IceShanty.com's Ice Fishing Community
Washington => Ice Fishing Washington => Topic started by: spiltmilt on Nov 01, 2017, 11:14 PM
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The place for big Yellow Perch, Rainbow Trout, and Tiger Muskie.
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Hit Curlew on New Year's day. Ice was 5-8" out in front of the state park and the road in had been plowed down to the ramp.
Had an amazing morning with well over 50 fish caught in a just a few hours. Hope you enjoy the video.
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Thanks for the video you sure put a hurt on some nice perch. We are thinking of moving to the state of Washington to be near family. I being from the north love to ice fish but found very little on the subject in Washington. Not sure where lake Curlew is but does produce some nice fish. We would be moving north of Spokane Wa. in the Northeast part of the state. Will be watching for your posts under the state of Washington if you post anymore videos of ice fishing. Thanks and good luck fishing.
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I’m seeing a road-trip, and soon! Thanks for the videos, keep ‘em coming!
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I think we are going to try Curlew this weekend. Working on putting the trip together now. ;D
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I'll be at Curlew this Saturday! Hope to see some of you out there.
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I'll be at Curlew this Saturday! Hope to see some of you out there.
We will be there. Looks like we will have good weather. Hopefully the Fish cooperate!
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I am thinking about going out to Curlew as well...one question, where can I pick up some spring bobbers and small jigs on the way from the West Side? Would Sportsman Warehouse in Wenatchee have them?
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I am thinking about going out to Curlew as well...one question, where can I pick up some spring bobbers and small jigs on the way from the West Side? Would Sportsman Warehouse in Wenatchee have them?
I am checking with my cousin who lives there in Wenatchee. I will post once I have an answer one way or the other for you. I know they were purchasing ice fishing stuff this week, but I don't know if they went there to do it.
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I am thinking about going out to Curlew as well...one question, where can I pick up some spring bobbers and small jigs on the way from the West Side? Would Sportsman Warehouse in Wenatchee have them?
She says that they have ice equipment, but that it is selling out quickly and there was not a lot to choose from. Sounds like you may want to give them a call before stopping in there.
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I am thinking about going out to Curlew as well...one question, where can I pick up some spring bobbers and small jigs on the way from the West Side? Would Sportsman Warehouse in Wenatchee have them?
We have ice fishing equipment at North 40 Outfitters in Omak on the way. Stop by and see me (Tyler) or Jack. Be sure and pick up a pack a spring bobbers too!
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Thanks!
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Hit Curlew today and iced 18 perch to go along with several trout (released). Ice was variable, but 8-9 inches where we were with 4-5 of that being nice and clear. Other holes drilled showed only half the clear ice. There was 5-6 inches of water/slush on top. The perch bite was incredibly light, difficult to see/feel at times. We caught some great sized fish including one perch that was between 11-12 inches. We will be back at it tomorrow!
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Awesome! A spring bobber is a must on this lake.
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I hit Curlew today...first time ice fishing. Arrived at 1pm and fished about three hours. Tried out my gear and worked out the basics. Caught and released three juvenile rainbow at about 22 ft of water, so not being skunked I’d call it a success!
On the way out I heard a group of 4 or 5 were slaying perch at a different part of the lake. Oh well, I had fun and enjoy a good day.
(https://s18.postimg.cc/oj6whhjed/826_A172_B-6242-43_B3-841_E-_F557_ABBA09_DB.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/oj6whhjed/)
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That may have been us they were talking about. We iced 40 jumbos today! Great way to spend my birthday out on the ice! We didn’t see any other groups catching them the way we were. The bite is still light and SpiltMilt is correct. A very noodl-y rod or spring bobber would help. We did ok with our ugly stick ice rods though. Just really had to watch. A flasher unit was a huge help to see when schools were moving through.
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Well I should have came by and wish you a Happy Birthday! I was in an orange jacket and hat.
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Next time! We had the red Eskimo shelter setup out to the right of the state park ramp if you were standing on the dock looking at the lake. We were pretty much the only group in our area for most of the day. We did have a couple people move in or around us a few times, but they never stayed long. Hopefully the ice holds for a while longer up there. There are parts of that lake that look really sketchy and even our holes from Saturday were not frozen over when we came back Sunday.
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Hit Curlew yesterday. Ice is in great shape-8-9" with no slop. small amount of slush layer but mostly solid. Fishing pressure seems to have moved them away from in front of dock.
