IceShanty.com's Ice Fishing Community
Wyoming => Ice Fishing Wyoming => Topic started by: hump on Dec 10, 2009, 09:33 PM
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Any one been up there lately, planning on going to granite Saturday to check out all the gear.
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I down in colorado is 6in you should be good at any of the lakes here. If you go to crow I would like to know how you did.
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ABSARAKA HAS 5-8INCHES ON IT SO I WOULD GUESS ITS GOTA BE GOOD ICE
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I fished the inlet of granite two weeks ago on about 5" the rest of the lake was still open then but I'm sure all three are good to go now. We caught a bunch of little bows and cutts and two little browns.
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I fished the inlet of granite two weeks ago on about 5" the rest of the lake was still open then but I'm sure all three are good to go now. We caught a bunch of little bows and cutts and two little browns.
i was at the river inlet and it had 8 inchs the main lake had 4 inchs fishing us good.
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fished north crow this morning. Good bite on meal worms, the usual stockers and one decent splake, something with some size to it broke my wife off. 6-8" of black ice.
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Fished Granite a few hours last week. The ice was about 5" on the reservoir. (Where I checked anyways).
I spent a lot of time fishing Granite last year looking for a reliable perch bite. Caught 5 perch total in probably three times as many outings. One keeper. Other than that, from my limited experience... Granite is over run by tiny trout. Stockers? Seemed like you couldn't drop down without getting one. Fished for an hour or two and didn't even get a nibble. (Strange - but I almost prefer not being bothered by those little buggers).
What's the deal with Granite and Crystal perch? I've seen pictures of loads of nice perch coming out of hattie, granted they were all 2-5 years old. But I have never seen pictures or heard of good perch fishing at these two lakes(Granite/Crystal). Has it ever been decent perch fishing?
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Just to add: When I was there, the G&F rolled up and started stocking something through the ice... I know in Utah the G&F keeps a website that updates what is stocked where and when. Does Wyoming do this?
And a side note: In most, not all, of the lakes I've fished at that are good perch fisheries. There is a good amount of structure. Weeds, big rocks, brush, ect in the water. And in drought years, when the lake level dives and all the structure is gone... the perch fishing crashes.
Maybe we should throw our Christmas tree's to the bottom of hattie/granite:)
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Has anyone been out to Granite lately? Planning on a Monday trip with the family.
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went to granite for couple hours and caught about 5 fish nothing forth talking but had way better action than hatti
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(http://i921.photobucket.com/albums/ad55/shan_ie27/Icefishing12-09010.jpg)
this is the splake I caught at north crow a few weeks ago
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I went up to Crystal this afternoon and fished for two hours, caught three rainbows. Ice was real good at 14 inches near the inlet area, thanks to all this cold weather. This was my first time ice fishing crystal so I can't complain.
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glad to see some fish being caught. Im stoked to get out at north crow and crystal. Cheers,Chris
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Hit Granite for a few hours, drilled a bunch of holes. Found some fish including a big one but all I caught were two average rainbows. Watching them on the camera, they just wouldn't commit to hitting anything. Only saw trout, no perch.
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how thick was the ice??
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Thanks for the info 327.
A camera is a very nice tool - Bet if they are in there that is easiest way to find them
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Sorry, Ice is around 16 inches on the lake and 20 plus on the inlet. Yes a camera is helpful but very frustrating when they won't hit.
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got out to N.Crow this morning and fished for about 4 hrs. Within about 20 min of setting up my tip ups i landed a nicely colored bow of about 14" (on a nightcrawler) then that was it for the next 3.5hrs. Tried deep and right off shore. Slow, but so nice to be out on the hardwater! Fishing Alcova in the morning. Cheers,Chris
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got out to N.Crow this morning and fished for about 4 hrs. Within about 20 min of setting up my tip ups i landed a nicely colored bow of about 14" (on a nightcrawler) then that was it for the next 3.5hrs. Tried deep and right off shore. Slow, but so nice to be out on the hardwater! Fishing Alcova in the morning. Cheers,Chris
Sweet! So you picking me up on your way through Laramie :whistle:
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ive got a week off in Feb and thought id come pick you up to fish one of your spots over there.. :tipup:
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ive got a week off in Feb and thought id come pick you up to fish one of your spots over there.. :tipup:
I was just kidding I got my four year old's b-day tomorrow and home work all weekend...
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Fished Crystal yesterday afternoon, started out in 15 fow and didn't see anything so I moved out deep and caught a rainbow, a cutbow, and a brown. Ice is still between 13 and 18 inches but watch the edges.
