IceShanty.com's Ice Fishing Community
Canada => Ice Fishing Saskatchewan => Topic started by: burbotmachine on Nov 18, 2021, 10:10 PM
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Hi guys, When will the ice freeze up? ???
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December 20ish in small bays near Gardiner Dam. A couple of weeks earlier in Coteau Bay. I guess.
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My first day out was December 29 last year on 6 inches in a small bay. Elbow harbour had 14 inches by January 15. I'd say we're about a week behind last year's water temps.
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Well ... it would be nice if things started freezing up after all this cool/ cold weather we have had...been down to minus 20 ish for a few nights now....you would think that the bays that are not open to the west/ east wind direction of much of this big lake would be pretty solid....??? But there is a Lot of water there to cool down....
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have heard of people already fishing in certain areas on some bays. mostly locals or others that live close by. for me personally not a lake to be rushing out there. having said that I've got a few new areas I'm looking forward to checking out after the Christmas holidays.
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9" of ice in the marina at Sask Landing yesterday. A few shacks out on the ice near the marina entrance (and some vehicle tracks.) Caught a 19" walleye and a few burbot in the marina.
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10 to 12 inch of ice in Pump House Bay near Gardiner Dam today.
It must have been walkable a week ago.
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Coteau Bay also 12 inch of ice today.
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The main lake is frozen over near Gardiner Dam. I didn't walk out far, but felt safe to fish.
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Thanks Toon. Christmas break starts soon so hopefully I can make it out there a few times.
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Has anyone been out at the fish farm yet. Wondering about ice?
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Has anyone been out at the fish farm yet. Wondering about ice?
Ice was 14" in front of the WSA pumphouse in Maskepetoon (Birsay) Bay on January 1. It's gotta be the same around the fish farm.
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Ice was 14" in front of the WSA pumphouse in Maskepetoon (Birsay) Bay on January 1. It's gotta be the same around the fish farm.
Is this the pumphouse on the northside of the coulee but on the west side of the lake, south from Birsay?
Do they let ppl park there? I access that area on the south side through the fields in the summer but that has since changed with the rules of land access. I would like the try there this winter but not sure about the access and day parking around that building.
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Is this the pumphouse on the northside of the coulee but on the west side of the lake, south from Birsay?
Do they let ppl park there? I access that area on the south side through the fields in the summer but that has since changed with the rules of land access. I would like the try there this winter but not sure about the access and day parking around that building.
Yes. Signs everywhere of no trespassing but there were 8 trucks parked there on Jan. 2 afternoon. The WSA guy even showed up and I talked to him awhile. I don't think the workers care. And I don't think any of it is private land - I think it's all provincial (WSA) access.
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Curious if anyone has an ice report for Elbow Harbour?
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I was out there last weekend (New Years eve and the Sunday). Harbour is iced over. Where we were ice ranged from 14' to 16'. lots of shacks, etc on the ice. There are even a few at the mouth of the harbour.
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Good morning all,
Just looking for ideas regarding the Elbow Harbour area. What depths should I be focusing on for walleye and perch in the harbour. Or should I be looking to venture out closer to the mouth of the harbour and the main lake. Been seeing and catching whitefish and burbot further in the harbour (between the boat launch and the fueling area in summer) in around 25-30 feet of water. Looking to head out this weekend.
thanks all.
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First outing this year. Coteau Bay is in full action. Trucks went from the Danielson park launch all the way to the south side. Not too much snow on the road or on ice.
Also see lots of action on the western end of Gardiner Dam.
See one fisherman in the pump house Bay.
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Good morning all,
Just looking for ideas regarding the Elbow Harbour area. What depths should I be focusing on for walleye and perch in the harbour. Or should I be looking to venture out closer to the mouth of the harbour and the main lake. Been seeing and catching whitefish and burbot further in the harbour (between the boat launch and the fueling area in summer) in around 25-30 feet of water. Looking to head out this weekend.
thanks all.