People seem to be having more success out at least 100yds to left or right. Marking them with the finder is almost a must. Still lots of jumbos and bite is still good!
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Hit Curlew yesterday. Ice is in great shape-8-9" with no slop. small amount of slush layer but mostly solid. Fishing pressure seems to have moved them away from in front of dock.
People seem to be having more success out at least 100yds to left or right. Marking them with the finder is almost a must. Still lots of jumbos and bite is still good!
You are making me salivate over here! The best out we have had fishing this year yet has been on Curlew the 13th and 14th of January.
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Fish Curlew today. Ice is holding up great. Rainbows where on the bite but was looking for perch so I turned them all back. Perch where very aggressive bitting but could not stay on a school for more then one or two at a time. Lots of moving produced nine keeper perch and tiered arms. Catch was slow but the company and fishing was great the weather was great.
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Any ice on this lake yet?
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Any ice on this lake yet?
Not capped yet but should be well on its way by this weekend. We had a warm spell this past week.
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Thanks, Tyler. Watched your latest video this morning before work. As always, terrific work! I think you may have convinced me to look at the Alaskan fish trap instead of the jaw jackers.
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Thanks, Tyler. Watched your latest video this morning before work. As always, terrific work! I think you may have convinced me to look at the Alaskan fish trap instead of the jaw jackers.
I was skeptical at first but they really are sensitive. I bet it will work for Kokanee.
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Has anyone been by Curlew yet? How are we looking?
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Current temp say's 24 and hasn't been above freezin this last week.
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Sounds promising...
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Spoke with Tiffany's over the weekend. North of the island at the state park the lake was still wide open but starting to form ice around the docks. Between the island and the state park ramp ice was about 2" thick. Should be getting close after the New Year.
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Thanks, SpiltMilt! We are contemplating a trip up there in January. Either going there or Cascade...
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Trip booked for the 18th - 20th. Man, I hope we have good ice by then. ;D
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You and me both! I’ve got 2 weeks vacation coming in a week, and it’s looking bleak for ice. Forties forecast for the Spokane area. Not good...
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We may end up going to Gillette again instead. The long term weather forecast for Republic is not good. Highs in the high 30s and lows above freezing for much of the next ten days. We are considering cancelling our trip to Curlew. Very disappointing. :-\
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Reports from Curlew this weekend are that the ice sketchy already and with temps headed where they are I doubt its going to get better.
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I agree, sir. We cancelled our Curlew trip and are now going to hit some of the lakes in the Colville area again that weekend. Any idea about ice conditions at Sullivan lake? Would be fun to try for some burbot!
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I agree, sir. We cancelled our Curlew trip and are now going to hit some of the lakes in the Colville area again that weekend. Any idea about ice conditions at Sullivan lake? Would be fun to try for some burbot!
At 1000+ acres and with its depth I seriously doubt Sullivan is good to go.
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I didn't think so. I will try to get a report out once I check the weekend of the 18th. We are going to rent an airbnb not far from there and spend the weekend hitting the lakes we can. Primarily looking for perch or crappie, but would also be open to some other species.
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Give Coffin a try. Its got bass, trout, and tench as well as several other species.
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We struck out on lodging in that area, unfortunately. We are researching Patterson and what might be available near there to rent now. I'm pretty sure I watched a video of you catching Crappie out there, right? Ice still good as far as you know?
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We struck out on lodging in that area, unfortunately. We are researching Patterson and what might be available near there to rent now. I'm pretty sure I watched a video of you catching Crappie out there, right? Ice still good as far as you know?
Yes ice is 7" so even with some loss it should remain safe for some time. You'll find crappie, bass, trout, kokanee, and perch. Sun Mountain lodge is overpriced but you should find some reasonable lodging in nearby Winthrop or Twisp.
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Looks like the forecast changed the past couple of days and Curlew should now be below freezing at night. Has anyone been out there recently to fish or check the ice?
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Still looking for a recent Curlew ice report if anyone has been? ???
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Reports have been widely mixed. Ice is plenty safe 7-8". Reports have been wildly variable. Today I had customers report it was absolutely dead and another walks in and shows me pics of 50 fish on the ice before noon.
They do appear to be biting very lightly and those with spring bobbers or noodle rods are doing better and especially those with electronics. Fish are being caught in 35-40' of water and folks seem to be doing better south of the state park than north.