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fished another spot at N. Crow today for about 3 hrs. Missed one on the jigging rod and had one flag (night crawler) but caught nada. My first 3 holes (new lazer strike 7" hand auger) cut through the 20" ice like butter for the first 3 holes (it has maybe cut 25 holes since i bought it) but when i tried to move around as i was figuring out the depth, it would no longer cut. It just skipped on top of the ice scratching it. Both blades are intact, and appear fine, just dulled a lot i guess. Stoked to fish Leazenby tomorrow. Cheers,Chris
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Yeah they dull pretty fast. I sharpen mine every trip and when it is really thick I even sharpen them on the ice after a few holes.
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moose, did you just buy one of those hand held sharpeners by strikemaster or do you use something else? Ordered a spare set of blades last night, so at least i can have 2. Cheers,Chris
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I sharpen them myself. Use a variety of different tools too.
I'll show you how I do it sometime. Simple and easy. They work pretty darn well after too.
The key is to leave the side that is touching the ice un-touched. Kinda hard to explain. I'll post some pics maybe.
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cb I would send those in they are SPANKED!!!
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Heading out to N. Crow in a few minutes in the event anyone else plans on going out in the snow. I drive a white suburban and will have one of my black labs with me, so say hi if you come out!! By the way moose, and fishaholicz.....Called strikemaster and told them about my blades. When i took them off i noticed they were the cheap Chinese ones and Strikemaster immediately mailed me a new set (Swedish) Ill report back later. Cheers,Chris
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Spent about 2.5 hrs out there and caught nada. Ive been fishing this sweet looking set of cliffs and im surprised that in two trips to the same area, nothing. Going back out in the morning and going to spend 4-5 hrs out there hoping to figure it out. I think ill go back to my orignial spot and see how it goes. Cheers,Chris
ps. ice is very thick
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Tim, thanks for the tips, i appreciate it. Ill let you know how it goes.
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Now thats what i am talking about!! Landed 15 Rainbows (10"-16") between 10 and 230 today. All on the jig rod. One took the worm on a tip up. Awesome day, great weather, beautiful scenery! Cheers,Chris
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Went up to Granite for 2 hours this afternoon, almost got stuck. There is a foot of snow up there, with the road in only single wide and still pretty deep. The bad news is the snow is melting on the ice and making it super slushy. There is still a foot or so of good ice but if that snow doesn't blow away it's going to ruin the ice. The fishing was poor too, only got one rainbow, had a few lookers including a big sucker and a perch. Also watch where you go because some open water has refrozen and will not be thick enough to support weight. Bring good boots because you will get wet, even after jumping over the edges.
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Any size to the perch?
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Guessing 8-10" for the perch, not bad size for granite. He was eyein' my 3.5 inch tube jig, I was hopin' he would take it.
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For anyone considering driving into N. Crow i would advise against it until the snow melts a little. Got my 4wd suburban stuck back there this morning, and if it werent for the chance utility guy w/winch on his truck, i might still be stuck back there. We did rally though (had my 3.5yr old son w/me) and came back into town and caught a stockie raninbow on his new "jolly roger" beaverdam. Tight Lines all! Chris
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Sorry man, I figured you could make it, thanks for the update though.
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Guessing 8-10" for the perch, not bad size for granite. He was eyein' my 3.5 inch tube jig, I was hopin' he would take it.
Ya my buddy caught a huge perch out of there last year... I just wish they were thicker in there. Even if you could catch 6-7"ers you can get a bite off ea. side of em. (fillets). It is tough to do but once you get it down not so bad. I would love it.
Might have to spend some time fishing the res in my tube - see if I can find any #'s. It is just such a pain to weed through so many stocker trout. :o :o Even if you just fish on the bottom... that is all you catch really. :'(
I cursed this entire region.(Hattie, Crystal, Granite) Looks like as soon as I showed up to Laramie the perch fishing went down hill. Just my kinda luck. ;) Then as soon as I realize there are tons of nice perch in sloans... They drain it. :'(
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327, no worries man. Not your fault. Once i started down the road i started second guessing (but didnt want to stop to make up my mind for fear of getting stuck!) I would guess after a couple of nice days it should melt down and be fine. Tight Lines.Chris
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Moose,
When I catch 7-8 inch perch I just deep fry the whole fish and flake the meat off of the bone, you actually can get quite a bit off there. I prefer catching perch that are 10 inches plus but it's been tough the last couple years. Don't worry Sloans will bounce back quick, and we will be catching nice perch there next winter(and this summer with my fly rod).
