Causey / Pineview

[IceGuy97]

1. Fished causey for the first time this last weekend in the morning from about 830 to 1. Fished the middle finger straight out from the dam about halfway down it. 14 to 22 fow. Marked 2 fish and caught 1 small rainbow. Edges were really slushy but someone was kind enough to leave some planks. Middle was about 12 inches of ice.

After that I headed to pineview and it got pretty hot after about 430. Perch and crappie all just out from windsurfer Beach in 55 fow. It was crowded but the fish were still biting. Ice was alright 3 to 4 inches. It was pretty dead before about 430 though. Left just after dark. Didn't bring lights to be out there any later.

[SkunkedAgain]

Way to get out on the hard deck... I only had 2" of ice on the pond I tried to fish and even though it held me, I didn't dare fish it, but it's probably thick enough now I could fish it... How's the fish size at Pineview this year? I expect this weekend will be pretty crowded on those ponds that have shown safe ice, is there much free parking area? or is it all the high priced parking on Pineview? Thanks J

[obifishkenobi]

Way to get out on the hard deck... I only had 2" of ice on the pond I tried to fish and even though it held me, I didn't dare fish it, but it's probably thick enough now I could fish it... How's the fish size at Pineview this year?  I expect this weekend will be pretty crowded on those ponds that have shown safe ice, is there much free parking area? or is it all the high priced parking on Pineview?  Thanks J

Jeff, as long as you get there early windsurfer beach has a free parking lot and fairly easy ice access once the lot is full you can park along the highway. The perch are decent with 8-10” average perch, I have not gotten into the crappie yet this year, but have seen some pictures they look to be 6-8” but they are primarily a night fishery.

[wiperhunter2]

1. Fished causey for the first time this last weekend in the morning from about 830 to 1. Fished the middle finger straight out from the dam about halfway down it. 14 to 22 fow. Marked 2 fish and caught 1 small rainbow. Edges were really slushy but someone was kind enough to leave some planks. Middle was about 12 inches of ice.

After that I headed to pineview and it got pretty hot after about 430. Perch and crappie all just out from windsurfer Beach in 55 fow. It was crowded but the fish were still biting. Ice was alright 3 to 4 inches. It was pretty dead before about 430 though. Left just after dark. Didn't bring lights to be out there any later.

Too bad the catching was so poor at Causey, good to hear PV treated you well. How big were the crappie?

[SkunkedAgain]

Thanks Shawn, appreciate the info provided... Jeff

[IceGuy97]

Yeah you guys are spot on. Crappie were smaller than I've caught previously 6 to 8. The perch were decent. Didn't bump board any but I'd say 8 to 12 sounds right. Parking wasn't bad at windsurfer if you get there early enough. Narrows still was open water as it is last to freeze.

[SkunkedAgain]

Thanks for that update.... man I'm jealous you're able to get out as much as you are... good on you, stay safe and keep the great posts coming so I'm ready for the weekend.... Wish I was closer to retirement so I could avoid the work thing, but then again my wife would probably have a bigger list of honeydoo's so may not get me out anymore then.... Guess I'll just take the available time when I can... Later Jeff

[dubob]

I, and a few friends, refuse to fish Pineview under the current obscene entry requirements.  The Feds and their criminal accomplice's (Utah Recreation Company) are raping the public so bad to recreate there that it is beyond me why all y'all put up with it.  There isn't a single fish in there that is worth the hassle/cost to get to them.  I'll continue chasing perch and trout at the state parks within an hours drive of Weber County.  

[MWScott72]

Dubob-
With the current restrictions, it is a hassle, and what the Feds/operator are doing is criminal, but there are still areas one can fish that are still somewhat accessible. Now, when I’ 30 years more advanced in age, I would definitely be singing a different tune.

We can all keep the pressure up on them though. They need to hear repeatedly what a rotten deal they’ve put in place up there.

[dubob]

They need to hear repeatedly what a rotten deal they’ve put in place up there.

On that, we are 100% in agreement.  

