This summer I made a goal to become a better river fisherman/streamer fisherman. Mission accomplished. The problem is I didn't fish any still waters this summer at all. I thought it might be useful to forcast how we think various waters will play out for ice fishing.
I'm not asking for any spots just what size fish we could expect and the water levels for lakes such as Mackay, Island Park, Henry's, Deep Creek, Magic, Chesterfield, Ririe, Pali
es, Roberts, Jefferson Lake, etc...
I'll start by saying I really only fished Ririe for Kokanee. It was a great year with many days limiting out on 14" ers. That being said I think that was the four year old class that spawns so I don't know how many three year olds there are? We didn't catch too many of the 11-12" size ones this year. We got some rainbows in the 12" size that seemed healthy. The water levels seem very good for this time of year as well.
Windriver
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Good Question.
I do not roll past the Point of Mountain.
Idaho
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The only place that I know for sure is Deep Creek. Water level is just slighly below last year, but still ok. However on average the size of the fish is down from past years. I think this is partly because of the pressure. I have fished Deep Creek for many years and I have been shocked how hard this place has been hit this year. Of all of the times that I have gone up there is always a crowd (even during the middle of the week). So, my average is down and due to the pressure this year, I think that this place won't fish as well for ice fishing.
I did fish Chesterfield in June like I always do. Let's just say by the number of people that weren't there shows how good it has been fishing (maybe all of these people are fishing Deep Creek). I know there are a few bigs ones in there still, but not like the last two years. For the several trips that I took up there the number caught was way down. I've heard that the lake is down pretty low, but I haven't been up that way since June.
I think fishing the river was probably a better option this year. At least compared to these two lakes and the number of fish that I have caught compared to prior years.
Best of luck.
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Chesterfield went lower than I have ever scene it.. I predict a heavy kill off over winter due to lack of oxigen to low of water.. Deep creek same story it will have a rough winter.. All the little reservoirs Bering trout around also got low.. I don't think ice fishing will be so hot this year.. On a side note if you want to go tangle some carp on a near weekend in soda let me know I have them figured out for the most part..
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Roberts or Jefferson? Tell me more please.
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Mackay should be good this winter. Last year's bajillion 6-8 inch kokanee will be keepers by now.
Roberts never changes. Love to take the grandkids out to catch those dinky perch.
Jefferson will be the same old. Fish it early or they will taste like the lake bottom.
Anyone want to make a Henry's or Island Park prediction?
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Thanks everyone. I've noticed at Deep Creek the pressure is out of hand for such a small lake.
Jefferson (Rigby) Lake is an underutilized family fishery. As soon as the ice gets safe you can usually expect great family fishing for stockers since relatively few people fish it in the summer from water craft. There are some deep holes in the middle that the fish go to after being stocked during the summer. Then they spread out as the water temps dip.
Does anyone know what to expect at Magic? or Montpelier?
Windriver
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I think Henry's is going to be good for lots of 2 and 3 pounders and very few big fish . Island Park will be the same as last year . The lake is 53 percent hopefully they will let out whats going in and we won't end up with a lot of water on top of the ice .
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I think Deep Creek will be good. Let the derby begin. It went from Devils to Deep Creek.
Some fish for fun. Others, for Money.
Idaho
P.S
Some tried Cheasterfield. It is your call.
Ice on.
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