On a side note, I spent a lot of time chasing perch at Granite last season and only managed two days with more than a half dozen, most were too small to eat though.
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Does anyone know of any place to get blades sharpened in Cheyenne?
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i researched it and found noone here in town. Apparantly there is someone in Laramie that does it, and if you pm fishaholicz he can prob point you in the right direction. Cheers,Chris
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I gotta work this afternoon, i'll grab those numbers for the sharpener while i'm there. (work at the flystore we have business cards for two guys that'll sharpen it)
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That would be awesome - Thanks.
It is good to have a flystore guy on here ;D
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I am going to try and make it in to Crow on Sunday anybody been in in the last couple days?
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You guys are great, thanks! I am going to try to hit Granite this weekend, which of the three is having the best luck?
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I made it to Granite today for about an hour and a half, caught 3 bows. Ice is holding up well except for the edges. Much better than last weekend though. The road to Crow looked a lot better too but I didn't go down it. I could see open water on Crystal but didn't drive over there, should still be plenty of ice there too. Granite is still snow covered but not slushy like last week, it's frozen up good.
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nice, glad to hear it. Ive gotta get out to Granite sometime before the season ends. Might get up there before work this week for a few hours. I just got a bunch of new jigs from jammin' jigs that i cant wait to use a N.Crow next week!
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Sounds great, was planning on heading up tomorrow, may only be able to get out to Absarraca now though. I was wondering about the ice but have seen folks out all week.
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I was up at granite this weekend just driving by.And the ice is sketchy! Guys were out but not every where. lol
Where the creek comes in I saw a lot of guts and gills from nice fish. Somebody wasted a nice trout also >:(. But there are fish to be caught there if you want to fish soft water. Bring the best casting rod u got and fish the edges of the ice. Did hear of a 4 lber getting caught off the boat launch Sat..
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thanks for the update taz. I really want to get a few hrs in tom am before work and am trying to decide where.......
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Just got home after 4 hours at Granite. Ice is holding up but varies a lot, 8-16 inches depending on where you are. The ice by the dam is the best. Watched many trout and 2 small perch as they bumped or swam by my jigs only to ignore me. Tried different depths, everything, just couldn't make them bite.
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Thanks for the update man - Especially the tid-bit about perch.
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going to N. Crow on fri, sat....Have next thurs off as well, i hope the ice holds one more week!!
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Hit Crow with Cb today. We didn't kill them but I got a greyling :tipup: My son had a blast and caught a couple fish on his own!
(http://i296.photobucket.com/albums/mm186/fishaholictaz/DSCF0088.jpg)
Thanks again Chris you ROCK!!!!
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NICE! Just one or did you catch more?
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Just the one greyling I think I had another couple bite on a certain jig but can't be sure...
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Awesome day! Weather couldnt have been nicer and it was ice having the kids out on the ice! Great day for all!! Glad to hang with you and Daniel Taz.
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How big do the splake get in North crow?
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What exactly did this "certain jig" look like???? LOL!
Gonna have to hit that lake in the summer, or at least the ponds below it so i can get into some of them. Love catchin new fish.
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Looks like you guys had fun, how was the ice?
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Sorry I didn't put the ice thickness up. It was different in places but the thinnest was 12 inches with 6 inches of snow on top.
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Thanks!
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Made it up to crow this morning, ice is still doing good, it was a solid 11 inches where I was at with a little snow on top(probably thicker in the coves, I didn't check). Saw a few grayling, a few suckers, and ended up catching 14 rainbows. Unfortunely I ran out of meal worms and caught my last fish using a salmon egg, which didn't work anymore after that. They wouldn't hit my jig with dead meal worms either, I learn something new with my camera every trip. Also the road getting in is pretty much snow free.
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Thanks for the report.
Glad to know that there are suckers in there.
Have you ever had much luck catching them?
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In fact there are way too many suckers there. G & F nets them every spring to kill a couple hundred because there isn't sufficient food for the trout to get big. Also why they put splake in there to eat the suckers. The suckers in there are hard to catch, since they are longnose suckers their mouths are really turned down and even with small jigs, they have trouble getting it in their mouth. I had 2 hit my jig today but they have to hit it just right and they didn't come back for a 2nd try. I've only ever actually landed one there and that was last season. The white suckers or whatever they are at granite are easier to catch. If you look at the G & F regional newsletters on their site from one of the past few years it explains more about the suckers there. Sorry to be so long winded.
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Nah thanks for the info. Appreciate it.
Where is a good place to catch suckers at granite? I can only catch stocker trout out there. I think i lucked into one sucker.
