I spent last winter getting my ice gear ready for this year. Hut, rods, gas auger, sled, finder...now I just need some safe ice. My daughters, 10 and 14, are very excited to go ice fishing. What we catch is not really important as long as something is biting.
I'll be honest-I'm a soft water power angler. The finesse of ice fishing is a little out of my comfort zone but after going to the berry last Sunday I am ready for more ice action. I had fun but the catching was...meh. There are some places that I would walk to on the berry to ice fish but I'm unsure of the ice.
I would like to get some perch from Fish Lake but unsure of the ice. Mantua, unsure of ice. Starvy, unsure of ice. Flaming Gorge, I don't care about burbot but where do I go for mack pups or rainbows?
I'll trade a trip on my boat for some bass fishing in the spring time for some help on the safe ice,
Help a Brother out! Where do I go?
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John, if you don't mind a hike I would suggest you head to Electric Lake and walk across the dam.
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Send you a PM
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Fish Lake has some safe ice. But you will find it on the south and north ends--which are great for catching trout and perch.
They have an up-to-date FB page and direct number to the lodge for current conditions. Access is usually pretty easy, but having a 4x4 never hurts for un-plowed roads. Weather has been warm and almost windless at times. With this high pressure moving out soon, there may be a chance of some strong gusts down there.
Here's a link to their FB page: https://www.facebook.com/fishlakeresorts
Fish Lake is near and dear to me. I used to live in Bicknell, but I am doing the whole "college thing" right now. Hopefully my edumacation will bring for cash for fishing!
Send me a PM if you want some specifics. Good luck!
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I'm seriously contemplating taking my youngest two out somewhere first thing Sat am. Haven't decided among all the various options - I did well for larger fish last Sat, but also considering going somewhere the fishing might be more consistent for smaller fish (i.e. guaranteed catching).
If you want to follow my tracks on the ice to see if I fall in first, I'd be willing to lead the way.
And, you didn't mention that you have a heater. If I'm taking my youngest ones, I'll be dragging along the big buddy heater and keeping the big tent warm!
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Oh yeah, I do have a heater. Where are you going?
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Still haven't settled on the target yet. I would like to hit fish lake, but that will depend on what the temps do in the next 36 hours. It's 39 there right now, and only got to 22 last night.
Strawberry is an option, as I think I can put my kids on the planter rainbows, but still have a chance at some larger cuts. If you find the planters, the action can be nearly constant.
Scofield is high on the list, simply because of the thickness of the ice, and the back-up of chubs in the unlikely event the trout decide not to play.
If I can get my smitty sled together in the next two nights, then E lake is an option as well. I'm up for a hike, but not so excited for it if packing all the extra gear for two kids in a standard jet sled.
I've done FG. I'm more aiming at a very early start than lingering around until evening. And if I'm after medium/large trout, there are other options closer by.
There are a few others I'm considering as well.
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I was just eyeballing Fish Lake on their FB page. That is high on my list right now but I'm not sure where to fish it.
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If you want to hit fish lake I'm more then willing to tag along and split the gas but not going to be able to go fishing till next weekend if I'm lucky. Have to do tons of certification test for my new job even on my days off.
I send you a pm earlier today with info but let me know if you want to hit next weekend if there's safe ice.
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Have you been out on clear ice before? Like is mentioned in the fishlake thread, it can be a bit freaky. Even if it's a foot thick, it can play with your mind, making you feel like you're walking on thin glass. Just a skiff of snow makes a world of difference for the mental state, even if not as safe.
I'm leaning towards fish lake. But I'm not going to make the final call on that unless the temps continue to trend down, as they are forecast to do.
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I've been on clear ice at Fish Lake and Flaming Gorge. It is a little freaky but it's the cracks that make me feel better. You can see how thick the ice is.
I'm leaning towards Fish Lake also. I'm gonna have to get some smaller ice lures tho and I'm running out of time fast!
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