Fishing forecast (December through February): During cold winters, Newcastle Reservoir can cap with safe ice and provide fair to good ice fishing for rainbow trout. Use caution: Be aware of best practices for ice safety. During mild winters, the ice can be unsafe and large patches of open water can be present. Open water fishing from shore or tubes can be effective for trout with various flies, lures, jigs and baits. Smallmouth bass and wipers are less active during the winter.