2025 Ice Condition Observations / Report

[SkunkedAgain]

Well I had a really creative and hopefully legally protective post put together and the stupid site froze and then lost the post... So take two not so well put together post but here is the take on what we'd like to accomplish... I was asked if we could have one post where members could post the ice conditions they have seen in one area, so it's easy for all others to review and make decisions on where they might like to go fish... So here's the attempt... Again ice is never safe so we will post observations and let others use their risk management skills to decide if they want to try it... This will be a date, location and thickness type post.  Keep in mind conditions can change fast so up to you to make the final decision... Thanks in advance to all that are willing to help out and provide some info here for other forum members... Any other info you think is relevant would be appreciated... Have fun and be safe this winter season... Later jeff

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Just as primer to this post, we are aware of the following waters being ice fished at this time, however, I don't remember all the ice thicknesses so hopefully others will provide that info. Also I know many areas that are being fished still have open water in some areas so this post is not all inclusive for the whole lake... Here goes, Scofield, Strawberry, Pineview, Newton, Mantua, Flaming Gorge, Fish Lake, Many Uinta Lakes off Mirrow Lake Highway, Birch Creek, Rockport, and that's all I can remember off the top of my head at this point.... Ice is starting to form on many lakes this week, so I expect by the weekend we will have a pretty big listing of areas that will be starting to be fishable... Going to be a short season and likely we'll have thinner conditions this year than we are used to in years past so make sure before you drive your side by side out on the ice, that there is enough ice to hold it up, they are a lot heavier than we think so don't try them on 4" of ice... Don't want to see your rig at the bottom of the pond like happened a few years back at the gorge... Later J

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Oh and a couple rules for early ice... practice social distancing, you don't have to stand close to talk when the ice is thin give folks some room so you don't both take an ice bath... Also if you choose to ride your machine on the ice, leave plenty of room between your machine and others that don't want to fall through the ice... Later J

[MSM1970]

As of last Sunday, Steinaker, soft water, they did pull the wedge dock out, still could launch and pull up to shore to get in, Red fleet , starting to freeze, still some open water, did see some holes by the ramp, I wouldn't go on it yet, lake up by matt warner have good ice, I hear you can still drive to them, but be prepared for snow drifts.

[SkunkedAgain]

Thanks Mike, appreciate the report from your neck of the woods.... I have an addition from mine, tried Cutler yesterday first step spud was a 2 stroker about 2.25", took a couple steps and tried again, spud went through first stroke, got off it before I fell through... Moved a little ways and found another area that was more shaded and found about 3.25" of ice, was nice to find ice I dared stay on... However, no fish at that location.. Used the 360 and livescope did end up seeing a few carp later on, (you can totally tell they were carp by the way they swim) but 2 hours and not catching a thing wasn't what I was hoping for... Later J

[SkunkedAgain]

Transferring from another post, it sounds like Fish Lake and Otter Creek are being ice fished now. 4" at Fish Lake if I got my numbers straight, they didn't specify a thickness on Otter Creek, just mentioned folks were fishing it... See Stan55's post for more details... Jeff

[dubob]

The weather forecast for Coalville (think Echo, Rockport, & East Canyon) from today through next Friday is temperatures below freezing both day and night - ranging between -1 and +30.  I'm guessing (hoping) this will make Echo & Rockport fully machine accessible.  East Canyon may take a little longer.  Lost Creek should have some fishable ice as well.  Hoping to make my first trip of the year to Rockport next week to give the 'dog' a run.    

[Humbadingo]

Last Wednesday I iced fished East Canyon. The bay East of the marina, Dixie Hollow?, had ~3" of solid clear ice. But, the main lake had open water so use caution. I only fished about 20 yards from the bank and drilled my way out. There were a hand full of sled tracks and holes that had been drilled in that area. I was by myself so I didn't venture too far from the bank.

[SkunkedAgain]

Thanks for your reports Bob and Humb, and we'll have to get to know ya better Humbadingo, glad to have you on the site and helping out with your comments, thank you... Later Jeff