Ice Fishing in the Adirondacks
John Keeler and I left Mechanicsburg, PA early Thursday, February 8, 2007, heading to Warren County, NY. John's son, Icedawg, invited us to go ice fishing on Lake George for yellow perch and lake trout Friday and Saturday. The scenery was beautiful as we drove north on Rt. 87 for the 6 1/2 hour drive.
We arrived at Lake George, NY around 3PM and our first stop was at the FISH307.com Tackle Shop on Rt. 9. I had the pleasure of meeting the owner, Jeff, and a few local anglers. We swapped a few fishing stories before checking out the large variety of ice fishing equipment available. Jeff is very knowledgeable, as I asked many questions on what a 1st time ice angler should need to catch fish. Icedawg arrived and we headed to his home where he had everything ready for the next day. He gave me a crash course on equipment, lures and techniques used to catch yellow perch and lake trout through the ice.
Sunrise Friday, February 9, 2007 on Lake George
We moved across the 8" thick ice on a couple of 4 wheel ATV's (wheelers) pulling all the equipment needed for a 'day on the ice'. Icedawg drilled holes in the ice and set up the popup enclosures to keep us comfortable while fishing in no time flat. Icedawg looks forward to this time of year where he can ice fish a few time weekly.
One of Three Shanties that are Connected Together 
Next the 24" Pre-Rigged Ice Rod are Handed Out 
John and I were in the shanties with portable gas heaters running keeping us warm. The bait of choice was maggots. A usual rig consists of a small spoon on the bottom with 2 small jigs attached above the spoon approximately 1' apart.
John Landed the 1st Yellow Perch
John was bailing yellow perch. I caught only a few, while Icedawg drilled holes in the ice at various depth of water, setting the tip-ups to catch lake trout. He installed 10 tip-ups, 5 per row. Each reel was spooled with 6# PowerPro fiber line, a 6# fluorocarbon leader, a #14 treble hook on the bottom and split shot 18" up the line. Suckers were hooked just behind the back dorsal fin and set on the bottom.
Standard Tip-Up and How it Works
Another Style Tip-Up
Largest Lake Trout (Laker) Caught
Rondog was out on the ice bailing one yellow perch after another. My production was low so I when out on the ice to pick his brain. He was very helpful and explained how he used a Vexilar Ice-Ducer. This unit shows your line and lure above the fish, and the fish when it rises to take the lure. Rondog was nice enough to leave his tip-ups out for our use when he left the ice. Greenfield and his dad Bill also stopped over to shoot the breeze for a short time on Friday.
Vexilar Ice-Ducer Showing Line/Lure and Fish
My catching came more productive (no...a lot more productive), when Icedawg showed me a how to hold a 24" ice rod and reel. This allowed me to feel the lightest hits. With the rod tip low, and a tight line, snap the wrist in a quick upward motion to get a good hook set.
Equipment, Lures, and the Reward
On Saturday we went out on 4 wheelers; Icedawg and John, Doug and I, Gerald, and Stripers2. Thanks fellows for the hospitality and for sharing your knowledge on how to ice fish.
SPECIAL THANKS: Icedawg for your professional planning that made it possible for John and me to catch a countless number of yellow perch and 4 nice lake trout through the ice.
Tight Lines,
Capt. Tom Hughes
