Author Topic: North Idaho Ice (Read 540226 times)

DakotaElkSlayer · « **Reply #570 on:** Nov 29, 2011, 10:10 PM »

Quote from: fishaddict on Nov 23, 2011, 01:02 AM

We need to get some good ice going quick! I have just accepted a job in Arizona. I have, maybe, two months of training up here and then I'm off to warmer climates! I would really like to catch some big pike before I go. After that I will be forced to fish for stripers or other sweet warm water species!

Arizona?!!!

Hopefully, this job gives you a TON of vacation time so you can get the hell outa' there in the winter and get some fishing in!

Jim

fishaddict · « **Reply #571 on:** Nov 30, 2011, 10:01 AM »

@Jim, I should get some good vacation time! The good part is that the town we are moving to is at 5500ft elevation. We won't have to deal with that Phoenix heat. It even snows a little in the winter. Large pine forest with lots of Mulies and Javelinas. No ice though. Wish the job was in Idaho but........it's not.

eatumfish · « **Reply #572 on:** Nov 30, 2011, 08:46 PM »

things are looking up, got my fingers crossed

BlueDuck · « **Reply #573 on:** Dec 02, 2011, 09:25 AM »

Looks like clear and cool for a week or two. Keep those fingers crossed.

sticksandstring · « **Reply #574 on:** Dec 02, 2011, 09:28 AM »

river was skimmed over on the way to work

idahonative · « **Reply #575 on:** Dec 02, 2011, 03:00 PM »

I've been ready to go back out since March 25th...

eatumfish · « **Reply #576 on:** Dec 02, 2011, 06:25 PM »

I went out on the dock at McArthur lake and knocked a hole in the ice and there was 3 inches at end of the dock. how much is safe? dont wat to fall in. $:-\$

Idahogator · « **Reply #577 on:** Dec 02, 2011, 07:01 PM »

Quote from: eatumfish on Dec 02, 2011, 06:25 PM

I went out on the dock at McArthur lake and knocked a hole in the ice and there was 3 inches at end of the dock. How much is safe? Don't want to fall in. $:-\$

I usually feel 4" to be minimum to avoid that pucker feelin' and I leave the heavy items for 5". I also avoid crowds close by to prevent "Sag Ice". Your own weight is another thing to keep in mind ~ are you 120# or 350#? Slam your spud into the ice a few feet or a yard out ahead, if it doesn't go through, take a step and do it again. Try to put it in the same hole three times and if it's not in the water, you MAY stay dry. Good luck out there Eatumfish.
Say, could you put an approximate location in your profile. That'll help me remember you're in my area.

Lookin' good next week for more chilly weather and better ice conditions.

The Panhandle Regional Fishing Report is available at this link to Idaho Department of Fish and Game. You can sign up for their Email up-dates.

http://fishandgame.idaho.gov/public/fish/?getPage=227

Idahogator · « **Reply #578 on:** Dec 02, 2011, 09:09 PM »

Nice link Woodland, thanks for bringing it to our attention.

Some day this sort of article may be required reading.

idahonative · « **Reply #579 on:** Dec 03, 2011, 12:24 AM »

Yeah, that's a great link. Can't wait for it to update!

BlueDuck · « **Reply #580 on:** Dec 03, 2011, 09:48 AM »

15 degrees here (Garwood area) this morning. Come on ice!

perchhead1 · « **Reply #581 on:** Dec 04, 2011, 04:08 PM »

McArthur Lake has variable ice conditions and I would be very careful on this lake, I think within one week we could have some safe ice, early ice I carry a rope, life jacket and two ice spikes to pull myself out. I hope to check some area lakes this week for thinkness. Boundary Co.

Idahogator · « **Reply #582 on:** Dec 04, 2011, 04:28 PM »

Anyone been up to Smith Lake yet?

idahonative · « **Reply #583 on:** Dec 04, 2011, 05:03 PM »

Has anybody ever tried Shepherd Lake through the ice?

