02-13-2006, 04:40 PM
[font "Comic Sans MS"][size 3][black]Fishing Report and Conditions at Bear Lake[/black][/size][/font]
[font "Comic Sans MS"][size 3][black]Monday, February 13, 2006[/black][/size][/font]
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[font "Comic Sans MS"][size 3][black]Never say never!!!! As of Sunday night, Bear Lake is approximately 99% frozen and boats can no longer be launched for fishing. The ice thickness varies from just a skim to approximately 3" in some places. If the cold, calm weather remains, the ice should be thick enough for ice fishing in a few days, however, due to the large number of springs and methane gas vents in the bottom of the lake, you should exercise extreme caution when venturing out onto the lake if no other anglers have been on the ice. As of this morning I already saw two ice fishermen off the east side at the pump house who reported 3" of ice at that location. Father to the north off the South Eden delta, there was still some open water, but the remainder of the lake is now frozen.[/black][/size][/font]
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[font "Comic Sans MS"][size 3][black]Fishing remained good this past week prior to the freeze-up for both cutthroat trout and whitefish off the rockpile at Ideal Beach, also, don't overlook the rockpiles north of the Utah State Park marina. Both cutthroat and whitefish are feeding on cisco eggs over weedbeds and the rockpiles. If ice fishing is possible, anglers should fish with small jigs or vertical jigging spoons. Lures of choice include Swedish pimples, castmasters, and crippled herring. You might also try using a 8-12" dropper with an ice fly tipped with a salmon egg or waxworm about a foot below the main lure. Weedbeds are found parallel to shore in depths of 14-25 feet around the perimeter of the lake. On the west side of the lake try the new rockpiles just north of the marina or the weedbeds from Gus Rich Point south to the State Highway rest area. On the east side you can find weedbeds off of Val's Pump north to 1st Point and then in between 1st and 2nd Points. Using small lures and light line (even spring bobber indicators) can mean the difference between detecting light whitefish bites and not even knowing the fish are there. The whitefish fishing should remain good for another few weeks.[/black][/size][/font]
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[font "Comic Sans MS"][size 3][black]Come prepared for bitter cold and winter conditions at Bear Lake during the winter. Make sure to check your proclamation for all the current rules and regulations. The daily and possession limit for whitefish it is 10 fish and for cutthroat and lake trout it is 2 fish, either singly or in aggregate. Remember to immediately release cutthroat trout that are not fin clipped.[/black][/size][/font]
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[font "Comic Sans MS"][size 3][black]Monday, February 13, 2006[/black][/size][/font]
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[font "Comic Sans MS"][size 3][black]Never say never!!!! As of Sunday night, Bear Lake is approximately 99% frozen and boats can no longer be launched for fishing. The ice thickness varies from just a skim to approximately 3" in some places. If the cold, calm weather remains, the ice should be thick enough for ice fishing in a few days, however, due to the large number of springs and methane gas vents in the bottom of the lake, you should exercise extreme caution when venturing out onto the lake if no other anglers have been on the ice. As of this morning I already saw two ice fishermen off the east side at the pump house who reported 3" of ice at that location. Father to the north off the South Eden delta, there was still some open water, but the remainder of the lake is now frozen.[/black][/size][/font]
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[font "Comic Sans MS"][size 3][black]Fishing remained good this past week prior to the freeze-up for both cutthroat trout and whitefish off the rockpile at Ideal Beach, also, don't overlook the rockpiles north of the Utah State Park marina. Both cutthroat and whitefish are feeding on cisco eggs over weedbeds and the rockpiles. If ice fishing is possible, anglers should fish with small jigs or vertical jigging spoons. Lures of choice include Swedish pimples, castmasters, and crippled herring. You might also try using a 8-12" dropper with an ice fly tipped with a salmon egg or waxworm about a foot below the main lure. Weedbeds are found parallel to shore in depths of 14-25 feet around the perimeter of the lake. On the west side of the lake try the new rockpiles just north of the marina or the weedbeds from Gus Rich Point south to the State Highway rest area. On the east side you can find weedbeds off of Val's Pump north to 1st Point and then in between 1st and 2nd Points. Using small lures and light line (even spring bobber indicators) can mean the difference between detecting light whitefish bites and not even knowing the fish are there. The whitefish fishing should remain good for another few weeks.[/black][/size][/font]
[font "Comic Sans MS"][size 3][black][/black][/size][/font]
[font "Comic Sans MS"][size 3][black]Come prepared for bitter cold and winter conditions at Bear Lake during the winter. Make sure to check your proclamation for all the current rules and regulations. The daily and possession limit for whitefish it is 10 fish and for cutthroat and lake trout it is 2 fish, either singly or in aggregate. Remember to immediately release cutthroat trout that are not fin clipped.[/black][/size][/font]
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