Plummeting temperatures last week raised hopes for what could be one of the latest ice fishing seasons in decades.

"Given how cold it's going to be, fishable ice is a pretty sure bet," Accu-Weather meteorologist Dave Dombek predicted late last week. "We're going to be locked into a colder than normal weather pattern for the foreseeable future. The air mass coming in [tomorrow] and Tuesday will be as bitter as what we're already having and we could see more snow."

Lows in the single digits and highs in the teens are forecast and could put temperatures at 25 degrees below the 30-year average.

"We could see the 4-inch minimum needed for safe fishing in pretty short order, although it won't occur at a uniform pace. The shallower the lake, the quicker it will freeze. Deep lakes will take longer. Ice will vary with a lake's size and structure," Dombek said.

Snow can slow ice formation or cause it to be cloudy -- a concern in Erie and other counties that recently were pounded by snow -- although that, too, will vary, depending on how much strong, clear ice has developed beforehand, Dombek said. "If a good ice base is there, it won't matter how much snow we get, although the ideal is for a lot of safe ice to form in a short period with no snow."

"Early fishing might not be as hot as it would be in a drier winter," said Ron Anderson of Appalachian Trails near Lake Arthur in Butler County. He, nonetheless, quadrupled his order of live bait last week and fielded dozens of phone calls from eager anglers.

"What makes first ice so good is that it's typically clear enough to let in light without snow cover, and fish can spot bait. That might not be the case in many places this year," he added.

Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission biologist Rick Lorson also believes first ice may be more challenging.

"We've had down temperatures without ice for such an extended period, fish have been inactive much longer than in other years with ice. It's just a matter of timing, but first ice might not be that good this year. Late ice should be the same as it always is," he said.

Fish Commission studies show that more trophy fish are caught in February than any other month. It is the top month for catches of big bass, whether or not there is ice, and for walleyes and pike, just before they spawn.

While water temperature is the main force in fish feeding and spawning, increasing daylight also cues fish behavior, Lorson said.

The sun is still low in the sky and will be for weeks, although days have lengthened by 35-40 minutes since the winter solstice Dec. 22. A frigid pattern may keep ice around until March.

"But it will get to the point where the sun starts to be a factor," Dombek said. "Eventually, it will get high enough that if there's dark ice on a lake, it will absorb solar energy and the safety of the ice will be affected, no matter how cold it is."

Last week's plunging mercury warmed the hearts of folks such as Mike Kuna, a competitive ice angler trying to drum up support for local tournaments.

"I'm knocking on every piece of wood I can find," he said of the promising forecast last week. "I know a lot of guys are like horses at a gate, just waiting to bust out."

Weeks of unseasonable weather had forced cancellation of ice fishing contests as far north as Wamplers Lake in Brooklyn, Mich., although Kuna, who fishes for Ice Team, which is sponsored by shanty and tackle manufacturers, is optimistic about event next Sunday on Silver Lake in Perry, N.Y.

Southwestern Pennsylvania waters with the potential to freeze first include Highpoint Lake and Lake Rowena, because of their elevations. Highpoint, which is the highest reservoir in the state, is weedy and deep, and offers bass -- mostly largemouths -- northern pike, crappies, perch, bluegills and brown bullhead catfish. Rowena, which is drawn down to half its level in winter, is stocked with trout.

Northwestern Pennsylvania has a bounty of hard-water hot spots, including Lake Arthur, where from 2000-05 anglers iced more trophy largemouth bass, crappies and northern pike than anywhere else in the state, although the Allegheny Reservoir ran a close second for pike.

Others spots include Lake Wilhelm for panfish, Pymatuning Reservoir for walleyes, Shenango Reservoir for crappies, Kahle Lake for panfish, Conneaut Lake for crappies, muskies and pike, and Lake Justus for trout and bass.

Presque Isle Bay's Horseshoe Pond, Misery Bay and Marina Lake typically offer good action on perch, panfish and steelhead.

Anglers are reminded that extreme caution always should be exercised when going out onto ice. Kuna advises drilling holes or bouncing a spud bar on frozen lakes to check thickness, carrying 50 feet of rope and wearing picks of life around the neck and down the sleeves of your jacket, so they're always handy.

Avoid ice over underwater springs and around heat-holding structures, such as fallen timber and bridge piers. Always ice fish in groups or with a buddy.

Kuna's Web site, www.keystonecrappie.com, includes an excellent Discovery Channel video on surviving a fall through the ice.

For more ice fishing tips visit, www.fish.state.pa.us.