Xavier Santos and his friends took home some nice crappie and panfish from a small inland lake just before the Bills game on Sunday. Photo courtesy of Xavier Santos

Ice fishing is a thrill unlike almost any other outdoor pursuit. There is something both exciting and humble about walking on water, knowing that only a few inches of frozen lake separate you from the dark, cold depths below. Drilling that first hole of the season quickly reveals just how little ice is really there in early winter. It can be a bit unsettling — but with the right precautions, early season ice fishing in Western New York can be safe and rewarding.

Fishing with a buddy is always a smart choice, and it’s important to let someone know your plans before you go. That’s exactly what Xavier Santos from Forestville and his friends did last weekend before the Bills game.

“A few buddies messaged ideas of what lakes might be good for early ice, and we spent a few days checking conditions and putting in the work to find ‘safe ice,'” Santos said “My buddy Alex found a lake and extended the ‘olive branch,’ so we all set out early on Sunday. My buddy David picked me up at 5 a.m., and we were on the ice setting up by 5:45 a.m..

“We met our other buddies there,” Santos continued. “David and I were the first to drill a hole and pop the Vexilar Sonar down to mark fish in 10 feet of water. We decided that’s where we would start. By 6:05 a.m., I had two 11-inch crappies on the ice using a small tungsten jig with a pink plastic tail. We had LiveScope (forward-facing sonar) too, and watched large schools of bluegills and crappies moving around for the first two hours. Then it slowed down a bit, so we hole-hopped for an hour or two.”

The two ice-fishing buddies ended the day with landing 70-80 fish, keeping the larger fish for the fry pan.

“Three of our other buddies (Jason, Cory, and Alex) that came in, did well too, landing some good bass (released) and tasty panfish as well. It was a fun day,” Santos said.

Fish are often active under first ice, cruising shallow flats in search of food. Popular techniques don’t require complicated setups or expensive gear.

A small jig — often just a tiny teardrop or tungsten ice jig — tipped with a minnow, waxworm, or soft plastic grub is usually all that’s needed. Light line, subtle movements, and patience are key. Panfish such as bluegills, perch, and crappies are the usual early ice targets, and they tend to hold in shallow water where oxygen levels are high and food is plentiful. For newcomers, this makes early ice an excellent time to learn, as bites can be frequent and fish behavior more predictable.

We just can’t forget that early ice demands respect. Ice thickness can vary widely, even within a few feet, due to springs, currents, vegetation, or changing weather conditions. That’s why seasoned anglers often begin their ice fishing year on smaller bodies of water, which typically freeze earlier and more evenly than large lakes. Xavier’s approach paid off. Rather than pushing their luck on big water, they searched out smaller lakes across Western New York, eventually finding one with solid, safe ice and cooperative fish.

Choosing the right location is the first step to staying safe. Ponds and smaller lakes usually develop stronger ice first. In Western New York, waters such as Harwood Lake, Allen Lake, New Albion Lake, Case Lake, and other smaller fisheries are popular early-season destinations. The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation offers lake contour maps and basic information for many of these smaller waters, helping anglers understand depth changes, access points, and potential hazards before stepping onto the ice.

Safety gear is just as important as location. Early ice anglers should never fish alone and should always let someone know where they’re going. Ice thickness should be checked frequently with a spud bar, especially when moving to new areas. As a rule, four inches of clear, solid ice is the minimum for foot travel, but more is always better.

Early season ice fishing in Western New York offers adventure, solitude, and the promise of fast action, but only for those who approach it with caution and respect. Enjoy the magic of first ice soon, warm weather may be on the way.

Gotta love the outdoors.

CALENDAR

Dec. 25: Merry Christmas

Dec. 26 to Jan. 1: NYS Southern Zone late archery/crossbow/muzzleloader special deer-only season. Regular firearms are not allowed.