[obifishkenobi]

I, and a few friends, refuse to fish Pineview under the current obscene entry requirements.  The Feds and their criminal accomplice's (Utah Recreation Company) are raping the public so bad to recreate there that it is beyond me why all y'all put up with it.  There isn't a single fish in there that is worth the hassle/cost to get to them.  I'll continue chasing perch and trout at the state parks within an hours drive of Weber County.  

I agree that the access does suck, with the port ramp and cemetery closed, but there is still free access at Windsurfer beach and on the highway by the caretakers house by the dam. That Fishery will definitely benefit from folks catching and keeping limits of perch and crappie.

---

I got back out last night, plenty of 6-8” crappie to be caught. They were stacked all night from 30’ down to the bottom at 55’ where we were. Very light bite, I caught a dozen but could have caught a bunch more if I wasn’t busy trying to help the people with me figure out the bite, they all struggled to catch a couple each.

[BearLakeFishGuy]

I 100% agree with DUBob!  I won't fish Pineview again unless I'm in someone else's boat who already has a pass or I can fish/park for free from shore.

[wiperhunter2]

I agree that the access does suck, with the port ramp and cemetery closed, but there is still free access at Windsurfer beach and on the highway by the caretakers house by the dam. 

Shawn, give yourself another 15 years or so, then tell me if you feel the same way about not only a steep walk down a hill, but the climb back out. As you age you will notice it becoming harder every year to make those hikes, until the day comes, that you decide you just won't do it anymore, without some sort of power equipment like a snow dog, snowmobile or ATV. That is why a lot of us have given up on PV, not to mention the outrageous prices they charge there. It's one thing if they charge those prices during the soft deck months but in the Winter, while ice fishing, it's just crazy.

[obifishkenobi]

I agree that the access does suck, with the port ramp and cemetery closed, but there is still free access at Windsurfer beach and on the highway by the caretakers house by the dam. 

Shawn, give yourself another 15 years or so, then tell me if you feel the same way about not only a steep walk down a hill, but the climb back out. As you age you will notice it becoming harder every year to make those hikes, until the day comes, that you decide you just won't do it anymore, without some sort of power equipment like a snow dog, snowmobile or ATV. That is why a lot of us have given up on PV, not to mention the outrageous prices they charge there. It's one thing if they charge those prices during the soft deck months but in the Winter, while ice fishing, it's just crazy.

I cant say I disagree with you, the best thing that could happen to that place is the state taking over and making it a state park, and Strawberry for that matter. I'm just saying that those who have the ability and willingness to put up with the difficult and ridicules access can only help the over all quality of the fishery by thinning the fish population by harvesting as many as they can.

[Bduck]

The last time I fished PV was in the 70's as a bank tangler. I departed Utah in 1980 and upon my return 20yrs later, all I have seen is a negative impact on how folks are treated for access, parking, etc. The explosive population of overcrowding during the popular water sports season has made my determination to stay away. The hard deck is not my list at all anywhere. Its bad enough how road rage alone just getting to someplace is affecting drivers, there is also the antics of the launch ramps. There is danger always lurking about on the surface there. Its a shame as fine a fishery it appears to be how folks are turning away. 

[dubob]

My next-door neighbor and his bride used to run the Port Ramp for about 3 or 4 years under the old concessionaire.  They are about as nice a couple as you could ever meet and treated everybody with curtesy.  But they had horror stories about some of the anal openings they had to deal with on a daily basis.  It used to be that the launch fee at the Port Ramp was for each water vessel.  So, if you showed up with 3 or 4 jet skies on one trailer you were charged to launch 3 or 4 vessels.  That's how bad the concessionaire rapes their clientele.  I wouldn't be a bit surprised that if you show up with 2 or more snow vehicles to launch on the ice that they would charge you a fee for each vehicle.  But that's just a guess on my part.  If you know for sure, what say you?  Doesn't matter for me; I'm done with Pineview as long as it is a federal property managed by a concessionaire. Dink perch and dink crappie don't work for me under such draconian conditions.