02-07-2018, 01:52 AM
Well without hard intel about the ice conditions at Big Sand Wash, three of my Price area friends and I headed north this morning. Upon arrival at the Sportsman's Access area on the east side of the reservoir we were greeted by very dicey looking ice conditions. After a careful survey of the edges we decided we could safely get on the ice with the help of my 10 foot long 2x8. We used the plank to span a gap of about four feet and got onto the ice which was about 7 to 8 inches thick near the shore. We walked out to an area we fished last Thursday and almost immediately starting catching some perch in water that was between 28 and 32 feet deep. We used small jigs tipped with mealworms or perch eyes. The larger perch were just about 9 inches long, big enough to justify the fillet effort for Coconut Perch or cowder. We also iced a few rainbows using the same baits and depths. I lost two nice rainbows that straightened my light wire hook and it forced me to switch to a slightly heavier hook on my small jigs.
As Perchinski mentioned, his younger and more adventurous friend came out and joined us late in the morning and he had success catching some perch and several very nice rainbows. The ice where we were fishing was between 7 and 8 inches thick and still in pretty good shape. However, there was much more open water down by the dam that expanded significantly during the day today. The warm open water and wind driven wave action is working quickly to remove the safe ice from this reservoir.
I would strongly suggest other waters for ice fishing as this week progresses. Considering the difficulty in getting on the ice and the rapidly deteriorating ice thickness, I don't consider this water safe anymore this season for ice fishing. If anyone wants to try it, please be careful and do not take any chances. Do not go out alone and have a rescue throw rope with your party to assist anyone who might go through the ice.
The first photo shows the conditions when we arrived at the point where we got on the ice. The perch photo is of the perch I kept today. Our group probably caught around 100 perch and we invited about one third of those to join us for dinner. A few of the bigger rainbows were also retained.
Remember, be careful out there!
Mike
[signature]
As Perchinski mentioned, his younger and more adventurous friend came out and joined us late in the morning and he had success catching some perch and several very nice rainbows. The ice where we were fishing was between 7 and 8 inches thick and still in pretty good shape. However, there was much more open water down by the dam that expanded significantly during the day today. The warm open water and wind driven wave action is working quickly to remove the safe ice from this reservoir.
I would strongly suggest other waters for ice fishing as this week progresses. Considering the difficulty in getting on the ice and the rapidly deteriorating ice thickness, I don't consider this water safe anymore this season for ice fishing. If anyone wants to try it, please be careful and do not take any chances. Do not go out alone and have a rescue throw rope with your party to assist anyone who might go through the ice.
The first photo shows the conditions when we arrived at the point where we got on the ice. The perch photo is of the perch I kept today. Our group probably caught around 100 perch and we invited about one third of those to join us for dinner. A few of the bigger rainbows were also retained.
Remember, be careful out there!
Mike
[signature]
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