CONNECTICUT
The southern part of the Constitution State often lacks safe ice, but the hills of the state's northwestern and northeastern corners produce some of the finest ice-fishing action in the region.

The Connecticut Department of Environmental Protection stocks trout in the fall. The state also has active northern pike and walleye stocking programs.

Mansfield Hollow Reservoir
This U.S. Army Corps of Engineers flood-control reservoir in northeastern Connecticut offers ice-anglers a cornucopia of fishing opportunities. Northern pike, largemouth bass, trout, yellow perch and crappies are available in this 440-acre impoundment.

The lake is shallow, with an average depth of only 6 feet. Weed growth generally covers the lake's bottom, even during the winter months. Some of the better fishing spots are along the causeway near the boat-launching area and in the coves created by the confluences of the Fenton and Natchaug rivers.

DEP studies indicate the lake has a healthy population of largemouth bass measuring 10 to 14 inches. The better to manage those bass, the DEP placed a 12- to 16-inch slot limit on the lake. Bass within that range must be released. The DEP also actively manages the lake for northern pike.

The state maintains a boat-launch ramp on the lake, and the parking lot is usually plowed throughout the winter. Access to the reservoir is close to Route 6 in North Windham.

Turn north on Bassett Bridge Road for about 1.5 miles to the ramp. Signs mark the way.

Ball Pond
Ice-anglers looking for some hot action should try Ball Pond in New Fairfield. This 82-acre pond offers some of the best trout and largemouth bass fishing in the state. The DEP stocks the pond with trout in both spring and fall. Also, according to fisheries information, the pond has an abundance of largemouth bass in the 15- to 20-inch range.

Ball Pond is a natural lake with a maximum depth of 51 feet and an average depth of 24 feet. The northern part of the pond holds the deepest water, while the southern end of the lake is shallow and weedy. There is a large alewife population to help bass thrive. Minnows and alewife-colored jigging lures are ideal for Ball Pond in winter.

Access to Ball Pond is via a small boat ramp on the southern end of the lake. Take Exit 5 off I-84 and travel north on Route 39 for about seven miles to New Fairfield.

Turn right onto Gillotti Road. Bear left onto Ball Pond Road toward the ramp's parking area.

For fishing and licensing information, call the Connecticut Department of Environmental Protection, Inland Fisheries Division, at 1-860-424-3475. For tourist information, call 1-800-282-6863.

MASSACHUSETTS
Like Connecticut and Rhode Island, Massachusetts has an active autumn trout-stocking program.

The Massachusetts Division of Fish and Wildlife also releases surplus brood-stock Atlantic salmon into select lakes and ponds around the state. While these fish are infrequent visitors to tip-ups, the trophy potential keeps many anglers coming back during the ice-fishing season.

Norton Reservoir
Shallow lakes tend to freeze quickly, so ice-anglers in the Bay State can expect 529-acre Norton Reservoir in Norton to be ready for action early in the season. Most of the lake is fairly shallow, averaging only 3 to 4 feet deep.

Ice-anglers will also enjoy fishing this lake because weed growth is sparse, so their hooks will stay clean.

This lake has a large population of small- to medium-sized white perch. Catching these fish on a jigging rod can be fast, furious and loads of fun.

Also, chain pickerel, largemouth bass, yellow perch, crappies and the occasional northern pike can come through ice holes.