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I've caught a couple in the inlet pond(canyon area), truthfully though, I've seen them almost everywhere at granite that I have fished. They don't seem concentrated anywhere, they are just bigger and easier to catch there. I always see them in 5-10 fow on the bottom. Good luck.
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Thanks man.
Appreciate the info. I think I know what I'll be doing tomorrow morning ;) Time to start trying to find some spring cattin bait.
Now if only the itsy bitsy tiny teeny trout would leave my worms a lone!!!
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Went up to Crow for a couple hours this afternoon, caught 4 bows. Ice is still good, 14-16 inches on most of the lake.
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The wife and I just took a drive by the lakes and come across a black lab that fell through the ice and could not make it to shore.State parks was there and few fellow fisher man a long rope and little luck we got him in.Thanks to all that where involved most of all a dude named Frankie. This was the west end of Granite. End of the hard water this year for sure!!!!
This was catch and release!!!!!! FISH ON
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Glad you folks took the time to save him/her. I love dogs. I would have done the same thing.
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Arrow,
Did you drive by N. Crow yesterday? I was hoping for on last trip tomorrow if I can get out there
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With this snow and crappy weather those soft spots will be disguised so be careful if you try. Also this snow is pretty wet I bet the road is pretty soupy...
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Yep. Worst possible timing for a storm. I just need to get out and fish. We'll drill some test holes to check the depth before we get out there
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Na we didn't make it to Crow just Crystal and Granite lot of open water and a lot of fishing going on. Surprised how many people where out on a week day. The summer bug is in the air. But this storm makes a dude want be on the ice. Be careful on Crow bro if you go. I'm going to try to hit some of that open water for sure this weekend. FISH ON
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Made it up to Crow this morning. Road in is pretty bad if you are driving a car, would be no problem in a truck though. Ice is still 16 inches in the coves. I got there a little too late for the morning bite but landed one rainbow and lost another at the hole. Lake is again covered by 4 inches of snow and the ice is still clear and strong. Nice meeting you and your crew treechicken.
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HMMMM maybe one more trip to crow is in order... ???
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Went out to N. Crow with a few friends this morning and caught 12 small rainbows. Bite was best between 7 and 8am. You too Trout
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glad to see you guys still getting them on the hardwater! Out of town for a few days, then ready to get back out!!! Cheers,Chris
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Does North Crow / Granite / crystal have crayfish? Or the Laramie river?
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Laramie river is loaded with crawdads!!!!
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Laramie river is loaded with crawdads!!!!
Sweet ;D
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All the Curt Gowdy lakes have crawdads and plenty of them.
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Good deal. Too bad there is nothing to eat them in large numbers. Somewhat of an unused resource.
I wish they would not stock trout in there. There are a bazillion places to catch trout on the plains lakes. Not to mention stellar trout fishing nearby on the platte. Some smallies, catfish, bluegill, crappie, (and yes I dare say it perch fishing) would be nice to have nearby.
Glendo is not too far of a drive for me. But not everyone in Laramie wants to drive that far for some variety. (Cheyenne to for that matter).
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I sort of agree with you Moose, but there are perch in Crystal and Granite already. Obviously there is not enough food for them because they are all tiny. Also the water is too cold there to produce anything of size except for trout. Personally I love all the lakes at Curt Gowdy and can barely stand to fish the plains lakes. I don't like shallow lakes because fishing from shore is almost impossible, with lures or flies. Besides that many of my largest trout have come from Granite, including a 24" 6.5 lb cutbow, several 22 inch cutbows, 20 inch bows, etc. My largest fish at hattie(and I have fished there a lot) is 22 inches and 5 lbs. I know the plains produce big fish but when you only have a couple hours to fish at a time it is difficult. At curt gowdy at least I catch fish every trip with a chance for a nice one. I grew up in southern california where gills, crappie, cats, bass, were very abundant and trout were a rarity. I would love to go to glendo, grayrocks, etc. but I have 2 jobs, I'm a student, and I'm married, so it's almost impossible. Besides that the plains lakes are downright ugly. Not trying to argue with you Moose, just trying to give another perspective.
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Compromise
Whichever reservoir has the warmer water gets the crappie, perch, walleye, etc.
Deal?
