Quinte Fishing

I'M VERY DISSAPOINTED ON THE BOARD REPORTS INDICATING FISHING
ACTIVITY AROUND QUINTE?WHY CAN'T THE OPERATERS EVEN POST AN UPDATE OF ICE CONDITIONS AND FISHING ACTIVITY SO THAT WE MAY ALL BENIFIT AS DEDICATED VIEWERS!!!WE ARE LIKE WINDOW SHOPING, AWAITING FOR A DISPLAY THAT WE MAY VIEW BUT UNFORTUNITLY THERE IS NO OFFERING.
EVERY ONE IS SO CONFIDENTIAL NOW ON THIS SITE THAT I FIND IT NOT ENCORAGING FOR OTHERS TO ENJOY AND CONTRIBUTE BACK TO THE SITE!!!!

Mr. Twister

People have been fishing in different areas of the Bay
of Quinte and Hay bay over the last four weeks. Every
area is quite different and the ice conditions change daily.
If your willing to find a safe area you just need alot of
gas in your car and make a circuit around to popular area
until you find other people who have already ventured out
on the ice to confirm conditions are safe. You will see alot
of people fishing on ice less than 4 inches of good ice.

Last year with just as poor ice conditions had areas that
were relatively safe. I fished out from the Sherman Point
ramp when conditions at Huffs, Quick Short Rd, and Green
Point were bad. Bid Island is another large area that has
good ice in areas because of less current area.

Personnally I spent Saturday morning fishing on a lake north
of Kingston on Hwy 38 that had a minimum of 8". I felt quite
safe. I only caught 2 walleye and 6 jumbo perch but it wasn't
bad for 2 hours work. The lake was St. George lake and
appears to be only about a 1/4 mile wide and maybe 1 mile
long. I was told it was great fishing in the evening. I went
at the worst time 10 til 12.

My experience with operators has been that most error on the
safe side even though they make money from the ice fishing
thing. Two years ago I drove out to Deseronto and spoke to
to resort owners only to drive back home after some discussion.
There were a couple of people at the time on the ice but were
obviously taking their lives into their hands. The ice was about
3" in most places at the time.

Dan Elliot also recommended a contact number at the MNR. If
you use it, you need to use it between 9 and 4 weekdays only.
They are not recommending you go on the ice mainly due to a
number recent accidents. (Snow machines going though etc.)
No one should be on Quinte with snowmachines or 4-wheels at
this time of year. It's bad enough of foot.

I'm sure with some patience, next weekend will be fine in most
areas. Bring a friend and be safe.

Another observation, each time I go to Quinte I meet 2 or 3 guys
and I have never met someone that visits this site. I think most
of the fisherman out there do not have a computer.

Good luck finding out the conditions, I hope to be out next weekend
with a few guys from work. I will post a report if I do go out. Check
next Sunday night.

BATMAN

Maybe this will be the catalyst for the posting of good results, thou I only had bad results today.

Morning:
Fished in Trenton, off the mouth of the Trent River. Fished this morning from about 8-12, in about 10 feet of water, with 2 rods: one with a jigging spoon tipped with minnow, the other a set rod and 2 hooks with minnows. Had one hit in the spoon, felt larger than a perch but if it was a walleye, it was a small one. Lite hit and missed it. Oh ya.... their was 8" of ice where I fished.

Quite a few people were out there. Many in portable huts, and about 5 permanent huts. Many open air fishermen. Saw one pair of fisherman catch what appeared to be a nice walleye. In the slot???? They left right after that. Saw another catch what appeared to be a small walleye. No other fish in appearance.... not even perch.

Evening:
Fished again off the mouth of the Trent, but further out by the last huts, and just before the pressure crack. Fished 2:30-5:30. Similar setup and condition, slightly less ice. No hits.

My back was to the rest of the fishermen.... strong west wind, blowing snow (really enjoying my bouy-o-bouy floater suit...). Never saw anyone catch fish. Lotsa walkons fishing directly in the Trent River near the mouth. Don't know how much ice was there....

Spoke with a few people while walking off, and nobody reported any catches.

Summary:
Locals indicated that the walleye were hit-or-miss, and one reported that most were small. Some larger fish talked about.... 9 and 13 pounds. A few ATVs and Sleds on the ice. Saturday I saw a pickup truck on the ice nearer to Carrying place.

The bait shops speak of some people catching walleye... but they are reportedly in the release slot. Also reports of jumbo perch being caught.

Can't speak for ice conditions east of Belleville. If ice conditions do not improve further east, my next trip on Quinte will probably be off Potters creek..... there are at least perch there to keep you occupied.

../DogBoat

You know, regardless of where one goes ice fishing, it always pays to be adaptable and have an open mind towards other species.

Lake Scugog is the same way, a hit and miss fishery. Scugog is also a different body of water for pickerel. Murky with lots of weeds and an average depth of 4 ft deep. I laugh when I hear guys "killing them" and shite... a good outing is two pickerel in the evening per person! If you expect less, all the better.

First ice and last ice are the best times for anything. Right now you gotta apply mid winter tactics. Start deep near prominent structure and work your way up shallow.

Also, I take a grain of salt of whats been caught and how many especially on the internet boards. Don't depend on hut operators to be truthfull until you've paid your money hoping for a good day of fishing, by then its too late.

_________________
~~~~Tommy~Of~Niagara~~~~
"If It Swims, It Can Be Caught!"
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