CT DEEP Offers Extensive Ice Fishing Lessons for Connecticut Residents

Ever since I first saw Grumpy Old Men, whenever it gets this cold here in Connecticut, I've kind of wanted to give ice fishing a try. Maybe it's the look of satisfaction on Jack Lemmon's face as he sinks back in his cozy little fishing hut in the movie, but it's always looked like it would be a lot of fun.

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Grumpy Old Men is set in Minnesota, where they have brutal, extended freezing temps, (and 10,000 lakes). We're Connecticut, with some of the cold, and a fraction of the inland water that they have. But more importantly, I have no idea how to ice fish safely.

If you're like me, and have always wanted to try it, the State of Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (CT DEEP) Fisheries Division's CARE Program will be offering up extensive in-person and Zoom Learn to Ice Fish classes this month, and also in February at multiple locations in our area.

The courses will cover safety on the ice, how to dress, where to go, what equipment you'll need, baits, techniques, and tactics. You'll be mowing them down like John Gustafson in no time.

The bad news is that two in-person ice fishing classes scheduled this month are already full. The great news is that there are plenty of online Zoom classes and a couple more in-person field trip courses still available. The in-person courses will happen at Litchfield's White Memorial Conservation Center (Hi Gerri Griswold) on 1-29-22, and there will also be classes put on at Torrington's Burr Pons State park, Coventry Lake, and Winding Trails in Farmington.

To learn more, and to sign up, click HERE