WHERE TO FISH ?

[Hard Ice]

Looking for a place to fish this winter on the western side of Idaho can anybody here help me ??

[Sandbilly]

Western side is kind of broad. Have a place in particular that you are looking at?

I have relation that live in the Donnelly, McCall area that do a little ice fishing.

dc

[Hard Ice]

Nothing in particular  i am going out to Oregon with winter to visit a freain of mine and would like to find a little ice before i get there

BJ

[Bearsfan]

McCall area is your best bet unless you make the trek north to the panhandle. Let us know where your going to go.

[BlueDuck]

Bearsfan,  where around McCall are you talking about?   I may go down to visit my daughter this winter, if I knew of a new place to try I might take my gear along..... 

[kousui]

As far as the McCall area, Horsethief Reservoir is a good place but has limited access, i.e. snowmobile, ski, or snowshoe but still has limited parking. Cascade Lake is a great spot when the fishing is hot.
If you are traveling across southern ID then make a stop at Magic Reservoir. It has good perch fishing. Be sure to use the West Magic Resort entrance as the East Magic roads are not county maintained and you will get stuck. 

[troutkila]

I am relatively new to ice fishing and brand new to the site.  I found a screaming deal on a power auger so I swooped it up, bought some other equipment and headed off to Horsethief and had an absolute ball!  Are there any other lakes that have good ice fishing that are within a two to three hour drive from the Boise area?

Also, I have heard rumors that there are Northern Pike in Upper Payette.  Seems to be a little small to sustain fish like pike to me, can anyone validate that rumor?

J

[Bearsfan]

Haven't heard of pike being up there but my buddies dad works for F&G and I'll ask him. Yeah Cascade lake is where I used to go all the time, easiest access when there's 6' of snow on the ground.And great perch fishing too. Payette has been good for big lakers, I think it's still catch and release. Lot's of other great lakes but will need snowmobile.

[jayswimmer09]

kousui and troutkila welcome aboard to the shanty!!!!

[perchmasterson]

Cascade Lake and Upper Payette both have tiger muskie, but I have never heard of pike being here.

If you check the Idaho Fish & Game wed site you can find out what fish have been stocked in the whole state. I think the info goes back to at least the 70's.

[Iceman714]

sorry perchmasterson not to correct you, but... The tiger muskie were stocked in Little Payette Lake, not the upper payette lake even though it would be a great place for them.  There are still a few in Little Payette Lake but stay pretty hidden.  I think I'll be the first one to try ice fishing it and am targeting bass, tiger muskie, and trout so i'll let everyone know if any good comes from its, there might be a reason why nobody ice fishes it. thanks

[Skando]

Yes, I also am curious if you have any success there. Let us know .

[mattcarlson7]

Cascade has tiger musky?  has anyone fished for them in the summer? 

[DakotaElkSlayer]

  Oh ya, and be sure to check WHEN the tiger muskies were stocked.  There life expectancy is around 10 years.

Jim