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Thanks, man! Appreciate the information! I am back on call this week so we will probably try to get up there the weekend of the 1st. Really enjoyed your last video. I thought for sure you were back at Patterson until you posted and said it was Leader lake. It's only another 20 minutes further for us than Curlew so we may have to hit that lake too.
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Working on putting a trip together for Curlew this weekend. Let me know if any of you Shanty regulars plan on being out there!
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Reports are still mixed with anglers reporting no success and others filling buckets on the same day. You got to move to find them. Folks fishing north of the state park up towards Tiffany's resort are doing better with some guys fishing up to 60' deep. Spring bobbers are a must.
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We are staying at Tiffanys so that is great news! Thanks for the update and have a safe trip! Looking forward to your videos from abroad.
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Way too excited for this trip to Curlew this evening... ;D :tipup:
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Way too excited for this trip to Curlew this evening... ;D :tipup:
The excitement was well placed. What a weekend! Plentiful and active fish in about 45' of water. One of those trips you don't easily forget.
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Any ice on Curlew yet?!
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Maybe call the resort?
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I called up there last week and they said the north and south ends were capped but middle was all open. They said they were getting some ice starting around the dock as well. With the warm temps I’m afraid we were slowed down a bit but looks like we are starting to get back on track with the night time lows up there. Can’t wait to get up there!
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We are planning on getting a cabin in Jan if possible. For those of you more familiar with the area...is the resort the best/only place to stay?
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Thanks for the info Hookedlip, I would like to know about lodging also, when I Emailed tiffany's awhile back they said they would only have 2 deluxe cabins available in the winter, kind of spendy if I remember right about 170.00 per night + tax
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Ya they said they would have two cabins operational for the ice season and they were 3 bedroom cabins. They guy I talked with didn’t know the price but what you are quoting sounds about right based on what I have seen on their website. It does seem spendy, but you can probably comfortably split it between 4 guys, since they are three bdrms.
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We usually split with another couple and stay at Tiffany’s. Can’t beat being able to walk out your door and onto the ice.
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Ice at Curlew State Park is 5". My first trip of the year didn't disappoint. Caught my pb Yellow Perch.
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Another good video of a good fishing trip. Got to love those perch fun to catch and very good eating. Happy New Years to you and your wife. Waiting for your next video. :)
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Planning a trip to Curlew, trying to decide the best place to stay. We will be going up at the end of jan, so will be hoping to have enough ice. I'm guessing we will be walking so I would like to pick a place that we will the shortest walk possible to the good fishing areas. Any suggestions? Also, where is a good starting point? Can't wait! This will be our first trip to Curlew ice fishing!
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Planning a trip to Curlew, trying to decide the best place to stay. We will be going up at the end of jan, so will be hoping to have enough ice. I'm guessing we will be walking so I would like to pick a place that we will the shortest walk possible to the good fishing areas. Any suggestions? Also, where is a good starting point? Can't wait! This will be our first trip to Curlew ice fishing!
With upcoming temperatures there is nothing to worry about in terms of ice. The best place to fish is in front of the state park. You can drive down right to the lake and park at the boat ramp. Fish between the state park and the island.
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Sounds great, thanks so much for the help!
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Well we have reservations for sat night the 25th. Was hoping the cold temps last week got some decent ice built up...but looks like some warmer temps at the end of this upcoming week. Anyone been up there, I’d be curious what the ice is like. Thanks
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Well we have reservations for sat night the 25th. Was hoping the cold temps last week got some decent ice built up...but looks like some warmer temps at the end of this upcoming week. Anyone been up there, I’d be curious what the ice is like. Thanks
Ice remains good in front of the state park but the north end of the lake in front of Tiffany's remains unsafe. Highs in the 40's and rain this week will hinder any substantial ice growth and create a very sloppy mess. Be careful venturing away from the south end of the lake.
(https://scontent-sea1-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/82505229_2962065997137840_2655983208633466880_n.jpg?_nc_cat=107&_nc_ohc=9IeazFMhcHAAX9OpM23&_nc_ht=scontent-sea1-1.xx&oh=c89d41f136e0011263729062a988b5d1&oe=5ED28E6E)
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Thanks for the update on ice conditions....can’t believe the warm weather we are having. Might need to cancel and try for another weekend. >:(
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Hit Curlew this Saturday and fished off the islands at the state park. Ice was good immediately off the boat launch, maybe 5-6” of good ice with 3” of white frozen snow on top, then a few more inches of water/slush. Out around the island to the NW of the launch good ice was closer to 3-4” and kind of sketchy with a barely frozen slush layer. Weather was terribly warm - never seemed to really get below freezing all weekend and it was WET. Nearly everywhere had 2-3” of wet slush.
