I was probably the last person to fish newton for this ice season. I fished for a couple of hours in the evening, and caught just a few small to mid sized crappie. The ice is rotting fast and the water level is rising. I had to wade into just below my chest and pull myself up on the ice. Luckily I wore my waders and my sled full of gear floated. I guess I'll spend the rest of the disappearing ice season in Idaho, as I am guessing that newton will keep getting worse by the minute.
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Hey Capt. glad you caught some fish and got on and off the ice safe and thank you for the ice fishing report sound like its getting closer to getting the boat ready to go. thanks again and good luck fishing
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Well, I made it out there today, and crazy me will try tomorrow. Had a good day too. Will post more tomorrow. Needed a 20' extension ladder to get out on the ice. Might bring a canoe to get out on it tomorrow. Ice was 13 inches thick @ 30 yards off shore.
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Ok - so maybe we've got "there" -
friend was joking me before that I should use my Jon-Flatbottom AS an ice fishing sled. No worry on the edges. But pulling that sucker, I don't think so! (more power - woof woof).
Ben - man I envy the time - you've had some good fishn on that pond. I'd love to try it - but it's been SO damned warm.
I got some bass/musky that are gonna get chased this spring, for SURE!
Shirts - text me if you go Ben. Or, I might just try hitting Hyrum. Though - it might be time for higher elevations!
Think I'll throw the waders in, just in case. If I'd had those last Sun - I woulda been on. Don't know that my Frabil would float - it's so shallow (and piled up with crap) maybe if I bring the Jet sled - and skip the tent. This warm!!! Who needs it!
Yeah. No tent needed. I got my hands on a canoe. Yeah, call me crazy, but it is Saturday tomorrow and I HAVE to get one more day on the ice in, and I'm not wanting to go to Hyrum. So I am heading out fairly early in the morning to Newton, canoe and all. Should be interesting. Of course, if it's too crazy, I will be content with today as my last day on the ice out there this season.
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Man you guys are ballsy!!! I hope you are at least catching some tiger muskie to make risking your life worth it!! Any way good luck, and be as safe as possible. I sure hope the panfish in newton get back to the size they used to be 10 years ago.
MM
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You know, I have been catching some pretty nice perch out of there this week - 8-10 inches. And yeah, I have been catching some muskie too. The ice, once you are on it, isn't bad. The top 3 inches is pathetic, but under that, you have a good 8-10 inches. But if I have any doubt, I won't be on it, that's for sure. I have been on it every day this week, and the edges really suck. I will post my week tomorrow eve.
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Wow! You are more dedicated than me, and I thought I was pretty dedicated. I know what you mean about Hyrum. I had my fill of that in one trip there this year. The muskies are fishing pretty good this year, and it's pretty fun to catch them, though I haven't landed one on the hard deck, I've had enough bites and break offs to keep me entertained. I just hope that they are not taking to much of a toll on the other fish. It's a a pretty small lake and it's loaded with tiger muskies. It would be nice to have a bigger population of medium sized fish.
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I landed my first one today, then two more. I will make a post about it tomorrow evening. But call me crazy! However, I won't risk too much just for fishing through the ice. I have had fun out there this week, and I wish I would have spent more time out there this year. But it just gives me more to look forward to next season through the ice.
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You're not kidding!
So Ben texts me this morning that they're headed out there with a canoe this time.
Had a friend joke that I should use my 'lil 12ft flatbottom Jon boat for an ice sled. Float on, slide off.
Prob' a bit heavy to tow w/o a powertoy.
If I can get my son to wake up - we may head over and try Hyrum. My thermometer might read 40, but my pond has reskimmed. Yesterday the fish were basking in the sunshine. Hadn't seen 'em for a while. Good to know they're still floating, and not belly up!
Think I'll toss in some long rods this time. Who knows, made end up down the river....
Ben's got bit by musky fever I think. Seen it before (felt it TOO!) Looking forward to open water there, 'specially while it's too cold for the ski/wake squad.
Far as the Musky pop - now that they have a breeding program, and pups they introduced are now into the 20" range, maybe it's time to open a slot and limit on 'em?
I'm sure some are getting pretty tired of the same 'ol routine - drag, pull,
, swim.
Might help the bass, and crappie along.
It's easy to catch that musky fever.
I agree on opening up a slot limit...there seems to be WAY to many of them in there. I remember newton growing up, there were musky, but very few and it was a real trophy and a feat to catch them. The panfish were abundant and huge. Now i go catch them every trip out through the ICE, it's not even exciting anymore. Some days open water it's not a big deal to catch half dozen or more... And it sure seems the panfish have taken a long time to get any size to them...but i'm no biologist. The way i see it is that they need to reduce the number in there huge, newton is really a small lake, and it's frustrating when you put in serious time to find a good school of crappie, and suddenly a dang tiger comes through and the panfish are gone for hours.
let's open it up to tigers! I'm sure getting tire of the routine...drag, pull,
, swim...it's time to add in a "bonk"
sorry to high-jack your thread capt.nereus, just wanted to vent about the muskies........ let's go knock some panfish in idaho again!!!
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