Author Topic: North Idaho Ice (Read 540118 times)

BIGxJIMxSLADE · « **Reply #2340 on:** Jan 08, 2016, 10:58 PM »

Got out on Avondale about noon and fished 'til 3. Had the usual tiny perch bite every drop to the bottom. Got 2 nice 12" crappie up above the perch about 2 feet.
Ice still good and about 5 inches in several spots.

CMS · « **Reply #2341 on:** Jan 09, 2016, 06:59 PM »

Is round lake safe enough to try or is it thawing with all this warmth? I'm gonna hit Avondale tommorow since it sounds like the safest bet and I'm not very experienced at judging ice.

BlueDuck · « **Reply #2342 on:** Jan 09, 2016, 07:07 PM »

I stopped by Round lake Friday and there were several groups fishing. Walked out and talked to one guy and he had 4" of good ice with slush on top. It was a little sloppy walking around. The lows this weekend might help tighten it up some. Id fish it with a little caution.

Idahogator · « **Reply #2343 on:** Jan 09, 2016, 07:10 PM »

Quote from: CMS on Jan 09, 2016, 06:59 PM

I'm not very experienced at judging ice.

Lets make you an expert. You'll be with us much longer, ha.

MAKE OR BUY AN ICE SPUD !

Yikes ! BlueDuck, it was 5 1/2" Tuesday and I measured all 6 holes, ha. The "pucker" is close.

Crom · « **Reply #2344 on:** Jan 09, 2016, 10:09 PM »

Howdy folks,

I fish Round Lake during the regular season, but want to try ice fishing for the first time. I plan on using my existing lightweight rods and investing as little as possible to start with. A pair of spikes and maybe an ice spud for safety, would that be enough to get started? Will I need to buy an auger, or would an axe or spud suffice to open existing holes? Do people use ropes and anchors?

I'm also a big guy @ 300lbs, so worried about ice thickness. I drove by Round last week and there were lots of people out on it. Any chance anyone is headed out Sunday or Monday morning who could throw a few suggestions my way? Maybe someone who wants to make a new fishing buddy?

Thanks,
Rich

Idahogator · « **Reply #2345 on:** Jan 09, 2016, 10:35 PM »

Welcome to Iceshanty, Crom.

It looks safe to me ~ I'll follow you. lol

On the serious side though, it's really getting sorta iffy, I think. That 4" BlueDuck was on, was Friday, tomorrow being two days later sure makes a floating suit seem to be the safest way on Round Lake.

I don't think you'll need an auger for a while out there, as there must be at least a hundred holes scattered in good places.

I have a spud you're welcome to use ~ just say you'll have the wrist strap attached, ha. (That will save you being given the nickname"Logger", ha)

As far as rods go, I use several of my 'summer' units every time I'm there. I am planning to be there Monday and, if the ice is good, I'll get off the dock.

I best sent you a PM, so, watch your in-box.

Crom · « **Reply #2346 on:** Jan 10, 2016, 12:17 AM »

Thanks for the reply and PM. I couldn't PM you directly, so I will drop by Round Lake after I take my daughter to school on Monday. That will put me there around 8am. Look forward to meeting you if you make it out there.

Thanks,
Rich

Idahogator · « **Reply #2347 on:** Jan 10, 2016, 12:27 AM »

Ok Rich. I'll look for the biggest guy out there, ha.

I'm hopin' for good ice.

BlueDuck · « **Reply #2348 on:** Jan 10, 2016, 09:29 AM »

It wouldn't take much of a cold snap to make things alot better. I keep looking at a couple of weather forecasts and its always tomorrow or the day after its going to get down in the low twenty's or teens. Like a carrot and a stick, but it never gets here. This winter has been quite a tease.

bullpine · « **Reply #2349 on:** Jan 10, 2016, 10:12 AM »

As far as safety goes you can always do these 3 things: 1) Used 50 or more feet of rope to pull your sled and loop it around one arm. If you fall in someone can get to your sled and help pull you out. 2) Wear your ice picks on the outside of all your clothing. I loop mine under one arm as they attach into a loop. Good luck finding any in Coeur d'Alene. North 40 has some that retract but don't loop. If you fall in get flat or parallel with the ice and kick and pull yourself onto the ice in the direction you came onto the ice. 3) Wear a life jacket that will float 300 pounds. And all the other things mentioned above and don't crowd into groups and travel in single file. Chances are you are not going under, I never have at 250, but then again the bigger you are the harder you fall.

perchhead1 · « **Reply #2350 on:** Jan 10, 2016, 11:32 AM »

I just use two Phillips screwdrivers as ice picks, length of parachute cord and duct tape them to the p cord.