My family owns a cabin just south of Tiffany’s on the west side of the widest and deepest part of the lake. We went down to the dock with an auger to see how it was there - the auger punched right through - ice was basically just a slush layer there on the main lake.
Fishing sucked. 1 small perch between our group. Quite a few trout between 5 and 16”. A few of the bigger ones had more copepods on them than I like to see.
Interestingly, we picked up an almost-black, milting male Kokanee about 15-16”. Cool to see at least one of the kokes WDFW has been stocking survived to adulthood. I’ve trolled around in the summer a few times and never seen one.
Pretty sure we saw perch on our screens but they just weren’t interested.
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Curlew Lake is good to go. 5-6" but still thin north of the island. Good luck have fun!
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Curlew is still fishing great!
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Not a ton of action on this thread??? Washingfornia is just not the place for ice I guess. I do need to get up north and give curlew a try. Used to spend a lot of time there in the summer as a kid.
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Not a ton of action on this thread??? Washingfornia is just not the place for ice I guess. I do need to get up north and give curlew a try. Used to spend a lot of time there in the summer as a kid.
Most everyone has migrated to Facebook. My last trip to Curlew there was almost 40 people there. It's a popular pursuit here.
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Most everyone has migrated to Facebook. My last trip to Curlew there was almost 40 people there. It's a popular pursuit here.
Man, I was really hoping I would not have to go back onto FB again. Guess this would be worth looking at though. Sure hope the ice fishing page has found a way to keep politics out of every single freaking post.
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Looks like FB is getting CANCELLED LOL....
A skiff of ice on the old mill pond this morning but nothing on Curlew yet.
I am a new user and Ferry County local and will post updates.
I don't do pics anymore sorry....geotracking and such...... >:(
Tight Lines
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Thanks for the report! It would be nice to get a few more users here on ice shanty and steer away from FB. Really excited to get on curlew this season! :tipup:
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Getting cold! Tributary streams are freezing! Not long now.....
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1" of Ice at the State Park.....North End still looks open. Not quite yet.....
Will check again soon.......
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Just checked an area near Black's Beach and theres 3.5' of clear.....colder temps to come. Checking state park tomorrow.......
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Can’t wait! 🎣
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Any news on Curlew lake ice. Hoping to go after New Years. Going to be cold just hope the snow on top doesn’t screw it up from making good ice. Tight lines guys.
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Sounds like there is ice near the state boat launch. People have been catching fish out there for sure.
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The temps in Curlew are below zero so it should be making ice. Will plan a trip after New Years.
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Its on at Curlew. Most of the lake should be safe by now. I fished near Black's Beach and ice was 4.5". Caught a few but the lake seems off this year...water is a weird color.
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Thanks for the report I appreciate it. Maybe the hot weather and dryness had something to do with the off color.
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Lots of tents even saw a quad on the lake today. Beautiful day. Fishing thru 8" of ice.
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Down to -12 last night.....and ice is 5-8" depending on where you drill.
Not seeing the size on the perch I was seeing last season but they are there. Lots of algae growth shallow.....maybe from such a warm summer and low water levels. Catching them right at the bottom in the silt layer.
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Tons of snow up here this past week. Unsure of what the ice is doing. Will post up this weekend.
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Does anyone know the snow conditions on Curlew lake? Would be going in from the state park launch. Thanks.
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Hit Curlew lake Saturday morn early. Ice is not snow covered and ice cleats are a must. Ice is plenty thick seen snowmobiles on it. Fished from State Park boat launch. Lots of people fishing parking lot overfilled with cars and trucks. Caught some perch but had a hard time finding them. Heard some guys did well. Good luck fishing.
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New member here! Following along with curlew ice reports. Hoping to get out there early February.
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New member. Would like to try ice fishing with a guide. Anyone know of any guides who will take an old man ice fishing in NE Washington? Please post information.
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Been fishing Curlew since February 5. Ice is between 10-12”. I don’t know if it’s because it’s been warm this week but the ice has been making lots of noise, sometimes cracking around us and we can feel it move, kinda un nerving. The fishing has been slow but it might be that we aren’t fishing with maggots for the perch. We have been catching some whopper trout on night crawlers though. I do know a guy needs to be at least 40 feet deep.