Current Ice-Fishing Report

Your connection for what's happening NOW! (Updated Weekly)

Henderson Harbor and Surrounding Areas!

Updated 12/30/12

"HardWater Challenge" Derby Report

Thanks to all our participants!!!!  This was one of the best derbies ever.  Thanks to our staff and all the volunteers that helped us give away $10,000.00 in prizes.

Larry Rogers wins the HardWater Challenge with this dandy Northern Pike that weighed in over 13 lbs.

Young and Old alike turned out for the 3rd Annual Hardwater Challenge in Henderson Harbor on Feb. 19th and 20th.  Jarret Wood shows off one of his Yellow Perch while Cliff Petersen and company were displaying an early morning bite on Pickerel.

Pike fishing was slow all weekend long but Brian Flagg managed to hook this 10 lb. 6 oz. Northern at 8am on the opening morning.  The fish was taken on the first point heading into White's Bay.

Chris Oehlmann (NJ) looks over some Perch on a guided fishing trip during the HardWater Challenge.
Ryan Shanahan empties part of a bucket as he smiles for the camera during the same event.

Rick Flagg was the proud winner of the original Monster Energy Racing Helmet and Jersey.  Charlie Rawson (Head Judge) for tournament weigh-in and his wife Donna enjoy a Perch dinner at the Westview after the awards ceremony.

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 .  Think about booking an ice-fishing trip!

Guided Ice Fishing Trips - $150.00 per person Tackle and Gear Provided 315-771-3514 (cell) or at the lodge @ 315-938-5285

Mr. "Perch Bug" With Henderson Gold! Here he is, "Mr. Perch Bug" Rick Flagg with a couple of nice Stripers taken on Sunday afternoon.  Rick and I wandered out on the ice to see if there was an afternoon bite.  We got some dandy's including the two he's holding. Rick was using one of his natural colored fly designs that we call "Flame Tail".  Its a natural Brown ice fly with a short tip of red feathering that lures the fish in. When the bite is subtle, the fluid movement of small ice flies can sometimes trigger strikes from lethargic fish. See these flies at the Westview Bait Shop!

Good Sized Perch In Henderson! The "Rock" shows off two decent Perch taken over the weekend in Henderson.  Cold temps and a full moon slowed the bite from a week ago but with temps warming we expect a big catch this weekend. "White was right for the Bite" on this day as a White/Cracked Ice Swedish Pimple #3 was hottest.  This jig was tipped with a "Rosie Red". 15" inches up the line we were using a Chartreuse/Glo "Ice Tick" custom painted at the Westview Bait Shop and garnished with a Mousie. (Some of the biggest fish were coming up to take the "Tick".

Fish were biting a bit deeper in the Harbor this weekend.
Successful anglers were working the perimeter of the Sailboat
anchorage area in about 18 feet of water. (Stop at the Westview
Bait Shop and we will keep you up to date on what's happening
now)

These Yellow Perch caught  1/17/11 by Haley Saiff on a night
bite in Henderson Harbor.  These fish flurried at 4pm.

My buddy Walt Chapman holds two more big Stripers taken
on Sunday 1/16/11.  The morning bite in Henderson is strong
between 7am and 10:30am.  These fish hit on another strong
bite between 2pm and 2:30pm.

Capt. Pete Barnes pulls a dandy 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 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!

Great equipment right now at the Westview Bait Shop!  Let the professionals at Westview rig your gear so that you are catching fish like our professional guides.  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 the full service bait shop on Lake Ontario.

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....

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!

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.