Ririe Access?

[fishingrocket]

Gang,

Can someone tell what to expect when I get to Ririe Res.? Would it help to bring a 4-wheeler or is it too spooky on the edges? Do people drive full size rigs down the ramp or park on top?

FR
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[BrianID]

I've seen people drive full size rigs down the ramp but if the ramp is has ice or snow on it I wouldn't chance it. I've always just parked up top. Guys do take 4-wheelers and snowmachines on Ririe but it isn't legal. 4 wheelers and snowmachines are not allowed on the ice or within 1/2 mile of Ririe reservoir due to wintering big game. This includes the area that is within a mile of the dam. The only exceptions are roads open to full sized vehicles and boats when the ice is off the reservoir.
Good luck if you go.
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[fishingrocket]

Thanks Brian.

I find that rule about motorized rigs on the ice kind of strange. Big game shouldn't be on the ice and running around on just one end (within a mile of dam) like that woudn't create much more disturbance than ice augers and certainly less than boats running the full length. Is that a BLM rule or Fish and Game or what?

FR
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[windriver]

I do not know who made the rule, but it is kind of silly. Most of the game is behind the 1 mile marker anyway. As of right now you can not drive down the ramp. It is a sheet of ice and snow. I would not risk it even with chains.

Windriver
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[OvidCreek]

Being a BLM man three months out of every year, I can tell you it was not the BLM. In fact almost all Fed Property around the dam is administered by the Department of Reclomation. The rule in my understanding is it is entirely Fish and Game; I do like that they have been willing to make a few changes at Ririe. No matter what it is its always an added bonus to see the wildlife at Ririe and rules need to be in place to protect their well being, whether it be for the fish, a fat eagle, 300 plus elk, or the impressive buck that has been hanging out.

OvidCreek
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[BrianID]

fishingrocket,

I would agree there would be no more harm to wintering big game to allow snowmachings and 4-wheelers on the ice by the dam. All of the people out there fishing there already keep the big game away that would be scared by 4-wheelers on the ice. I wouldn't be surprised if this rule was changed in a few years. I do think it is a good idea the rest of the reservoir is closed during the winter though.
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[Everet14]

I agree with what has been said so far, all wildlife including things other then fish need to be protected, but like Brian said I wouldn't be surprised at all if the rule was changed in the near future.
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[southforksly]

I fished Ririe last Thursday. Bank Ice is great, and yes I used my four wheeler to get away from the crowd. No one has ever chapped my butt for it, and there was 4 other machines on the ice as well. The fish and game guys were at the top of the hill too. I talked to an older gentleman who says there are not supposed to be snow machines on the ice, but thought that the 4 wheelers were ok. Fishing was good to great. Fished with Hookedlikeu and caught a good number of perch(on the bottom) and a few kokes(on the bottom as well). Hookedlikeu was in it for the trout and caught a few that were suspended. There were a few soft spots that I found while dinking around on the 4 wheeler, but for the most part the ice was great. Good luck!
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[afishionado]

Hey I'm depressed, I had to move to Ut. I'm now an ex-Idahoan, would that make ya sick or what? At least I got my lifetime license, now when I get down I pull that out and dream of the good ol' days. Anyhow, I'm gonna bum a ride up that way and use it for an excuse to hit Ririe. I think I'm gonna set up the tent and fish all night friday, and into saturday till my ride shows up and says its time to go. I've never iced fished it before, so I am askin' for any advice on where to set up shop so I don't have to try and move around by myself in the middle of the night. Any info at all would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks Afishionado
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[southforksly]

Most people like to fish around the island right off the boat ramp at Juniper. You will usually have the kokes come in and out at least once where ever you fish in 30+ feet of water. I would suggest getting creative and taking a walk away from the masses. I use any kind of small pink or silver jig tipped with a meal worm to catch both kokes and perch. The trout will eat a worm. Have fun!
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[BrianID]

Welcome to BFT Sothforksly

I've seen a number of guys use 4 wheelers and snowmachines on the ice at Ririe. I don't have a problem with them using them by the dam. I think the regulations need to be changed because I think most of the F&G officers to look the other way when they see a guy with a 4-wheeler at Ririe. I hope you don't run into one of the "buy the book" officers.

Thanks for the report.
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[southforksly]

I think the regs are set to protect the big game right? I thought that was why you could not go past a mile up the lake from the dam. I guess if I am being a bad boy with my wheeler on the ice I should quit doing it. I think that it is a detriment to people with physical disabilities as well, not to be able to use motorized vehicles. I am a little over a month out from knee surgery and that is why I did not walk. Thanks for the info though!
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[afishionado]

Hey, if I get there after dark, will I be able to see where the masses will be in the morning so I can avoid pitchin the tent there, and then have them flock in on top of me as the sun rises. Is the Island visible above the ice or are you talkin' about one submerged as structure? As you can tell I don't know squat about Ririe. How are the roads in? Thanks for the info! Good Fishin'
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[windriver]

The Island area has been fished heavily this year as it is every year. If you are after Kokanee it won't matter. If you are after Kokanee, Trout, and Perch then you need to fish off of points further away from the island, boat ramp area. I tend to get as far away as I can from "tent city."

Windriver
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