I don't know too many guys who target walleye and perch around Elbow harbour. More of a pike and definitely a whitefish and burbot spot. I got 8 burbot on Saturday/Sunday.
Lots of snow/ice this year. 20 inches out the mouth of the harbour and lots of guys driving straight across to Birsay point and even south. Probably saw 10 guys get stuck Saturday afternoon.
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"I don't know too many guys who target walleye and perch around Elbow harbour. More of a pike and definitely a whitefish and burbot spot. I got 8 burbot on Saturday/Sunday.
Lots of snow/ice this year. 20 inches out the mouth of the harbour and lots of guys driving straight across to Birsay point and even south. Probably saw 10 guys get stuck Saturday afternoon."
Fair enough. We did see walleye on the south side of the harbour, but yeah otherwise, burbots and whitefish. Ice was thicker at the mouth then in the harbour too. Where we set up in the harbour, ice was about 14-16 inches. at the mouth of the harbour easily 20 inches.
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How's the snow depth near the damn or pumphouse? I'm assuming it'll be similar to everywhere, hopefully not. Maybe I need to break out the sled and harness again.
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Any updates on snow driving condition?
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Any updates on snow driving condition?
Went to coteau bay on saturday. Easy going compared to LML the week before. The launch is by far the worst part. If you can get past there, you can break trail with no issues. I didnt have to keep speed up at all. Stock 4x4 is plenty, suv is probably OK?
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Heading out to Coteau Bay soon, I have never fished on Lake Diefenbaker so I have a few questions I hope someone might be able to answer.
1. Is there good enough access for a car to get into the Danielson boat launch?
2. Is there decent fishing close to shore in that area? I will be walking on.
3. Anyone kind enough to share some tips for depths and whatnot? Walleye would be the preferred species but I am not too picky!
Thanks all
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Is anyone familiar with the Hitchcock Bay area? I'm headed there tomorrow but have never fished the area before.
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BEWARE OF THE OPEN WATER GAS WELLS
THAT CAN BE ANYWHERE ON THE LK.
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Made my first trip of the season to Diefenbaker today. I saw plenty of vehicles driving on Coteau Bay. At Riverhurst, there were shacks and vehicles on the ice which was in the 20" range for thickness. There is less snow on that lake than on those around Saskatoon.
Driving was no problem as I navigated my way to my sure fire secret walleye spot. The real problem, was that the fish had other plans for me. I managed one weak bite all afternoon at numerous holes. The sunset bite was better, but the fish were all Small-eyes. Wall-fry? No fish dinner from this trip.
At any rate, the coyotes sang me a sweet serenade and the windless evening was a welcome switch. Nice to see that 219 south from Hwy 15 is finally useable.
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What’s the fishing like on the east side near Douglas Provincial park and the Qu’appelle dam? Would be coming from Moose Jaw and haven’t fished out there before. Was wondering if I could cut my diving distance down a bit or would I be better of going to the other side near Coteau were others have mentioned the fishing was good?
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I'm hoping someone can provide me a bit of info regarding Elbow Harbor area and where to setup. More specifically, looking for Burbot. If you wouldn't mind to PM me, it would be appreciated. Happy to return the favor if I can help out on this lake or a different one.
Thanks.
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Target the burbot in the dark. They are all over that area. Any Suttle shore structure associated with deep water nearby. I like 25 to 30 fow.
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Awesome. Thanks Lonestarsask! Do people fish right in the harbour or out in the main lake? I’ve never spent much time in this area…mostly further north near Danielson.
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People fish all over that area. I prefer something off the main lake.
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Between half an hour and 2 hours after sunset, burbot is most active. I like to target burbot in flat channel bed near the bay mouth. That's where depth reach 20 to 30 feet as Lonestarsask says. I saw people catching farther out on the main lake, probably at around similar depth. Occasionally they bite during the day with bait laying on the bottom.
