03-03-2023, 06:07 PM
Ira and I got up to Jordanelle, then Rockport yesterday. Not much info on Jordannelle, so we went up there first, walked out from the main ramp, it was plowed down to the ice but walking out on the ice was horrible, sinking down about 6 to 8 inches with every step, snow over 4 inches or more of slush and after several reports of poor catching we decided to drive over to the PWC ramp to see if it was better, it wasn't. Ramp was plowed but on the walk out, there was even more slush under the snow, likely 6 inches or more, so we backed off. Other than someone walking out to check out the conditions, like we did, it did not appear anyone had fished either side since the last storm.
We drove to Rock Port next and before we got into the park, we noticed a half dozen groups out on the ice. Lots of deer on the road once we were in the park but the ramp was plowed and there was much less slush on the ice, so we walked out a 1/4 mile or so and drilled our first holes, we were in about 35 FOW. Marked few suspended trout like marks but we never got a bite, dropping to the bottom we were constantly seeing perch type marks coming up to out offerings but again not a single bite. We moved into 25 FOW but again, no bites, so we bailed. We wanted to get farther away from shore, to some of our favorite spots but without ATV's and the slush making walking so hard, that was not going to happen. We did see several snow dogs and at least one snowmobile out there and they did not appear to have any issues.
What is everyone else overall thoughts about the catching this Winter, I can't remember a ice fishing season this poor in a very long time. Any guesses on why it's been so bad this Winter for just about everywhere?
We drove to Rock Port next and before we got into the park, we noticed a half dozen groups out on the ice. Lots of deer on the road once we were in the park but the ramp was plowed and there was much less slush on the ice, so we walked out a 1/4 mile or so and drilled our first holes, we were in about 35 FOW. Marked few suspended trout like marks but we never got a bite, dropping to the bottom we were constantly seeing perch type marks coming up to out offerings but again not a single bite. We moved into 25 FOW but again, no bites, so we bailed. We wanted to get farther away from shore, to some of our favorite spots but without ATV's and the slush making walking so hard, that was not going to happen. We did see several snow dogs and at least one snowmobile out there and they did not appear to have any issues.
What is everyone else overall thoughts about the catching this Winter, I can't remember a ice fishing season this poor in a very long time. Any guesses on why it's been so bad this Winter for just about everywhere?