;D
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I sort of agree with you Moose, but there are perch in Crystal and Granite already. Obviously there is not enough food for them because they are all tiny. Also the water is too cold there to produce anything of size except for trout. Personally I love all the lakes at Curt Gowdy and can barely stand to fish the plains lakes. I don't like shallow lakes because fishing from shore is almost impossible, with lures or flies. Besides that many of my largest trout have come from Granite, including a 24" 6.5 lb cutbow, several 22 inch cutbows, 20 inch bows, etc. My largest fish at hattie(and I have fished there a lot) is 22 inches and 5 lbs. I know the plains produce big fish but when you only have a couple hours to fish at a time it is difficult. At curt gowdy at least I catch fish every trip with a chance for a nice one. I grew up in southern california where gills, crappie, cats, bass, were very abundant and trout were a rarity. I would love to go to glendo, grayrocks, etc. but I have 2 jobs, I'm a student, and I'm married, so it's almost impossible. Besides that the plains lakes are downright ugly. Not trying to argue with you Moose, just trying to give another perspective.
I'm going to try a little harder at locating the perch @ Curt Cowdy this summer. There are 'some' in there. In my estimation it is a no brainer why they don't have any food. When there are that many stocker trout competing for resources all you get his below average fishing. I won't even argue that there aren't big trout in the gowdy lakes. Heck the G/F netted like 12lb brown outta there if memory serves me right.
I have my problems with hattie too - - - Even though I'd prefer a better chance at a 10lb+ fish than just catch tiny ones all day long.
Excellent point about the depth of the plains lakes and shore fishing. I agree.
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It would be nice to have some gill / better perch action nearby.
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327 this is ugly ???
(http://i296.photobucket.com/albums/mm186/fishaholictaz/Plains%20lakes/DSCF0039.jpg)
Best part is no people in the shot ;D ;)
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Point well taken, Taz, I do think it is ugly compared to curt gowdy but I spend most of my time in the canyons up there above and below the lakes with no people around. I wasn't very clear, the plains aren't bad during winter but they are just mud puddles that stink during the summer, littered with garbage and tire ruts. I've never stared a deer in the eye from 20 feet away while standing in a creek at hattie(like I have at Gowdy), I guess that's what I'm trying to say. Truthfully hattie wouldn't be that bad if it were full but it's just depressing to me to see the water not even touch the dam. I have a pontoon boat and last time I launched it at hattie I had to wade out at least 50 feet before it would float while up to my knees in mud, discouraging to say the least. That's a good picture of hattie by the way.
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Tim man you made a great point. I let that go unattended. Hattie does have some good scenery. Heck you know what else is nice scenery, a lake all to yourself. Or not crowded at least. Gotta love how most of the lakes around here don't get enormous amounts of pressure.
These plains lakes are great lakes. They give people in this region a place to catch pleny fish. Even some of the smaller lakes and rivers around here have some nice big trout. I just wish there was a little more variety.
And also - - - I mean, think about the difference between hattie and granite. They are VERY similar in size of lake and species but where they differ is that Hattie has a small population of really remarkably large trout. Granite has a remarkably large population of really small trout.
If the G/F would stock less, the fish in there would have a better chance to get huge!!! There would be more to eat, like at Hattie. I understand that you need a place where kids and families can go to catch lots of fish and keep everyone interested. I get that. I even enjoy it sometimes.
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I saw a video on a bluegill structure building project the Arizona G/F did. They built underwater structure thick as heck on a shore that looks just like Granite. I'll show you later tonight after I find it.
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Looking forward to it, in Nebraska where my wife is from they put brushpiles in the lake and it certainly has improved the bluegill fishing. Don't get my wrong, I would like some more variety around here myself. Good luck convincing G&F though. Thanks for the debate guys!
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Too bad Game and Fish wouldn't put something in Gelatt or Meobor since they winterkill anyway. Perch would be less prone to that I would think.
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Gellat has very little winter kill now that they put in the aerator... My son got an old fish out of there last Nov.. look at my avatar ;D
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yeah perch are alot tougher fishs than trout a good example would be sloans lake it got dropped to three feet and they still made it through the winter, another example would be when you keep the fish to take home to eat the perch stay alive alot longer
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They could always stock a lake with perch.... add some cover. Then plant something that is sterile like say splake. or Tiger muskie ;D
That way you can manage the perch population and not worry about the predators over populating. Keeps the perch size up and every once in awhile you get a neat catch - - - something bigger.
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Good idea moose, although say if they were in gelatt(just as an example) it wouldn't matter what kind of trout because they can't reproduce anyway. No proper spawning creeks or habitat.
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Nice, lets vote now. For now on G&F needs to stock tiger muskie in Crystal and splake in Gray Rocks. That shoukld stir things up for a bit.
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Taz, great shot. I spent that entire morning staring at that view thinking "this is frigging beautifu!" What a great day...Still wish i could have seen what tipped that one flag! Cant wait for next hardwater season already!!