(https://i.postimg.cc/YjgyQQDN/20220112-192302.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/YjgyQQDN)
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Between half an hour and 2 hours after sunset, burbot is most active. I like to target burbot in flat channel bed near the bay mouth. That's where depth reach 20 to 30 feet as Lonestarsask says. I saw people catching farther out on the main lake, probably at around similar depth. Occasionally they bite during the day with bait laying on the bottom.
(https://i.postimg.cc/YjgyQQDN/20220112-192302.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/YjgyQQDN)
Those look nice size!
I've found the bite is hottest between 12-3am, but that's if you're staying out on the ice overnight.
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Thanks ToonFisher and daustman for the info. Hopefully the weather cooperates and I can make it out on Saturday and ice a few!
Cheers!
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Anyone see surface water around the snow drifts last week? I came up to a spot on pump house bay that looked like it could be heaving water flow from a large crack or potentially a gas well? .. hoping it was just some melt from the warm weather ,
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Anyone see surface water around the snow drifts last week? I came up to a spot on pump house bay that looked like it could be heaving water flow from a large crack or potentially a gas well? .. hoping it was just some melt from the warm weather ,
Nothing around Danielson, that i saw.
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(https://i.postimg.cc/hfkxsHff/water.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/hfkxsHff)
from yesterday,
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Hey, I'm just wondering what access is like around the lake since that blizzard. I was going to try at Elbow Harbor this weekend, but curious if some spots are worse than others.
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I was down at the Harbour this afternoon and access is good. Watch for hard drifts out on the lake.
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I was down at the Harbour this afternoon and access is good. Watch for hard drifts out on the lake.
How was fishing?
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I actually just went to check out the access. I haven't been out this week, but last reports were a few burbot and whitefish being caught.
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Anyone catching trout in this tropical weather yet?
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Danielson Park boat launch is fine. But my suv is stuck in wet snow 200 yard out. Thankfully, a nice fisherman pull it out.
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Danielson Park boat launch is fine. But my suv is stuck in wet snow 200 yard out. Thankfully, a nice fisherman pull it out.
I was hoping to drive out this sat with my SUV, but it looks like I'll be bringing my sled out with me.
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I was out at Elbow on the weekend. Access to the harbour is good. The boat launch is slippery going up, some people had to take a few runs at it. Fishing was just ok, but any day on the lake is a good day.
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Was out on the main lake just outside of coteau on the weekend. Really good driving conditions, almost all the snow had melted and refrozen as clear ice. I was kinda concerned it wouldve turned to soup or a layer of bad ice. Wouldve been fine with 2wd on the ice.
Hopefully the bays did the same and it wasnt just less snow out from the dam.
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Fishing Diefenbaker yesterday was like replaying an old George Thorogood song, "One Perch, One Walleye, One Burb". We set up in three different spots and just couldn't attract a lot of fish. The sunny day and minimal snow cover allowed us to use the camera effectively.
The three fish that did bite came directly to the lure and bit without hesitation. We had whitefish that were clearly interested, but wouldn't commit. I engaged one very nice walleye in a ten minute battle of wits. The best mind won and swam off triumphant.
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Went out last night to Diefenbaker for a few hours after work with jpicks. Man it was cold, but we had a couple of cusk roll though and bite. Biggest one was right around 7lbs ( 32" ) Both were males. Bite didn't start until 8 o'clock or so. Warmer days ahead and I'm sure things should start to pick up soon.
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The nice going shawno & jpicks. :tipup:
The burbot spawn should be starting soon.
The FishingGeeks have some interesting ice fishing videos on burbot fishing at Lake Diefenbaker. @)
Check them out at ---> https://www.youtube.com/user/fishinggeeks/videos (https://www.youtube.com/user/fishinggeeks/videos)
WW
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Went out last night to Diefenbaker for a few hours after work with jpicks. Man it was cold, but we had a couple of cusk roll though and bite. Biggest one was right around 7lbs ( 32" ) Both were males. Bite didn't start until 8 o'clock or so. Warmer days ahead and I'm sure things should start to pick up soon.
