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So if one of us southerners were to go to Cascade how would we go about getting to this Sugar Bowl island? Is it walkable? When I went to google earth it shows roads, but would they be open?
I just love the thought of a 13" + perch on the end of my ultra light with 2# test and maybe some of those 14"ers or a 15"er.
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Actually, it is called Sugar Loaf Island, and there is a campground by the same name. There is a paved road going into the campground, but I am not sure if it is plowed out.The guys posting below should know. It would still be a bit of a hike in some fairly deep snow to get to the island, and the good fishing is usually on the far side of the island (west side). The road to the campground and island is about half way between Cascade and Donnelly. Most people ice fish either by the dam or south of the golf course---much easier access. If you plan to go, make sure you stop at Tackle Tom's in Cascade; he always gives good and "unexaggerated" info. The reports are iffy in today's Statesman, but sounds like some are doing great from the report below. I would suggest calling Tackle Tom first. By the way, the East Side Resort on Magic are reporting 100 fish days for perch, but also mentions that some are not doing well. No mention of the size. Good luck if you go! Mike
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Well I am not sure about Cascade, but the perch at magic have been slow this week. I have fished it two days this week and caught a total of 7 perch. The biggest was around 8". They seem to be all or nothing. Trout fishing is good at Magic.
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Haven't been this year but last year the road to the campground was plowed each time I went. Had good fishing 200 yrds straight out from the boat ramp (tip from Tackle Tom's).
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If a guy was to take a road trip this time of the year to sample the ice fishing on Cascade, is there a reasonable place to stay near by?
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Oh, yeah. Several motels in Cascade and Donnelly. Many more in McCall, a half hour from Cascade, and less than that to the northern half of the lake. However, the next two weeks might be difficult. The McCall Winter Carnival occurs this week and next. Every motel in McCall is booked solid. (We were up there just today). On the other hand, it makes for a nice trip combining ice fishing and the Winter Carnival, and this year's sculputres are quite nice. There was one group fishing on the north side of the island, and several groups just off Crown Point. Mike
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Thanks for the info Kodiak1.
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Thanks, I have been reading all the info I can, so if I can make it up there I will be able to do some serious fishing, Will need to stop by the tackle shop for sure, when I go.
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The road to Sugar Loaf Camp Ground is NOT plowed and can be blocked by drifting snow. for the most part, access by 4x4 is highly recommended and may need chains if towing a large/low trailer.
It is apprx 2.5 miles from the launch to the island so you could walk it but snowmobile is the best bet. Conditions can get sloppy making atv travel difficult.
You can fish straight out from the launch and there is usually lots of (small) fish. Keep in mind the ice is 18-24" thick so be sure your (hand)auger blades are sharp.
The big hotel in Cascade, the Ashley Inn, is advertising a special "luxury suite" for 89$ p/n. that might be "reasonable" for some but high end for others. check the Cascade COC for a list of lodgings and start dialing. or just be like some and sleep on the ice. And, as previously mentioned, the McCall Ice Festival is in session and everything will be booked.
Tackle Tom's is not open early and the last time i stopped in they were closed on Mon/Tue.
Blue Sage, Blue Heron, and Crown Point/the Dam areas offer easy access for those who do not have snowmachines.
current conditions are 3-6" of snow covering 2" water on top of 18-20" ice and fishing is slow.
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Thank you that info was very helpfull and will definitly help on the planning of a trip up there. We havve stayed at the Inn for a retreat and it is very nice.
So for the bigger perch is it only on the north end by the island or could there be other spots that might be good some times?
I assume the normal baits, worms, grubs on a jig?
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I too appreciate the information. We have plenty of good fishing around here (north Idaho), but its been a pretty wimpy winter. Some of our lakes still have a foot of ice, but we are getting rain and some nights it dosen't even get down to freezing, If that don't change in a week or so, Ill be heading your way. Im guessing it would be worthwile to bring a snowmobile or atv? Thanks for the helpful input.
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the north end seems to produce more big perch than the south end. but, good fishing can be found in all areas.
from Crown Point to the south end seems to produce more trout and an occasional BIG perch. the North end has more Perch from my experiences.
standard baits, worms, grubs work well. if you catch a small perch, use it for cut bait and it usually produces good results.
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there is good fishing to be found within walking distance from the cleared parking areas. if you want to fish around then a snowmobile would be the better choice.
keep an eye on the weather. a warm spell can flood the ice and make it more like a lake.
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Does anyone know where this new record perch at Cascade was caught? What kind of bait/lure, or any kind of specifics?
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REW1,
First off, welcome to the forum.
You didn't exactly say it, but it seems you are feeling around for the key to getting a big perch like that. Lots of people are. Here's my 2 cents on the subject.
First I'll answer your direct question. From the pictures it looks to be Poison creek. It's a popular spot. No bait was listed in anything I read, but you can be sure it was either a night crawler, perch eye, or cut bait, most likely on a jig head, but could also have been on a plain hook.
Second, I'll answer your implied question. If you are trying to immitate what he did, so that you might get one yourself, there is no need. Grab your rabbits foot, pick a jig head, pick a bait, and go fishing. Your odds are just as good as his were. I'm not saying that the guy that caught it doesn't have skills, but there is a huge amount of luck involved in breaking a record like that.
Breaking the 2 lb barrier can be done from almost any location on Cascade right now and with pretty much any normal perch bait or lure.
If you are looking for the key to getting a big one like that, or several big ones for the dinner table, here it is: Move, move, move. If you go more than 15-20 minutes without a fish, move.
Okay, guys. The secret is out.
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I want you to know that I really appreciate your response to my questions [url "http://www.bigfishtackle.com/cgi-bin/community/community.cgi?do=user_page;pg=user_profile_view.html;username=iwantabuggy"][/url]iwantabuggy[/url]. I really am more interested in being able to fry up a meal of perch than catching any kind of record. Of course cleaning one or two big ones instead 10 small ones is always more interesting. I am an old retired man with only a hand auger that I have never used. In fact I have never ice fished before. Use to go up there and fish the open water by the dam but even that wasn't possible last week.
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Before you go out there with your hand ice auger consider some knew blades for it, if the ones on your auger are look knew you might be OK, but there is nothing more disapionting than getting there and start cranking on your auger and it hardly bites the ice. The info from iwantabuggy is the absolute truth, he showed me 2 weeks ago and it was a blast.
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Thanks for the info IWB. I am going to cascade with a buddy on Thursday and just hope to catch a few. I seem to hear a lot about sugarloaf area but am curious about the crown point area as well. We don't have motorized transportation on the ice so won't be able go very far. Any one have suggestions? Any info on recent conditions is appreciated. Thanks!
Cole
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Avery and I did ok Monday. No secret bait, jig or location - just keep moving and drilling.
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