It finally seems like really cold weather is here to stay and to make ice on the local bodies of water. From checking the ice reports on IceShanty.com, some local spots weren’t quite frozen solid as of a week ago but this week’s weather likely finished the job.

Since it is still new ice, use caution and check the ice thickness often. If you are looking for a new place to try this year, here is a rundown of the ice fishing opportunities in Chenango County.

Balsam Pond: Located outside of McDonough, Balsam Pond is located on the Balsam Swamp State Forest and is about perfect for panfish. The pond is shallow and full great fish cover. There are stumps and sunken logs along the eastern shore and in the northern end plus there are aquatic plants almost everywhere else. The most prevalent fish in Balsam Pond are pumpkinseed and bluegill, with largemouth bass and chain pickerel also present. Due to the abundance of cover, smaller fish survive better and will keep you busy when jigging. When fishing Balsam Pond, don’t be afraid to move around until you find the bigger fish. Be careful when thinking about fishing here as the roads in the State Forest can be bad after fresh snowfall.

Long Pond: Part of Long Pond State Forest outside of Smithville, Long Pond is a 100-acre-plus pond that have a good variety of fish species present. The chain pickerel population is robust and can entertain tip-up fishermen all day sometimes. Those who like to jig often target crappie at dusk and at dawn. The northern shore has some weedbeds while the middle of the pond is deep enough to limit vegetation growth.

Mill Brook Reservoir: Located outside of New Berlin, Mill Brook Reservoir is one of a few spots where you can target trout through the ice in Chenango County. While the reservoir is stocked in the spring when most streams are stocked, some trout manage to make it through to the winter. Use tip-ups with minnows or small shiners set at varying depths from just under the ice to the bottom in the deep area in front of the dam. The opposite end from the dam is shallow and holds panfish and some roaming yellow perch. Crappie can be caught at dusk and dawn at intermediate depths with the help of fish finders.

Guilford Lake: This deep, almost perfectly round kettle lake in located outside of Guilford. Guilford Lake is another option if you want to target trout through the ice. Like at Mill Brook Reservoir, tip-ups fished at multiple depths of the water column in deep water are the go-to method for trout. During the most recent NYSDEC survey in 2016, pumpkinseed were the most prevalent species followed by yellow perch and largemouth bass. Look for these species in shallower water on the north and west sides of the lake.

Hunts Pond: A former State Park, Hunts Pond now is managed by NYSDEC as part of Hunts Pond State Forest outside of New Berlin. Hunts Pond is similar to Balsam Pond in terms of physical characteristics and diversity of fish species present. As a small, shallow water body Hunts Pond is a good bluegill and pumpkinseed fishery. Jigs tipped with spikes or waxworms are popular. Just like Balsam Pond, the roads going to Hunts Pond may be in less favorable conditions compared to other roads nearby so use caution driving there.

Chenango Lake: Located outside of Norwich, Chenango Lake is most well known as the home of the former perch derby. The lake is medium in depth and has decent drop-offs that are usually associated with good perch habitat. The lake also has bluegill, chain pickerel, smallmouth, and largemouth bass. The north end of the lake has a gentler slope that can hold pickerel and panfish.