Ice Fishing
- Pike and Perch are the most commonly caught fish during the winter on Lower Saranac Lake.
- A tip-up (wooden cross-shaped structure which holds a baited hook at the end of a reel of line) hangs across +/- 8" hole in the ice and springs a red flag when the fish bite, alerting the fisherman to a strike.
- When frigid winds blow, fishermen hunker down inside stove-warmed wooden shanties and tents or just retreat to their truck cabs.
- Lower Saranac has plentiful fish and is not a stocked lake.
- 4" of ice supports walkers, 5"-6" will hold snowmobiles, 7"-12" for light cars, and 14"-16" full-sized trucks.
From the 2008 History Day display, Ice Ventures on Lower Saranac Lake by Caperton Tissot
VIDEO: Saranac Lake man shows passion on the ice in popular fishing derby!
The Colby Classic Ice Fishing Derby has been since 1984. The anglers who participate do so with a passion not just for hooking the big one but also for the love of the sport and being one with nature. In researching the story I found a quote from American writer William Tapply that sums up the experience. He states, “I’ve gone fishing thousands of times in my life, and I have never once felt unlucky or poorly paid for those hours on the water.” -Josh Clement (Mountain Lake PBS)
