Here is the Idaho Fish and Games video on the data they gathered from this winter's icefishing season. There are a lot of interesting stats.
I know my catch rates were much faster than what they are saying is average. I also think a few more fish were taken over the icefishing season than what they are estimating, but the fact that they are planting a large number of "super hybrids" to make up for it is an interesting idea.
I love Henrys and hope the icefishing is sustainable.
What do you all think?
[url "http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XRxKiG7QIAc"]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XRxKiG7QIAc[/url]
Windriver
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Thanks for the info . That report is very good news . I hope they decide to leave the lake opened year round . Curt G.
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I really hope they don't leave it open year around. On a year like this when the snow isn't too deep, the biggest fish would be picked out by spring.
As is everyone has an opportunity to enjoy a great lake for a good amount of time.
Windriver
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Thanks for sharing that. I am glad to hear it had very little impact. I would also say my catch rate was also a lot higher than what they said, but I only fished it twice. I plan on hitting it a lot more next winter. I think the season is perfect how it is right now.
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Im already looking forward to next year but i agree with you open all year may not be a good thing
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I sure wish it was open all year....mostly because come July I will be moving away and wont have another chance to fish the hard deck! I only made one trip but it sure was memorable! I would say my catch rated were also much higher.
I like how they maintain Henrys as it is now. I do wish they would patrol a little better on opening weekend but that would require a small army! I try to stay away until its bearable and the crowds have gone home.
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I think their rates a little low but it is prob pretty close for the average person up there. I asked the biologist doing The surveys if they were considering it open year round and she said there was very little chance that would occur.
Call me crazy but I would like to see them take some focus off the hybrids and place it on the brooks.
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Thats funny she told me just the opposite . She said if there was a huge impact it would go back the way it was before . If there was little impact , they could extend it . Curt G.
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I for one would like to see the season there extended, possibly through the 1st of April or something. The F&G said there were an estimated 1/2 million catchable fish in that lake. I don't believe for a minute that extending the season would cause all the trophy fish to be harvested. One interesting fact I thought was that the estimated catch & keep on opening day of 2011 was more than the entire keep from the ice fishing season. Anyway, that's my 2 cents.
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The stats jive pretty well with what I saw. I personally did a little better than the stats, but I talked to a lot of people who didn't do anywhere near the stats. Stats are a sampling. Some of the individual measurements will be above the mean, others will be below. That's what makes them stats. It would be interesting to have a look at all the data.
I'm not sure I believe there are 500,000 harvestable fish in Henry's. I believe it is a lot higher than that. Perhaps even double that or more. Even so, at 500,000 harvestable fish, the <1% taken to ice fishing isn't hardly a drop in the bucket. I don't think they should leave it open year round, but I don't see how leaving it open through January or even February would make much difference. I'd support it even though I'll only make it over there once a year anyway.
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I would like to see the season extended. It seems like it would be better. Not, as many people hitting it hard, because you know you may have some other days, months, to do it. As, the F&G are saying, they are planting more. I just hate combat fishing. But, what the heck do I know.
Idaho
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I think they should open it year round and get it over with. This adding a month every year is getting really old.[cool][cool]
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I ice fished Henry's 5 times and was check by the same person 4 times . She said she was on the lake at least 4 times a week . I think on average it was more than that . She was very nice and sharing information on what was working and where . Curt G.
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The stats have got to be a little more than talking to people, isn't it?[
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Didn't I read once that it is over a three year period before they have all the info?
Maybe not.
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I wish they'd go back to the regular schedule.( no ice fishing) In all the videos I've seen and even this one by F$G those fish are flopping around on the ice/snow. That's not good for the fish.
What was the survival rate of those released fish? I see no mention of that. Those need to be accounted for. The size of fish in the lake is declining and ice fishing isn't going to help this any. Super hybrids huh? I caught so many of those stupid things this year(12-15") They would swallow lures and flies. They were like a hungry wolf pack. Survival isn't high on thier list.
Henry's has been one of the best fisheries around due to the size of the fish in there.
Targeting the larger fish opening week and later through the ice when they are most vulnerable reminds me of how IDF$G manages the deer herds in this state.
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Year round but with a slot limit. One fish over 20" and one under 15". That would half the trophy take.
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[quote brookieguy1]Year round but with a slot limit. One fish over 20" and one under 15". That would half the trophy take.[/quote]
Sounds good huh
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Henry's is a put and take Res. It is planted very heavy and fished the same . I can't tell you how many times I have watched fish played way to long and then netted , dragged and banged into a boat and the hook degorged and blood running down the side to only be released . Over and Over again . I think it is over planted . There is only so much food to go around . I don't think a contest with 150 people would have much of an impact . I don't think ice fishing has much of an impact . The slauter during the spawn , I think has an impact . just my 2 cents . Curt G.
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[quote curt69] I think it is over planted . There is only so much food to go around . Curt G.[/quote]
With all due respect, fish don't get big and fat when there is not enough food to go around. H's is not over planted. Nor is it over fished. But it does warrant protection.
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