Ice Fishing Is Nice Fishing

If you are an ice fisher person or know one, here are two websites that have bulletin boards/blogs touching on current ice fishing in Findley Lake.

http://www.grizzlygary.com

http://www.IceShanty.com

I've been posting comments to both regarding access so for all of you ice fisher persons, here's where to park and ice fish on Findley Lake:

1. At the public picnic tables (concrete) on Rt. 426 south of greater downtown Findley Lake located about half way down and at the narrows between the two "ponds"
2. Along the side of the same road (also called Sunnyside) across from the church camp, Camp Findley.
3. At public parking area in downtown Findley Lake next to the market. Right now, access to the shoreline may be impeded by piles of snow. Also, for what it's worth, I just don't see people setting up and ice fishing there.

Not being an ice fisher person, I can't give you first hand info on conditions but I can tell you what I see.

At the narrows (#1), parking will definitely allow at least three pickup trucks to be parked parallel to the road but nicely off the road as the state has cut out a strip for public parking there. I've seen both shanties and just tip ups there. Because of the location at the narrows and because of the depth, it doesn't seem like people go far off shore to find a nice spot. Access on foot is through a cut out in the retaining wall. Persons with mobility impairment may find this a little challenging as the "steps" are deep.

Down at the church camp, you are parked on the berm so be careful exiting or entering your vehicle's drivers seat. Walking down to the ice may be easier, I'm not sure here. I do notice that some people go fairly far out into the lake before setting up shop.

Temperature right now is 33 degrees. The Dunkirk Observer had a short report 1/21/10 that said ice fishing on Findley Lake was producing some nice pike using small suckers and large golden shiners. Again, not my area of expertise. Here's a link to the DEC rudimentary fishing map of Findley Lake: http://www.dec.ny.gov/docs/fish_marine_pdf/findlkmap.pdf

Findley Lake Sporting Goods/Hardware just north of the blinker on Rt. 426 carries worms and fishing supplies in case you forget something. The local restaurants (downtown and out of town) serve good food, beer, or just a nice hot cup of coffee. If you can come for more than a day, consider staying locally. Plenty of shopping and recreational activities for the non-fisher people in the family.

Hope to see you around town, with your stringer full and a tail to tell.