Fishing Forum

Stopped by Ririe on the way back from the ski hill this evening. BTW, the snow at Kelly's was great and had some decent powder []. Anyway, Ririe was completely covered with ice. I wandered down to the end of the dock w/ a rock and threw it at the surface. It took to throws to the same spot to break through, but it did. The ice is about 1.5 inches thick (give or take a small amount). I wouldn't be comfortable on it yet considering that I could make it crack by stomping hard on it from the safety of the dock. However, with the forecast for no days above freezing (except maybe one) for the next week I bet it gets drilled next weekend!
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I heard some guys climbed down the dam face and drilled today. They tie themselves off to the rocks with ropes. I just can't see going swimming there this time of year.

I'm thinking it will be 3" or better sooner rather than later!

I can't wait!
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Yea that's crazy! Now I"ve tied myself to my pickup once when stealhead fishing on the salmon but to take that chance to catch something small like perch or small kokanee......?-not going to happen[crazy]
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At least Ririe doesn't have current!

Since these guys are in their late 60's you'd think they would know better.
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I'll give you that on the current- I haven't done this for yrs, once I really thought it through. I would be dead from the cold/drowning before I could pull myself out of the river! []
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So any reports?????? Ppl prob keeping it on the low but maybe ill take the drive from poky to ck it out. Just was wanting to see if anyone new for sure the ice conditions. Thanks.
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I don't know for sure, but from what I saw on sat. people should be fishing parts of it this weekend.

Windriver
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It was in Post register today that ice is on at Ririe and they are fishing and that ice fishermen are keeping it quite that fishing is on. They also reminded that a permit is needed at Ririe and as of yesterday, only 25 winter permits had been sold. Good news I guess for those of you who fish it and permits are unlimited this year.

Hey guys,

I work near Ririe, so I decided to check it out this morning. There's 3 to 3 & 1/2" of Ice (didn't have a measuring tape). I talked to a guy who was out fishing in about 60' of water, hadn't had a bite yet. I ventured out on it a little, felt real solid and super clear. Couple spots where a few guys had been fishing. I'm going out there probably tomorrow morning early to see if I can get a bite or two.

How does one get a permit to fish there?
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The ice is 3" but is super soft. A spud bar would go right through it yesterday. Do not try to go across the lake without a bar to test the ice!

You can pick up a permit downstairs in the county court house at the Commissioner's office, second door on the right I believe, or you can stop out at the office at Ririe. The two season stickers were $75.00.
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ditto on the safety. I think the more people keep pushing the envelope on getting out for early ice at places like Ririe, its just a matter of time before someone takes a swim
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We've been there once, last summer. Paid to park and fished off the docks. Do we need a permit to fish now? What if we bring the boat this summer?
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Fishing of the docks could get you a ticket. They frown on that but you can fish off of the bank next to the docks. The permit is for parking only. Your Idaho Fishing license and boat license fees pay for the rest. Parking is $5.00 a day on the weekends and less during the week unless they raised that fee as well. The permits we have are season passes.
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Safety first. There was a guy at Fish Lake in Utah who broke through the ice (6-7" where they checked in several places going out) on their return walk across the lake in the same place.
Boating throw ropes and life jackets are a great items to take.
What was decided about motor vehicles on the lake? Did they leave it to ATV's only?
Todays Post Register outdoors article about Ririe said there are facilities at Blacktail and Juniper. Makes it sound like they are both open. That would be nice to spread people out
I plan on going to closer places to fish more this year so I will not buy a year permit or buying bait or gas from those along the way to Ririe to fish.
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The weekday permits, Mon-Fri, are only $3/day. Atleast that's what's posted at the entrance.
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[quote kentd71]Todays Post Register outdoors article about Ririe said there are facilities at Blacktail and Juniper. Makes it sound like they are both open. That would be nice to spread people out
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Have the rules changed? Did they open Blacktail for ice fishing, or is this a case of "Do not believe everything you read in the newspaper" thing?
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Maybe that end of the lake is open one mile from the ramp . . .

but, it's illegal to go across the federal winter refuge to get there.
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F&G regulations still say: " Ice fishing is restricted to the area from the dam to the posted boundary about 1 mile upstream"
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I don't think the other end is open. In the new Reg's it still says ice fishing is restricted to the area from the dam to the posted boundary about 1 mile upstream.[frown]

Jim
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Beat me too it.[]
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