Ice Fishing Henry's Lake

[Jacksonman]

I will be up in IF for Thanksgiving this year and am extremely excited to try ice fishing Henry's Lake November 28th and 29th. I read that last year the ice was around 3 inches thick on the 26th. So a few questions:

How often does Henry's Lake freeze over by Thanksgiving and how thick do you guess the ice to be on average by the end of November?

Also, what are the good areas to ice fish Henry's? I have only fished it once from a float tube a few years ago and we only did OK.

I know it is early to be thinking about the hard deck but I am a hardcore iceaholic and am not afraid to admit it!

Thanks in advance for comments.
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[maghunter]

There isn't much of an ice fishing history on Henry's. They only just recently changed the rules to allow fishing that late.
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[Jacksonman]

I didn't know that. When did they make the change?

I would really love a big brrok trout. So where are the good fishing areas late in the season? I assume they will be holding fish after ice on.
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[Everet14]

Big brook trout are really rare. Even at henrys. It doesn't always freeze over by then.
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[windriver]

The change has been in effect for a couple of years.

Windriver
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[redleech]

[ul][li]The large brook trout on Henrys Lake are easier to catch during the latter part of September through October - before freeze up. By the Hatchery and by the Henrys Lake State Park are probably the two best areas.[/li][/ul]
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[Kent]

I understand that one is allowed to keep two fish from Henry's, is this correct? Can one fish with two rods? Also, are there any other bait or other restrictions unique to Henry's Lake.
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[curt69]

I may be wrong but every place in the state you can use five rods while ice fish . I took a quick look in the regulations and can't see where it says it is different at Henry's . Someone jump in and correct me if I am wrong . Thanks Curt G.
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[idahopanfish]

Ther are place in Idaho where the 5 rod rule does not apply, so better check the local regs for where ever you are going if your not sure.
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[kentd71]

It has been one rod for the last 10 years if not longer. I watched a couple of people get tickets for fishing after they had their two fish limit on the bank.
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[curt69]

I fish all summer long with two poles at Henry's . If you buy a two pole permit for $13.75 it is OK. When you keep two fish stop fishing . You can fish all day with two poles if you only keep one fish . Curt G.
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[Kent]

"It has been one rod for the last 10 years if not longer. I watched a couple of people get tickets for fishing after they had their two fish limit on the bank."

"I fish all summer long with two poles at Henry's . If you buy a two pole permit for $13.50 it is OK. When you keep two fish stop fishing . You can fish all day with two poles if you only keep one fish ."

Looks like I better try to read and understand the Idaho "Rules Brochure" (copy Online and printed copy in my sturgeon tackle bag).
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[lone_wolf]

If you enjoy combat fishing the last week of Nov. on around 2-3 inches of ice with lots of G&F folks keeping people honest give it a try... You can use 2 poles if you have a second rod stamp as Curt previously mentioned.
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[Kent]

[quote lone_wolf]If you enjoy combat fishing the last week of Nov. on around 2-3 inches of ice with lots of G&F folks keeping people honest give it a try... You can use 2 poles if you have a second rod stamp as Curt previously mentioned.[/quote]

Not afraid to walk a distance (often hike around a mile at Strawberry) to get away from the crowd. Have been known to be foolish enough to fish on 2-3 inches of freshly-frozen ice. Don't mind G&F folks keeping everyone honest. Have a second rod stamp that will automatically renew again as long as I go before 12/31/08, which of course is not a problem at Henry's Lake because 11/30/08 is the last day it is open.
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[Everet14]

[quote kentofnsl][quote lone_wolf]If you enjoy combat fishing the last week of Nov. on around 2-3 inches of ice with lots of G&F folks keeping people honest give it a try... You can use 2 poles if you have a second rod stamp as Curt previously mentioned.[/quote]

Not afraid to walk a distance (often hike around a mile at Strawberry) to get away from the crowd. Have been known to be foolish enough to fish on 2-3 inches of freshly-frozen ice. Don't mind G&F folks keeping everyone honest. Have a second rod stamp that will automatically renew again as long as I go before 12/31/08, which of course is not a problem at Henry's Lake because 11/30/08 is the last day it is open.[/quote]

Its not a matter of walking distance. There are plenty of people up there willing to hike. Its a safety reason. The areas close to shore has 2-3 inches of ice, not the entire lake. I wouldn't go trekking through or you may discover one of the MANY springs on henrys lake that don't have that "safe" 2-3 inches of ice.
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[Kent]

Duh, forgot about the 2 to 3 inches of ice.[blush] Thanks for the heads-up.
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[curt69]

In the Fishing Seasons and Rules book for 2008 and 2009 . On page 11 under Definitions . Go to FISHING GEAR it says you can use five poles when ice fishing . In this booklet There is no exception thats says anything different at Henry's . I have an e-mail into fish and game to see what they say on the matter . If they respond I will post what they say . Thanks Curt G.
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[Everet14]

Its kinda spooky up there. Five or so years ago (not sure) A whole herd of elk drowned when it broke through the ice at henrys.

Be careful
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[curt69]

The Elk were chased out on the lake by some guys on snow machines and when they bunched up in the middle they went through . I think there were about 15 of them . Thanks Curt G.
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[Everet14]

Yes...... now I remember.
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