Ice fishing is probably coming to an end soon on Great Sacandaga Lake and local lakes including Mayfield Lake, said Hank from Fuel-n-Food in Mayfield. Temps reached the mid to upper 40s, and rains were forecast for later this week. The weekend could be the final opportunity for the fishing locally, but waters to the north will continue to be covered with enough ice for a little longer. Fuel-n-Food’s ice-fishing tournament on Sacandaga during the weekend was a great success. The biggest walleyes entered were 27 ½ inches to 23 inches. The biggest northern pike were 45-¾-inch to 40-inch monsters. The largest rainbow trout and brown trout were 25 to 22 inches. Baits stocked at Fuel-n-Food include shiners, suckers, fatheads and icicles, and the store carries a full supply of ice-fishing tackle and gear, probably the largest selection in the area. Plus the shop is a convenience store, serves breakfast and lunch and sells all types of fuel, and is located near plenty of accommodations, not to mention fishing.

Salmon River

Steelheads concentrated in the pocket areas and the deeper pools in the river, because of a 285 CFS flow, said Jim at All Seasons Sports in Pulaski. Black stoneflies and egg sacks in chartreuse, orange or pink worked well to hook an average of three to five of the fish, 6- to 8-pounders, per angler. On Sandy Pond, the northern end held pretty solid ice, but this might be the last weekend when ice fishing is possible. Yellow perch and northern pike inhaled buckeyes and emerald minnows dropped down on tip-ups.