Current Ice-Fishing Report

Late Season Perch - The Bite is On!

the time has never been better to get in on some late season Perch fishing.  Check out our update and find a way to get to Henderson Harbor during the next two weeks!  Think about booking a late season trip!

Here are some nice chunky fillet fish taken yesterday in an hour's fishing at first light.  The Perch bite was excellent in Henderson and Dave was catching these fish two at a time.

Cool nights and warm days are a recipe for hot Perch action.  Henderson Harbor remains a hot spot for Perch fishing, while Sandy Pond is also turning on.  The Pond went dead for several weeks but this warming trend has re-activated fish there and over the last two days the bite has been strong.  If you notice a sunny day in the extended forecast, don't miss the bite - it could be some of the best fishing of the year!

Late Season Perch - Some of the best action all season! Here's a dandy bucket of Yellow Perch taken yesterday.  Clearing skies and sunny conditions are bringing Perch deep into bays like Henderson, where they are easily accessed by fishermen. The hit over the weekend was on grub tipped flies and demons.  Capt. Pete Barnes fished an Orange Perch Bug (FLY) while I used a Chartreuse/Orange (Ice Tick) by Ice Dog Tackle.  Both are available at the Westview tackle shop and are specifically designed for hammering the Perch. Ask us at the bait shop and we will show you how we rig our set-ups. Good Fishing. Capt. Bill Saiff III

Capt. Pete Barnes pulls a late season Jumbo Perch through the ice in Henderson Harbor.  This fish hit a Silver/Green Swedish Pimple tipped with a fathead minnow.  The key to catching lots of fish during the late season is to cover the ground.  Pick the 10 hot biters out of each hole and keep moving.  This keeps the fishing fresh and anglers won't experience the lulls in action. Remember, Pike and Pickerel can shut a hole down by just swimming by.  We recommend drilling at least 10 holes before you start fishing.  This will give you the ability to move quickly when the action changes!

A Jumby taken on a Swedish Pimple...

Get great equipment at end of the year prices!  Right now at the Westview Bait Shop!  Be all set up for next season while other fishermen are scrambling for the best equipment.  We have 5" hand augers and great jigging combinations priced to move.  Our insulated buckets, gloves, quick strike rigs, jaw spreaders, ice cleats and much more can make great birthday gifts.  Come see us before we close....

Check out our full line up of Gear!  HT Gold Tundra Spin 500 reels just $10.99

Dip Nets just $1.99

Electric Fillet Knives just $29.99

Thanks For A Great Derby....

"Hard Water Challenge" - Bigger than ever...

Froggy 97 Media Sponsor for the "Hard Water Challenge" Froggy 97's great media coverage of the Hard Water Challenge helped it become a huge success this past weekend.  Over 260 participants competed for a fantastice prize package which included guided fishing trips, underwater cameras, augers, jig rods, ice shacks and much more!

Youth Anglers Strike it Big! Last year's winner of the Youth Perch division (Jordan Flagg) holds up another giant Perch that he took this year.  Jordan's fish put him in 3rd. place in the 2010 "Hard Water" Challenge. Our great prize packages helped to make this a great tournament for the kids.

Winners from last year's tournament have their fish mounted by Charle's Taxidermy. - Thanks Charlie for doing a great job....

Jumbo Yellow Perch taken from Campbell's Shoal on the east end of Henderson Bay. - this is why anglers like to fish Henderson.

Some good Yellow Perch from a morning bite in Henderson Harbor!

Henderson Harbor - The Spot to be for Perch Right Now! Good sized Yellow Perch are on the bite right now in Henderson Harbor.  The best action is between sun-up and 10:00 a.m. but the fish will continue to flurry throughout the day. Remember, Parking is free at the Westview Lodge and the ice can be accessed from there.  Most Perch are being caught within 100 yds. of our docks. The Bait Shop is open every morning by 6:00 a.m. We will dip bait for you throughout the day.  Call 315-938-5285 and someone will open after hours to serve you!

#3 Swedish Pimples clipped to the bottom of Jig lines are producing great Perch action.  Re-hook these spoons with the single hook that comes packaged with them.  Use a "Fat-Head" minnow on the single hook which is placed just under the dorsal fin.  10 inches above the Swedish Pimple place a #2 snap clip in line.  On this snap, use either an Orange "Perch Bug" or a #8 "Ice Tick" jig.  Both are available at the Westview bait shop and the "Ice Ticks" come in a variety of colors.  Ask us, and we will be happy to rig your rods for the best performance.  See you in Henderson this weekend!

NH firefighters Jim Roy and Jeff MacDowell jig a pair of 8" holes for Yellow Perch.  The best action is just off shore in Henderson Harbor.  Note the proximity of boathouses in the background.  See us at the Westview for special pricing on ultralight Jigging combinations.  We have Riversider 24 & 30 inch rods with matching reels for just $18.99.

1/25/10

A nice load of Perch grace the ice this past weekend in Sandy Pond.  Most of the fish this weekend were between 7 and 10 inches in length. Some bigger fish were taken but medium sized fish were the rule.  Above Jim Weidman (PA) lands a 9" Perch on a Rapala Jigging Minnow.  We were fishing 8 ft. of water.

This Yellow Perch hit the Rapala Jigging Minnow draped with a Wax Worm.

Some Big Northern Pike In Henderson Harbor! Notice the Westview Lodge in the background of this photo.  The ice-fishing is good everywhere in Henderson Harbor.  This is my old buddy Rick Flagg with a 13 1/2 lb. Pike that he took in the first hole he drilled in front of the lodge.  Rick set his first tip-up with a large shiner and lowered his trap into the hole.  He turned to move to the next hole and the first trap fired!  When he turned back he could see the line peeling off the spool as the big fish headed to deeper water.  Rick was using a "quick strike" rig and set the hook immediately.  20 minutes later, he iced this beauty. That's a great way to start the season!

Ice Action On Perch - A great way to spend time with the family! Here is a quick bucket of Yellow Perch taken by my daughter and me on Sunday afternoon.  9 ft. of water was the depth on these fish as we worked the east shore of Sandy Pond.  We fished close to the area we had guided clients on the previous 2 days.  We took 250 Perch in a 4 hour period.  We kept 72 and sorted the smaller fish for ice excitement in the future. Guided ice trips are just $125.00 Per Person (2 person minimum)  - We supply the gear.  Call us at (cell)315-771-3514 or at the Lodge 315-938-5285

Clients fishing with us stay at Bill Saiff's Westview Lodge, located on the shores of Henderson Harbor, NY.