I'm hoping to take some out of towners ice fishing tomorrow and I just want to get them into some fish. Haven't heard many reports on Echo this season- any word on what condition the ice is in? How about the fishing?
Or would it be more productive to head to Rockport? I've driven by it, but never fished it. Any location suggestions there would be appreciated (a PM is great if you don't want the whole world to have your spot).
Thanks.
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I drove by Echo on Saturday the 11th, there were people fishing all along the lake and on both sides. I would have to venture to say the ice is pretty safe all around. Rockport used to be a great place to fish. I know a lot of people that have fished it this year and with the constant and extensive pressure it has received this year don't know of anyone being very successful there. Both I would say are safe to get on, if you want an opinion I think you will catch more fish at Echo than Rockport. If you are looking to get into numbers of fish however, I probably wouldn't go to either one of those. Good luck and hope you do well[
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[quote perchski]If you are looking to get into numbers of fish however, I probably wouldn't go to either one of those. Good luck and hope you do well[
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Thanks for the info.
As far as getting into higher numbers of fish, is there anywhere within 1 hour/1.5 hours to SLC that would be likely to produce more fish?
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Fishing is fishing so no guarantees but Soldier Creek or Strawberry have been fishing pretty well. Remeber the slot limits and watch out for the slush monster.
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Well from how I've done this year the best producer for numbers of fish has been Sulphur Creek, would be about 1 1/2 hrs for you from SLC. Problem is that it's in Wyoming so you would have to get a non-res daily fishing license which would cost you around $14. If you are against the out-of-state license I would tell you to go to East Canyon which is very close for you. I've seen reports that people have had mixed reviews but EC has always been good to me for some slimers. There are also people that say they have done well at the Berry. I've sworn that lake off cause it always beats me like I owe it money and never do well there. There are some good little reservoirs up north from you that I think you could catch fish, depends on what you're hoping to catch. The perchin has been aweful this year, crappies are ok. If you are looking for trout or don't care I would suggest either Sulphur or East Canyon. There are so many choices in the area picking one is often the toughest decision. Also, some thoughts for you is there are reservoirs around Woodruff and Randolph that can all produce lots of fish in a day and should have plenty of safe ice still. Whatever you decide, just being out fishing is a good time.
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Haha, I've kinda sworn off strawberry too. I almost always catch SOMETHING, but it's never a stellar day of fishing. I'm thinking Echo's going to be the ticket tomorrow. Hopefully it won't dissapoint.
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From all the EC reports of late, you best chance of catching a few fish there, is to get there early 7am at the latest because the bite has been shutting off by 9am for most folks. Either fish on the far shore line or in deeper water 60' plus. Standard trout ice fishing gear. If the bite is slow but you are seeing fish on your finder, try power bait. Good luck and let us know how you do.
WH2
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Good luck at Echo, I've been meaning to get there this year but the ice hasn't been very good all winter long. Let us know how you do though. Last year was pretty good for me on that water, managed some good trout and perch too. Same rigs for both.
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Yes EC is always better for me in the early morning. But I do most of my fishing in the early morning too. The best fishing for me at EC is always in the deep water, around the 60' mark as you stated, but the trout are very rarely on the bottom. Usually seems about the 30-35' marks the spot. I know those slimers will eat up the spikes, I'm sure power bait would work as well. You laid out some good tips but I would add to the fishing gear a good sonar, as most people know I'm pretty partial to the flasher.
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Yea, flashers can make a difference but even a regular finder is better than nothing when it comes to knowing what depth the fish are coming through. As far as the depth goes, in the early morning hours they can be very shallow, I've caught them as shallow as 8ft when it is just getting light, they seem to move deeper as the light gets brighter. At EC the trout seem to suspend more at the depths you mentioned but in other lakes, I've done better fishing within a foot of the bottom, although trout always come through at different depths, we did better near the bottom at Lost creek last week.
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Agreed, EC is different than other lakes. Most other waters I agree that trout are usually closer to the bottom for the most part. I typically like to fish a lot shallower water for trout at any other place other than EC.
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