Fished Trenton area late last week, Dec 27 (between air force base and trent river). We walked out on the south side with only 4 inches of ice and decided not to go all the way to the channel as the ice thickness is usually at least 2 inches less in the middle due to current. Fished in the pm and hooked 2 decent fish landing a 4 pounder and losing another approximately the same size at the hole (my son hooked both of these). We also landed 4 or 5 smaller walleye that were less than a pound and a few small perch. We had a camera down and saw a lot of smaller walleye that were half interested in our offering. The fish bite for us and a few others I spoke with seemed to be just after sunset.
Friend of mine fished the same area today and reported fishing on 4 inches of ice and he landed 4 fish with the largest approximately 5 pounds this morning. All fish were landed between 7:30-9 this morning. Looks like with the rain last Friday and then cold snap the ice thickness stayed pretty close to where it had been a few days prior.
As a note I only went on the ice as we were both both wearing floater suits, had ice claws and picks and a throw rope/bag with my son as back up (walked 50 yds behind me) and spudded my way out in an area that I have experience with. The bay ice thickness is very inconsistent as you all know so I would only consider to venture out even now if you had all the necessary safety equipment/spud and were going to areas where they typically have little current and therefore typically a place where there the first safe ice is usually found and of course a buddy to assist or even call for assistance in the worst case scenario.
Planning on giving it another try later this week. Be safe and good luck
Shawn
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