The days are ticking by and the only constant seems to be the complaints about ice conditions, or lack thereof. Single digit overnight temps in the coming forecast can’t come soon enough to allow ice anglers the chance to salvage their season.

Ice conditions are gradually improving, and this round of arctic air should help push things in the right direction. We are hearing reports of a lot of panfish and other warmwater fishing, as well as trout and splake.

Things have improved slightly over the past week with the colder nights. We have seen reports of some lake trout caught on Lake Winnipesaukee, loads of crappie and other warm water fish throughout New Hampshire and Maine, and lots of brook trout from trout waters that are frozen.

You know it’s a rough winter when people are giving up and beginning to look forward to spring.

Welcome back and happy New Year! The hope is always for cold weather and early ice, but again this year things are off to a very slow start.