Released into the grease
(https://i.postimg.cc/F78sBw1g/20220224-180545.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/F78sBw1g)
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That looks good jpicks. :)
Burbot may look like big salamanders, but, they are sure good eating. :woot: :whistle:
WW
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out on the big lake again yesterday cruising around on the sleds searching for active fish morning started out slow picking up just 1 walleye and a pike in the am hours. and many marks that were non committing. after a couple moves and some lunch we decided to check out some bays further down the lake that were new to me and started picking up some walleyes and perch. deeper water 25-40' seem to be where the more active fish were. waypoints were made. jigging raps, slab raps, swim baits tipped with a minnow head seem to be the preferred lures. couple burbots also made it topside. just an awesome day out there spending time with a good friend and catching some fish. looking forward to the next one.
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Im thinking of heading out tomorrow myself, but just sticking in the coteau bay.. or should a guy head to the main lake
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From what I’ve heard it’s not on fire anywhere on the lake but that can change overnight.
I know it’s been tough though lately in most areas. Some fish being caught but nothing crazy
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I agree farmboy more lookers than biters that’s for sure. My Buddy said that this was his 10th or so trip this winter and it’s been tough getting them to bite.yesterday was his best day so far. And they sure weren’t on fire. Gonna give it another go in a few days.
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From what I’ve heard it’s not on fire anywhere on the lake but that can change overnight.
I know it’s been tough though lately in most areas. Some fish being caught but nothing crazy
Find a spot/drop where it goes from 2 ft to 50 ft quick. Spread out there and move around a lot until you find them.
8 burbot and 2 pike on February 26-27 doing exactly that.
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Has anyone been driving on at Hitchcock bay and driving south to pumphouse bay? Or is there a closer access to that area to walk or skidoo on?
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we've been there a few times this year, parked up on top just off the road, used the ATV to get down the hill, wasn't bad at all.
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More snow today.... How is getting around on near the boat launches right now in a truck?
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With all the snow does anyone know what access is like on to Tufts bay? Any chance a 2 wheel drive can get up and down the hill?
This years been challenge when you don't have a truck, quad or ski do. Might have to think about upgrading my toys.
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I drove around the road and down to the launch at Elbow Harbour today and there is lots of snow and the road was hard to see. Probably a good 6" of new snow with flat light. The ramp looked useable, but quite icy. You might have a problem with 2 wheel drive.
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Might have to think about upgrading my toys.
I actually feel the opposite. Those toys can improve your chances for sure, but nothing's foolproof and when you're stuck with a 4x4, that means you're really stuck.
I parked my 4x4 this year and bought me a pair of snowshoes and poles. I had impulsively bought one of those Pelican 75 sleds last year when they were on sale, and rigged it up to just be able to pull myself. Learned some really important things like as long as you have a warm fire, everything else falls into place. There's a liberating feeling for me now not stressing over whether I will need an extra 2 hours to dig out at the end of the day.
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That sounds exhausting...! But
Good on you sir,
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I actually feel the opposite. Those toys can improve your chances for sure, but nothing's foolproof and when you're stuck with a 4x4, that means you're really stuck.
I parked my 4x4 this year and bought me a pair of snowshoes and poles. I had impulsively bought one of those Pelican 75 sleds last year when they were on sale, and rigged it up to just be able to pull myself. Learned some really important things like as long as you have a warm fire, everything else falls into place. There's a liberating feeling for me now not stressing over whether I will need an extra 2 hours to dig out at the end of the day.
Last year we were furtunate enough to drive on to every lake we went to except Lenore and Iroquois. This year we have walked on everywhere. I have a sled but I am hauling kit for three and can’t convince anyone to carry less. We likely have more kit than in permanent shacks.
