Tuesday noon December 14:
I phoned Glenora Marine and the chap on the phone reported no ice whatsoever. He told me it had been too windy for ice to yet form. I phoned Tip of the Bay in Picton Harbour, and the lady told me that the ice had just started to form around her docks. She did not know if the harbour was frozen or not.
Here is the link to
the current 7-day weather forecast for Picton, Ontario.
You can see tonight it's supposed to get pretty cold, but then it's supposed to become more mild towards the end of the week. I believe the waters will still be fishable for another week at least, and quite possibly longer depending on how mild it gets, and how willing you are to break a little ice to get out to the open water. The boat ramp at Picton Harbour will be the first to freeze. There are, however, at least
four other viable launch sites, these being McFarland's, Glenora Marine, Glenora Ferry East, and Adolphustown.
I am asking everyone who either phones or visits the Picton-Glenora area to
PLEASE KEEP THIS POST UPDATED!
Specifically we are looking for:
1. Location of the "ice line" which will soon begin forming outwards from Picton Bay.
2. Any other ice forming anywhere in the area, such as around the Adolphustown ramp.
3. Conditions at all the launch ramps - both the water and ice surrounding them, and the ramps themselves [i.e. are they icy, snowy, or clear? Blocked by snowplows?]
4. The fish you caught - how, when and where.
Stuff you should know:
1. The fishing can be
superb this time of year! If you can get yer boat in the water, chances are you can have some of the best fishing of the season. Don't be a pussy, go fishing! [yeah, it's cold, dress warmly, yadda yadda, shut up and fish....]
2. Ice conditions change on a daily basis. Just because the place freezes up tight doesn't mean the open water fishing is over for the season! A bit of wind and a mild day can clear the whole bay immediately - you would be amazed. Ice melts.
3. It can be possible to fish on open water right into the New Year! I've done it, long after others thought it was all over. It ain't over til it's over, and even then it might not be over.
4. Plan your Christmas shopping around the weather forecast! Shop when it's cold, fish when it's mild.
Cheers,
Pete