I imagine that I'm not the only one wondering if we're going to get any ice to form before the end of the month. I have a trip planned to go up the day after Thanksgiving. Lets cross our fingers and hope for some cold weather. The last two years have been very similar to this year as far as weather goes. It's iced up both years the last week of the season. Lets hope history repeats itself.
Brady
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It is feeling a little warmer than the last couple of years, but that is just my memory I will have to go back and check. The ice on Henry's depends on no wind as well as the magic temperature. Henry's has iced over at the end of Oct on certain years because it got cold enough with no wind. We can only hope for a Thanksgiving miracle.
Windriver
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I was hoping for just the opposite. I also am thinking about heading up the day after or the day before with the boat, so no ice would be good. [:/]
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It was 58 degrees in Island Park Monday . I will be fishing it Friday or Saturday . I will post a report when I get back . Curt G.
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Start doing the "cold and no wind" dance/chant/prayer with me. I am coming up to IF for Thanksgiving and have been so pumped at the opportunity to fish Henry's and IP the day before and the two days after Thanksgiving. I only need two inches (although I prefer three[
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Or here is a thought. Put on some waders, or bring a tube and get out on the water that way. Either way, they are still there, but you won't have to drill allot of holes.
Plus if it isn't frozen, then you know it it is warmer than STANDING on it.[laugh]
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The forecast is looking favorable, but it's going to be close. All I need is 1.5" of good ice and I'll venture out. Come on cold!!!!
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Looking at the forecasted temps it will be cold enough and then some at night, but the days are all forecasted to be at least a few degrees above freezing if not 10 or more for the next week. So, maybe if there is no wind at night, it only gets to the highs briefly during the day, and no one sneezes on it, then it might freeze by turkey day. On the other hand at this point I'm kinda figuring that it would be best to just stay open so I can get some fishing in the day before thanksgiving. I would like the chance to ice fish it, but I just don't see a safe amount forming in time with this outlook.
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I guess I just don't understand all the hoopla and whoop te doo about a skim of probably usafe ice, just so you can make a hole or seven and cover about a half acre of water that may or may not hold fish. I'd much rather put in a boat or a 'toon and move around and cover a lot more water with many more options. What am I missing here?
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To me the only thing I am missing is cold ice, unsafe ice, cold wind, cold weather, drilling holes, and snow. Sitting in my nice warm boat drinking coffee listening to the radio talking to friends sounds a little more fun. [:p]
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There are several things about ice fishing that make it worth it for me.
1. It evens the playing field for those of us who do not own boats.
2. I almost always catch more and bigger fish.
3. When the ice is safe I take my kids and they can fish and run around when they get board. They are not old enough to pontoon yet.
4. There is something magical about the cold, the snow the light bite and concentrating on nothing but the tip of your rod while you slowly go numb from head to toe.[
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5. I can't stand sitting around the house. If I didn't ice fish I would leave Idaho.
6. It might be in my head but fish seem to taste better in the winter. I did not keep a single fish this summer, but I will eat fish (mostly perch and Kokanee) all summer.
In all seriousness I am glad it is not for everyone. Leaves plenty of clean air and open spaces for me.
Good Luck Everyone this Winter
Windriver
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Used to ice fish a lot- as a kid either hiked out on Lake Eire or you drove out in a convertible- no top and no doors. Fished for probably 20 years in the West but just don't have the drive to do it anymore- maybe twice a year with some buddies. The bigger and more fish- maybe if I'm over fish like perch but I do much better in my pontoon over all or walking the river. Now it's cross country skiing so I can keep my lard in shape to go another year from Spring thru fall. I have gone thru the ice 5 times- What I really hope is everyone who ice fishes does it safely and gets to come home to those that care.
Touching bottom under the ice and shoving back up isn't the greatest feeling in the world. There are good times on the ice for sure- I'll just ski by you and say Hi.
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I am with you and Lew on this. The price of Tubes or a toon are within everyones price range.
However I understand the kids. But, even with being a born Idahoan, and living in the sister state, PLUS the fact I have been out on ICE "ONCE" in which I did fall in (only to waist, but still scary and COLD).
I would have a real hard time taking my children (if I had any)out on ice.
Just me.
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I've been asked that question many times and honestly I don't have a good response other than its the funnest fishing I do. This is coming from a guy who spends every waking minute that I can outdoors. I have a pontoon and a couple of tubes that I'm in all summer with a fly rod. I love fishing high mountain lakes that I'll pack my tube and fly rod into. I started fishing for sturgeon this year and have caught 8 so far. I love fishing the rivers in the fall and early spring and bass fishing is a hoot. But when it's all said and done, something about the ice fishing bite is special. Indeed its not for everyone, and as is said before, I'm glad its not. Here's a few pics of some fish caught through the ice. COME ON ICE!!!
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Ice safety with my kids is an issue. I do not take them out until later in the season when it is thicker.
Every Christmas we go on a family ice fishing vacation to a new location. We usually stay a couple of days and explore a new lake. It is really a fun tradition and gets out on a little trip in the middle of the winter.
Windriver
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I agree with everything that has been said.
Its nice to have warm snow clothes on instead of waders and kicking around all day in freezing weather. Once it gets that cold I would rather just ice fish.
It makes it easier for less "hard core" fisherman to get into a lot of fish and big fish.
Here is a picture of my mom with a 28 inch fish
My uncle with a 26
Myself with a 25
Myself with a 31"
I am 6'4 so its kinda hard to make fish look big[laugh]
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Just NOT gonna talk me into walking on water E [laugh]
I will wait to re-catch those bad boys on the LONG STICK.
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IT was worth a try[laugh] Its more fun on the long rod anyway!
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Haven't completely made up my mind where, but I am heading over to eastern Idaho the 2 days following Thanksgiving. Henry's is one of the possibles. Perhaps I'll see you there.
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Fished Henry's from the bank yesterday . Caught 6 fish from 9 AM to 1 PM . All around a pound to pound and a half . Glad I didn't take the boat the wind was bad . The lake is froze over down by the dam . I am going out this morning and will post my results . Curt G.
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