F&G also put airators on the lake to help keep ice open so they don't get a huge winter kill. They keep parts of the lake open all winter when they can. I haven't ice fished H's yet........ but I intend to give it a go one of these years when it freezes early now that the rules have changed. As for 5 rods, I use 5 almost always when ice fishing and have been checked by F&G several times. There places where 5 are not legal, but not many. I don't know what the regs say, but anyone in their right mind wouldn't use more than they could hold in their hand at H's. Those big guys would steal a rod in no time.
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Ya and one of the aerators is in one of the most popular places.
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When ice fishing where there is a good chance of catching big fish I still use five rods . I use reels that hold a lot of line and a light drag . I tie them to to something that can't be pull down the hole . Like my ice shanty , ice auger or my shovel I use to clear the snow off the ice . I have not lost a rod yet . I use a small bungee cord so it is quick to disconnect . Last year in Febuary there was 20" of snow on top of 28" of ice on Island Park Res . What a pain . I only went up there once . Spent most of my time on American Falls Res. Also went to Mackey Res . a few times . Curt G.
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Good Warning Everett. It really is tricky at that time of year getting to where the fish are.
I hope everyone plays it safe and wears a life jacket and brings other safety equipment or it will only be a matter of time until someone goes through the ice out too far from shore.
Last year a huge chunk of ice split off in one of the popular spots and the ice was flooded with 6" of water in minutes.
Windriver
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That is exactly what I was thinking and worrying about. Somebody is going to go to find a "hot" spot and fall through.
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I wish there was some way to mark the hot spots where the springs are . I can't imagine they would turn on the aerators that early in the season . There will have to be more than three inches before you will catch me out there . Curt G.
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I have fished Henry's off and on for several years but have yet to try it on ice. The last 2 years is all it has been open late enough. From what I have been told by people in that area both years though is that it gets up to 4" ice during the last 2 weeks of the season now. That being said, this year could be different. As for rod restrictions Idaho regs are that up to 5 rods may be used for a standard license while icefishing regardless of having a 2 pole permit unless the water being fished has a specified restriction in regards to this (see Daniels Res. in the S.E. Region 1 pole only), on p. 11 of the regs. As for the 2 fish limit you better have the rods out of the water if you have 1 fish on ice and you are landing another so there is no mistake of you still fishing after having caught your 2.
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One other thing you guys that want to ice fish Henry's might want to think about. When the lake is at it's peak level, (after Memorial Day) the water depth is only 28' at the deepest part of the lake. The average mean depth is 18' . Most of the lake is 13' average in September. What's the lake's average depth going to be in the latter part of October going into November? 10'? Not a lot of water to ice fish in. But any of you who try, bump the thread come Nov and tell us how it was.
EA and the dreadful mojorizing
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Everyone I Know that has a two pole permit keeps fishing with both poles until they have kept two fish . They don't take one out of the water after keeping one . Curt G
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I would also be one of those. I'm just saying if people have been cited or seen others cited for catching a 2nd fish and having poles still in the water it would be smart to be careful about it. On the other hand if people are still actively fishing after wacking, or throwing onto the ice, a 2nd fish they deserve to be fined and it's their own fault.
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[quote Belasko]I would also be one of those. I'm just saying if people have been cited or seen others cited for catching a 2nd fish and having poles still in the water it would be smart to be careful about it. On the other hand if people are still actively fishing after wacking, or throwing onto the ice, a 2nd fish they deserve to be fined and it's their own fault.[/quote]
ABSOLUTELY!
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I agree with you. I personally have only kept one fish in the last two years of ice fishing Henry's. I know that last year there were a bunch of plain clothes fish cops out there trying to keep everyone honest.
I hope everyone will play by the rules so that the ice fishing is not just a temporary thing.
Windriver
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All- I have fished Henry's throught the ice for both years it has been open and fished with five poles. I have had my license checked EVERY day when I am on the ice and have taken NO guff from F&G about having that amount of rods. I would be careful about having two fish on the ice and still fishing. I think they do frown on that! I don't keep anything from Henry's unless it would be a wall mounter anyway.(Still waiting!) Get there early to get a spot. It does resemble combat fishing, and I have found that certain areas get fished out pretty quickly with all the pressure on the hard water. Good luck!
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What are anglers tipping their jigs with when ice fishing Henry's?
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You are right about the combat fishing. I got tired of it and I fished an area all to myself where I thought they would be. Had a sixty fish day with my mom. I even got a super wall hanger.
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Not only is fishing after you have kept your two fish frowned upon it is illegal. I saw people ticketed for that very thing. I wish the fish and game could catch the people who keep fishing in their ice houses after they have retained their two fish.
If you want to keep fishing carefully release your fish!!!
Windriver
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