Hill down to Tufts Bay is very icy. There are tracks so finding the route is not bad. 4 wheel drive are getting up and down but sliding around a bit. We are near the start of the bay in 18’ of water and haven’t seen a thing.
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I went out to the mouth of coteau yesterday and decided not to drive out and ended up pulling the sled. I have way too much stuff, and when there is this much snow it sure is hard to pull haha.
There was a little too much snow on the ramps and on the ice for me to drive with a AWD SUV right now. 4x4 could work maybe, but no guarantees. I'm pretty bummed that we got this dump of snow.
Anyways we had 3 burbot, a nice walleye and a big perch in a few hours, and then nothing for several hours. I was hoping the sunset would bring more burbs out but no luck. Frying them in butter tonight!
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How have the burbs been biting for everyone?
I've been out twice in march and had limited success. Skunked once and then next time had 3 Burbot, plus a nice perch and walleye. Fiance got he first burbot, and a whoppper at almost 30".
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2 of us were out last Saturday, not much luck with burbot. Only 1. We did do good for walleye that day. We haven't had any luck targeting pike or rainbows, skunked on those 2 species. Should be firing up soon I hope.
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Well Jimmysask, the only thing that got fired up yesterday was some aching joints from wrestling with the auger. We fished a couple spots on Coteau in the morning and managed two perch. Moving down the lake, we got one walleye and had a weak bite on another with very few marks. The evening bite had a parade of walleye go past the camera. Most looked like males from the profile. The fish were incredibly skittish. Most did not approach our lures directly, but rather swam by for a cautious peek before going away. Even the slightest enticing movements had the opposite effect. One gently took hold of the end of a minnow head for a couple of seconds and then spit it out and just swam away. Of the 17 odd fish we saw, only one came in hot and, I managed to lose it half way up.
It was a great day to be out, despite getting completely schooled by the walleye.
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Finally got my 1st outing in March. Water is everywhere in Ramp Bay. 3 hours around sunset and no fish.
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I have been instructed by my partner to bring no more burbot home. She declared after our last sampling that she was "not a fan". With my lack of success on Dief for walleye, dinner options were limited last night. I had one perch, one small walleye and some burbot belly meat; having given the better burbot cuts to a friend whose family loves them. I fried them all up with my favourite coating and planned for a true blind taste test.
I told my wife this would be an "all Diefenbaker" dinner and that she should tell me if the fish tasted any different from the regular Blackstrap fare we have been enjoying. The first piece she selected happened to be the burbot. "Mmmmmmm, that's really good" was her spontaneous reaction. When I made the big reveal, I got the expected and well deserved reaction for fooling her. We both agreed however, that the burbot deserves a higher status than we have been giving it.
My son is still not sure. He says, "they taste okay, I just can't stop thinking about how they look." Fair enough.
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Got out on Saturday, couldn't ask for better weather. 4 walleye and a couple small pike landed, lost a couple larger pike. Ice seemed to be getting pretty soft already, hopefully holds out for one more weekend. There was still guys driving around where we were, we walked on because I'm a chicken when it comes to driving around on Dief.
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Your not a chicken Jimmy, your smart for walking instead of driving.
Lots of gas pockets showing up already in various areas of the lake I’ve heard from fiends.
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Hey guys, just wondering if anyone has been on the ice this week. Just curious how its holding up. I feel Dief owes me one monster fish this winter and I would like to get one more day out there.
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My Elbow source says that most people are getting on the lake using quads or side by sides. The edges are supposedly "sketchy".
Considering my last mark (and fish) emerged out of a stream of gas bubbles, one of which made an impressive "burp" in the ice hole, I plan to say so long to Diefenbaker until the spring.
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I was out Tuesday , walked on. There was some standing water near the shores like usual when there's a melt going on. But when I went and checked it out there was a large hole in the middle right through the ice with 2 feet of ice right beside it. Be careful out there even walking on. Ice is very thick out from shores . This was Danielson area. Fishing was slow