Idahogator · « **Reply #2351 on:** Jan 10, 2016, 02:09 PM »

These are nice, from smitty.

http://www.iceshanty.com/ice_fishing/index.php?topic=301448.msg3166327#msg3166327

Crom · « **Reply #2352 on:** Jan 10, 2016, 05:16 PM »

I picked up a pair of spikes at the Sandpoint Walmart today. They had several pairs left for ~$7 each.

Idahogator · « **Reply #2353 on:** Jan 10, 2016, 08:19 PM »

Jeez, I got lucky.

http://www.iceshanty.com/ice_fishing/index.php?topic=324631.new#new

CMS · « **Reply #2354 on:** Jan 10, 2016, 10:01 PM »

Wow, congrats!

BlueDuck · « **Reply #2355 on:** Jan 11, 2016, 04:58 PM »

Way to go .... Gator!

Idahogator · « **Reply #2356 on:** Jan 11, 2016, 05:09 PM »

Thanks !!!

Nice seeing you today.

I got the limit for the smoker.

stjoemitch · « **Reply #2357 on:** Jan 12, 2016, 07:48 AM »

Fernan perch have been 8-9". Nice fish ice has been good in some spots too thin in others.

sihlms391 · « **Reply #2358 on:** Jan 13, 2016, 09:44 AM »

Well season is done already. All the rain and warm weather forces me to put things away. Not as crazy as I was in my younger years.

Idahogator · « **Reply #2359 on:** Jan 13, 2016, 10:20 AM »

Quote from: sihlms391 on Jan 13, 2016, 09:44 AM

Well season is done already.

Well, Mother hen and all her ducklings.

uprivercasey · « **Reply #2360 on:** Jan 13, 2016, 11:37 AM »

Does anybody think the ice will hold up north around Bonner's ferry?

Idahogator · « **Reply #2361 on:** Jan 13, 2016, 12:44 PM »

Now that is a good possibility, Casey.

Smith Lake comes to mind, hmm ? Has anyone seen it this year ?, (that you care to speak of? LOL )

perchhead1 · « **Reply #2362 on:** Jan 13, 2016, 04:49 PM »

I was on Dawson yesterday, slush layer, then some ok ice with this rain today, plus some wet snow last night things are not looking good.

Idahogator · « **Reply #2363 on:** Jan 13, 2016, 04:54 PM »

To be safe, we really need some sort of flotation.

Say, I could use this little 8' John boat, ha.

Idahogator · « **Reply #2364 on:** Jan 14, 2016, 06:04 PM »

Just so you're all aware of this event Saturday in Cd'A.

http://fishandgame.idaho.gov/public/media/viewNewsRelease.cfm?newsID=8015

fishaddict · « **Reply #2365 on:** Jan 15, 2016, 09:51 AM »

Stopped by Cocallala yesterday. 4 inches of ice with 1-2 inches of slush on top. I don't like sketchy ice so I didn't go out far but there was a few guys further out on the lake. Drove past Twin as well, no one out on the ice but lots of footprints so people have been out there. 25 degrees this morning in Rathdrum, so that may help. Had a great time just driving around and enjoying the day!

bullpine · « **Reply #2366 on:** Jan 15, 2016, 08:18 PM »

http://www.express.co.uk/news/science/616937/GLOBAL-COOLING-Decade-long-ice-age-predicted-as-sun-hibernates

Idahogator · « **Reply #2367 on:** Jan 15, 2016, 08:39 PM »

Oh, good. Bring it on.

I best get an auger extension before there's a shortage.

elkhunter57 · « **Reply #2368 on:** Jan 16, 2016, 10:24 PM »

Just got off the ice on Houser 3" of clear solid ice under 3" of frozen slush that was very solid. We got out late so the bite wasn't great but the ice felt solid. We didn't move around allot and stayed on the fire station side fishing existing holes mostly because there where so many to choose from.

icebomb · « **Reply #2369 on:** Jan 16, 2016, 10:40 PM »

Thanks for the report elkhunter. I've been wondering about Hauser. I will be hitting it on Monday.

News:

Author Topic: North Idaho Ice (Read 540118 times)

sihlms391