Had a long to-do list to finish before the big game, so I penciled in a trip to Tilcowawayflex Lake on Saturday. Was greeted by stiff winds and freezing holes but luckily there are shelters and propane heaters for that
. Managed 2 Salmon on tipups and a bunch of weirdly suspended Pickerel. Lots of fish coming in hot on the flasher but wouldn't bite. Packed it in around 4pm when as I was walking off the ice, I was stopped by a Conservation Officer. Very nice guy, checked my license, made sure all my tipups had my name/address on them, checked my harvested fish, etc. Not many guys fishing where I was, so I suggested he visit Poacher's Paradise currently going on at Budd and Hopatcong. Luckily, he had been to both lakes earlier in the day and said he had observed illegal activities at both, including over the limit and short fish being kept. I thanked him for his efforts and I was on my way. Poachers beware, they are out there and they will find you!
