What would the impact be on Henry's Lake if it was opened to ice fish in the winter ? There is a lake in Utah called Strawberry Reservoir that is open year round . I read the Utah Forum a lot and guys report 50 fish days . It has some strange limits , with slot restrictions and stuff but how can they sustain that kind of fishing and not hurt the fishery . And if they can do it there then why can't we do it at Henry's . Just thought I would see what the other members thoughts are on this subject . Thanks Curt G.
[signature]
I have no Idea of the biology of Henry's but that would be fun to ice fish there. As for Strawberry in Utah the DWR web site lists a fish stocking report and they dump 100,000s of cutthroat a yr in there. And they are all long skinny with a big head. Henry's fish seem to be a lot fatter per inch. Just a thought.
[signature]
The fish spread out in strawberry more than they do in Henry's. Strawberry is much deeper of a lake. When Henry's has a bad winter it has been known to winter kill some of the fish on those years the fish congregate at a few springs for survival. If we had year around ice fishing the fish would be very vulnerabable.
As the regulations now stand people cherry pick the biggest fish off of Henry's If people had all winter to sort through the fish and take the two biggest ones. The genetics might be effected in the long run.
Just some thoughts no scientific proof. I am happy with the way the season is now.
Windriver
[signature]
Strawberry is many times larger than Henrys- just not the same scenario at all. To me Henrys is like that old boat motor saying " If it isn't broken don't fix it." I would sure hate to take the chance and possibly see the summer thru fall fishing go down the tubes because of changing the regs.
[signature]
Some times when the lake has been lowered to below 15' or less and we have a long cold winter . There is always a winter kill . It seems like a waste to let them go to waste under the ice . I don't know but it seems like if there were a few hole punched in the ice it would lets some of the gas caused by the moss trapped under the ice escape and cause more oxygen for the fish . Plus a few less fish the more air for the ones that are left . Just a thought . Thanks Curt G.
[signature]
I know everyone will have different opinions on this subject so this is my last word.
Can you imagine if Henry's were open all winter for ice fishing. It would be the #1 ice fishing destination in the west. Maybe even the U.S. As the ice became snowmobilable people would come from a long ways for a shot at a 30" fish. Heck they already watch the ice formation centimeter by centimeter as it is for the week that it freezes. As word spread I can see it getting nearly as much pressure as it does during the summer. The fish would be hounded in the holes where they congregate. Would any of you fish Ririe, Pali
es, Roberts, Island Park, Mudlake, or Hebgen for that matter if Henry's were open? I sure wouldn't, I would be up there every available fishing day.
This kind of pressure may or may not have an effect on the summer fishing, but why chance it?
One option that I thought of that would be cool would be a limited ice fishing draw. Like say 10 tags a day for the right to fish Henry's during the winter. Kind of like a big game drawing. I think that would be awesome. It would provide opportunity without the extreme pressure.
Windriver
[signature]
Definitely some interesting ideas coming up. As for curt69's idea about punching holes in the ice to let gases escape I think they already do something to that effect with using aerators to prevent winter kill. Unfortunately from what I understand it is a localized effect. Basically causing another congregation spot for fish.
As for fishing other waters if Henry's were open all year, I would fish the others, largely d/t proximity from home. But I definitely would be making a trip or two up there. I like the idea of a "controlled fishing permit" during the winter months. But at the same time, how well monitored would it be? Would it just make it easier for someone to go poach fish that doesn't have the permit?
Overall I like the current season pretty well. I would like for it to stay open another week or two for a real chance to ice fish it at the end, but we don't always get everything.
On another note I've heard rumors of a couple groups in Island Park area trying to get the season changed back to the old one that ends at the end of October. Does anyone know anything about this? I hope they don't do it. I still haven't had a chance to hit that lake on hard water!
[signature]
The permit/draw idea would be entertaining and even though I am not a die hard ice fisherman anymore (though I was) I think that the Nov close is fine .
[signature]
Very interesting subject.
I would love to have a little more opportunity to ice fish it, but I also agree that it would be a shame to ruin a good thing.
What if it were opened one day a week, or for a two week period in Jan. Or, how about convincing F&G to have a tournament or two each year with the profit portion going to improvements in fishing opportunities around the state.
I personally would love to see a lot more lake and rivers with a two fish limit forcing people to let the fish grow a little more. I recently sent in a suggestion to change the regs on Horsethief to tropy regs. I know this would not be popular with a lot of people, but IMO, if you want to catch bigger fish, you have to compromise somewhere. I would love to see several more lakes in the state with similar regs, but I don't think it will happen any time soon.
[signature]
I say it is fine the way it is...they already extended the fishing time by a month plus added 24 hour. I have seen shallow lakes locally go to crap, not saying because of ice fishing, but the year round pressure.
Beside, isn't that what Island Park and Pali
es or even American Falls for?[cool][cool]
Everyone forget about the RECORD BROWN taken out of Ashton?
By the way, this wasn't directed at you iwantabuggy, you were just last on the list LOL
Why isn't there a general reply button?
[signature]
No worries. I didn't take it that way anyway. It is a very interesting topic, IMO. Goddess, in a lot of ways you are lucky to live in Utah. I lived there for a short time (about 4 years), and I'd have to say that at that time at least (from about 1985-89) the fisheries in Utah were managed far better than Idaho's. I believe it is still the same. Idaho does a good job on a few places, and pretty much ignores the rest. At least thats the way I see it.
[signature]
I like the draw idea , and as for poaching it would give Fish and Game something to do during a very slow time of year .
[signature]
Everybody knows that the maximum size hole you can drill is 8", and the fish in Henry's won't fit through the holes. That's why they close the season
]
[signature]
Great Topic!
Just my two cents; I am glad I just got November. Being almost an exclusive icefisherman it gives me the opportunity to hit a prime lake for a week. I, like others, feel this is the best compromise, and I would not want Henry's to have a mistake that it would take years to fix. To me the last week in November is like the ice fishing Christmas you wait forever, but when it comes it is so worth it in reference to Henry's. Like it was mentioned we have several places to hook big fish. Pali
es is my paradise; only a few reguarly fish it because it is so difficult to set up at, and don't forget Bear Lake it has fish that takes ninety feet/fifteen minutes of reeling to land.
OvidCreek
[signature]
The maximum hole size is 10" and you can get a pretty big fish through a 10" hole . Curt G.
[signature]
Great post! I have fished both Henry's and Strawberry through the ice this year and last. They are completely different lakes. Strawberry is an incredible fishery that can sustain consistent fishing pressure because of the slot limit, the size of the lake and the sheer numbers of fish in there. Henry's lake on the other hand is a much smaller lake that is shallow as you know. I really don't think it would be a good idea to allow ice fishing all year. I love the idea of having a draw. I would be all over that. I'm very happy that they extended the season until the end of November. It truly is my early Christmas present that I look forward to every year. If I could only fish one day a year, it would be Henry's the day after Turkey day. That lake is truly world class.
Brady
[signature]
Now if Idaho would just change it's Licenses to 365 days all would be good.
They even talked of raising out of staters to $95.
I would pay it "IF" I could fish from the date I bought it to the same date following year.
And before anyone jumps on the OUT OF STATE thing...I was born and raised in Idaho, but my work is in Utah.....LOL
[signature]