they would know something did happen. Yes there is not much they could do if I did submerge but responsibility for getting myself out would still first lay with me.

Everyone has their own opinion and nothing wrong with that. I do agree again that is not wise to go out at night on ice by yourself.

I am sure I am not the only one who just has a need to go out there even when friends are not available. Any suggestions of what else (I know have friends with you) could be done to minimize the risk when you have to go out alone both day or night on ice are much appreciated.

To have a better picture the only thing that I did not have is pfd. That's something for me to consider in case I have a need to go out again. Everything else was checked for with addition of the rope.

Andre