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| along with winters chill have all but the hardiest of Pennsylvania Anglers confined to the warmth of their homes, watching ESPN or attending local Sportsman shows on the weekends. Those of us willing to brave the blustery wind and frozen brows and venture onto the ice can reap rewards of possible trophy fish from many of our area frozen lakes and ponds. This will be one of the better years for Keystone Ice-fishers. The state has been in a "deep freeze" for the past few months making many of their favorite haunts safely and readily accessible. The prior few years have been less than kind to Ice fisherman with warmer than normal winters. I think we are making up for those this year. I for one will spend my spells of "cabin fever" flipping channels, tying flies, attending shows, planning spring waterfowl projects and working on this website. That's not to say I wouldn't be out their stalking the "Ice Crazies" with my camera from the warmth of my Ford F150. You see, I have this fear of this "slightly overweight" well-fed and nourished frame of mine treading on the wrong spot and falling through the ice and I prefer the creature comforts. Ice Fishing can yield trophy fish as well as delicious perch and crappie. Hungry Musky and Pike can be enticed to bite easily if you find the right spot to bore your hole. I've always wondered how one could lift a 40-pound Musky from one of these small holes drilled into the frozen surface. Somehow it must be possible because you read about them in the newspapers or see the photos at your local tackle shop of some red faced angler with a silly smile along with his trophy in hand. "I really do admire these hardy folks". Lake Marburg still low but readily awaits the Ice-fisher. I pray that the lake can recover this spring. All of the boat launches are still inaccessible. I couldn't launch my Jon boat more less the 21 foot Lund I like to fish from. I dislike snow and rain as much as the next guy but we need a lot of precipitation to bring this lake back to useable levels for boaters. As I stated in the Den News this has had one positive affect for area anglers enabling them to scout the shoreline and chart normally submerged structure. |
| I am a little concerned about spawning habitat that is now above water and how it will affect this spring on the lake. Perhaps we'll get lucky and it will wipe out the nuisance White Perch population. More on Marburg later and starting soon I will carry weekly fishing reports on this site with the help of B&B Lures in Hanover for Marburg and area lakes. The remaining area lakes are all recovering nicely from last years |
| I'm looking forward to ice-out and busting stripers and trout. A great place to fish during winter is the tailrace below the dam. You will find many of the river species seeking the warmer waters of the discharge. For those of you "Die-hard" boat fishermen who have garage stored your rigs or forgot the moth balls and don't mind a little drive may I suggest my pilgrimage to the south Lake Anna Virginia. Just south of Washington DC of Interstate 95 you will find Spotsylvania County and it's precious Lake Anna. This is a power plant impoundment and rarely ever freezes except in the most remote shallow creeks and arms. Winter here offers excellent Hybrid Striper fishing along with Bass and Crappie. If you are a true Crappie-a-holick like my self, Anna is the place to be starting in mid to late March through middle May. This early season offers angling serenity without the presence of the nuisance water skiers, personal watercraft and speed boaters. The main drawback to Lake Anna is its lack of "No Wake Zones" and poorly patrolled waters. So it's almost time to re-spool your reels, get your gear in order and plan for a spring and summer of great angling. Dizzy |
| drought and again all are frozen and await the Ice-fisher. The two smaller of the Hanover area lakes, Shepherd Myers and Long Arm should fish well this winter and spring. There are two small open water spots on Long Arm where the entire area goose and duck populations seem to be residing. I plan to spend more |
| time on Long Arm this year. I live less than a half mile from this impoundment and rarely fish there. I understand it has a very healthy Walleye population. Long Arm is large and has an "electric motors only" restriction. The Hanover water folks and the PA Fish Commission maintain a nice launch on the east side of the lake. Raystown is in great shape with normal levels and the usual ice this time of year. The many creeks, coves and areas around bridges offer excellent Ice fishing for the panfish populations. You will find more of the larger species sulking around in the deeper warmer water. Musky are still possible in the grassy shallower coves and creeks. |
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