Idahogator · « **Reply #584 on:** Dec 04, 2011, 10:05 PM »

Never, yet.
But I do listen and remember others saying there are a few/some perch in Shepard Lake, usually not many dinks, 8"to11" average, but not many per outing.

BlueDuck · « **Reply #585 on:** Dec 05, 2011, 09:32 AM »

I fish Mirror lake once in a while. When I drive by Sheperd I never see anyone on the lake. Always looks like the dead sea when I go by.

Bearsfan · « **Reply #586 on:** Dec 05, 2011, 09:46 AM »

Always wanted to try it for pike but never did, might be worth a try.

bullpine · « **Reply #587 on:** Dec 05, 2011, 05:46 PM »

Lows in the teens and low 20s in Sandpoint and highs not much over 32 degrees. We will be making some ice now!

BlueDuck · « **Reply #588 on:** Dec 05, 2011, 08:08 PM »

I checked upper Twin this afternoon. It was ice covered and about 3/4 of an inch thick at the boat ramp. Its a start.

chipmunksniper · « **Reply #589 on:** Dec 05, 2011, 09:46 PM »

Drove around Hauser lake today and about 1/2 of the lake was iced over but no safe ice yet

idahonative · « **Reply #590 on:** Dec 05, 2011, 11:22 PM »

Access to Shepherd is a little difficult in the winter, that's why I've never tried it.

eatumfish · « **Reply #591 on:** Dec 06, 2011, 10:18 PM »

I walked out on smith lake today and drilled a hole and found 3 1/2 inches of ice there was several other holes that people have made and some blood by one so somebody got one. it just not quite enough ice for me yet to feel comfortable tho. but its getting close. there have been lots of people ice skating on MacArthur lake and i know it is about the same thickness's there. getting ready.

Idahogator · « **Reply #592 on:** Dec 06, 2011, 11:40 PM »

Brave and bold on 3 1/2", hmm, not me. Too much pucker factor for me, I'll wait for 4 1/2", maybe toward the weekend. Thanks Eatumfish.

DakotaElkSlayer · « **Reply #593 on:** Dec 07, 2011, 12:18 AM »

Plan on checking ice conditions this Friday around here. Temperatures at night have been good the last couple of weeks and with NO SNOW, I might bring some gear with me!

JIm

idahonative · « **Reply #594 on:** Dec 07, 2011, 01:13 AM »

I may check either Avondale or Kelso before Saturday.

HooknHunter · « **Reply #595 on:** Dec 07, 2011, 08:40 AM »

Quote from: Idahogator on Dec 06, 2011, 11:40 PM

Brave and bold on 3 1/2", hmm, not me. Too much pucker factor for me, I'll wait for 4 1/2", maybe toward the weekend. Thanks Eatumfish.

2 years ago I saw 3 people riding an ATV on Henry's with what I'd call 3 1/2 inches of ice. Now that's nuts! That gave me a pucker just watching it. I was glad they didn't come over near me....

idahonative · « **Reply #596 on:** Dec 08, 2011, 03:24 PM »

Avondale has 3 inches of clear, but it's still open in the middle. I talked to a guy out there ice skating and he said that Fernan has 3" of clear also at the boat launch.

DakotaElkSlayer · « **Reply #597 on:** Dec 08, 2011, 09:54 PM »

Just heard that people were fishing Winchester Lake near the boat launch today! Sounds like there is 3" of good ice on there!

Jim

troutfool · « **Reply #598 on:** Dec 09, 2011, 02:31 PM »

Hello everyone I am new to the forum although I found it last year and consulted it and found everyone to be informative.

Is there anybody on here that lives on or near Priest Lake? Does anyone think it might ice over this year?

Idahogator · « **Reply #599 on:** Dec 09, 2011, 02:45 PM »

Welcome Troutfool, sorta nice to see someone else claimin' Sandpoint. With the weather weird all over the planet, I guesstimate we're gonna get whacked by ma nature, and soon. Pend Oreille may skim over and there is nothing Al Gore can do about it. Priest should be very safe too. Here's hopin'.

News:

Author Topic: North Idaho Ice (Read 540226 times)

HooknHunter