Author Topic: North Idaho Ice (Read 540129 times)

WinterWizard · « **Reply #2490 on:** Dec 17, 2016, 06:54 PM »

Drove up to Sandpoint today with the wife and made a big loop.

Cocolalla still had a very small area not froze(maybe an acre) saw 1 shanty out on the south end

Shepherd Lake 3+ inches(used a spud a checked) good ice

Mirror, didn't go out but it was froze over and looked good

Gamlin, 1/2 doz fishermen out on the lake

Bottle Bay on Lake Pend Oreille was surprisingly froze over good. I didn't go out, not sure if parking is available. I use to park at the resort.

Condos at Sandpoint, looked thin but froze over good. Water is a good 3 feet lower than when I fished it last(12-14 years ago)

Jewel lake froze good but didn't go out

Idahogator · « **Reply #2491 on:** Dec 17, 2016, 07:27 PM »

Tank you WW for sharing all that.

plfish · « **Reply #2492 on:** Dec 17, 2016, 08:03 PM »

Went to Blue Lake this afternoon. A few tracks going out to the lake but none on the lake. Drilled my first test hole and lost an auger blade

. Fortunately I brought a spud bar with me. 7" in the "channel", 5.5" once you get to the lake and it varied from just under 5" to 6". Ice was very clear and firm with 3-4" of very powdery snow on top. I could see some grayer snow in a long line a little further out but didn't investigate. I wasn't comfortable venturing out and drilling test holes without an auger and after seeing some of the variability in the thickness....although ice was likely decent. No fish on the ice but my son had a few bites on a jigging rap.

WinterWizard · « **Reply #2493 on:** Dec 17, 2016, 08:32 PM »

Forgot Round Lake, walked out and spudded a few spots and would guess 4"+ and 4 or so folks fishing it.

Anyone from this site ever ice fish Morton Slough? It was froze as well

sihlms391 · « **Reply #2494 on:** Dec 18, 2016, 06:51 AM »

Thanks for info guys. Hopefully Tuesday doesn't hurt us with wind and rain in forecasts.

gillsonice · « **Reply #2495 on:** Dec 18, 2016, 05:31 PM »

Cocolalla has 4 inches on north end, to bad the weather is turning nasty for a couple days.

houlzhouse · « **Reply #2496 on:** Dec 18, 2016, 05:56 PM »

did anyone hit upper twin or Avondale today? if so how's the ice?

atholmike · « **Reply #2497 on:** Dec 19, 2016, 10:46 AM »

We went to Fernan Saturday. 3 in of clear ice off of the main dock. I went about a mile down the lake to the wide spot that has the wood sign in the tree that says something like " old geezers fishing hole". I went about 10 ft out from shore and there was 2 in of clear ice. Thanks "Winter Wizard" on the update on the update on some of my favorite lakes.

DEER4DINNER · « **Reply #2498 on:** Dec 21, 2016, 11:46 AM »

Hey all. Haven't broken out the ice fishin' gear yet but have been thinking about it after a long and productive huntin' season. An elk, a deer, and 4 turkeys in the freezer. Now I need to ice some Omega 3's.

Anyone checked on Hayden (Sportsman's)? I took a drive out there about a week ago. Didn't look quite ready and there weren't any tracks on the ice that I could see. Could be solid after that last cold spell.

Drove to the upper end of Fernan yesterday and looked pretty sketchy. Nobody on the ice.

Wife commutes to Sandpoint 3 days a week. She reported 4 guys on Cocolalla this morning.

Hopefully no more 40 degree days.

Merry Christmas!

RathdrumKris · « **Reply #2499 on:** Dec 21, 2016, 09:17 PM »

New here.Anyone know if Mica bay has good ice?

BlueDuck · « **Reply #2500 on:** Dec 22, 2016, 08:20 AM »

Fished Cocolalla yesterday. 5" of good ice with 2 -3" of snow on top. Saw a dozen others out on the ice too. Fishing was a little slow but most everyone seemed to have some fish. Perch were running 7-9". Saw some trout up to 14".

Checked Round lake. 5" good ice with 3" of snow on top. Seemed a little sloppier then Cocolalla but its 10 degrees this morning so Id bet its tightened up.

stjoemitch · « **Reply #2501 on:** Dec 22, 2016, 06:31 PM »

Need a report from Fernan Lake. Hoping for 3-4" on the east end?

RathdrumKris · « **Reply #2502 on:** Dec 22, 2016, 06:44 PM »

Anyone know how the ice is on Hayden sportsman access?

idahnt · « **Reply #2503 on:** Dec 22, 2016, 08:22 PM »

Hey Blueduck. Where did you go out on Cocolalla?

Idahogator · « **Reply #2504 on:** Dec 22, 2016, 08:52 PM »

My moneys on the north end sportsmens access, idahnt.

For sure ~ not along Hwy 95 or anywhere near the railroad.

idahnt · « **Reply #2505 on:** Dec 23, 2016, 08:32 AM »

Thanks Gator. I guess I'll have to scope out some private access as the place I like to fish is to far to walk from the north end.

BlueDuck · « **Reply #2506 on:** Dec 23, 2016, 09:36 AM »

Idahnt.... Park at the boat ramp at the Sportsman's access. Pretty much straight out from the ramp.

hugeinchina · « **Reply #2507 on:** Dec 23, 2016, 11:58 AM »

Thanks for the great info! I hope the trout out of Cocalalla are not farmed...

Idahogator · « **Reply #2508 on:** Dec 23, 2016, 01:05 PM »

Fish and Game raises fingerlings to stock thousands . Mostly Kamloop Triploid Hybrid.

hugeinchina · « **Reply #2509 on:** Dec 23, 2016, 02:39 PM »

Finglerlings are fine. By the time they get old enough to catch, they normally taste ok again I think. It's the stocked 12-18 inch trout that I usually try to avoid.

Idahogator · « **Reply #2510 on:** Dec 23, 2016, 02:48 PM »

There should be a small note saying "farmed". Good lighting in the fresh fish isle and reading the label avoids those nastys. lol

hugeinchina · « **Reply #2511 on:** Dec 23, 2016, 02:53 PM »

Yes, indeed! Someone was nice enough to reply with a recipe though and I will be giving them one last try this winter. Spring Valley reservoir is so close to me that it would be nice if I was able to take advantage from time to time.

Idahogator · « **Reply #2512 on:** Dec 23, 2016, 02:57 PM »

Have you done brineing, smoking, all that?

hugeinchina · « **Reply #2513 on:** Dec 23, 2016, 03:01 PM »

I tried smoking some last winter, but made the mistake of not brining. The recipe I got does include a brine step for 24 hours before smoking. I am hopeful that will do the trick.

Idahogator · « **Reply #2514 on:** Dec 23, 2016, 03:10 PM »

It's an adventure worthy of attention. The proper salt type, lots of brown sugar, dissolved, cool, maybe cold. And not too hot. Hard to fail.

hugeinchina · « **Reply #2515 on:** Dec 23, 2016, 03:26 PM »

I don't have a great deal of smoking experience. I bought one of those grill/smokers second hand. This is the kind that has a smoke box attached to a barrel smoker. For wood I have a variety of fruit tree wood (apple etc) that I load the box with and then spend all day trying to keep somewhat lit. It's a constant struggle.

Idahogator · « **Reply #2516 on:** Dec 23, 2016, 03:36 PM »

It's good you're right there with it, cause a runaway fire, yikes,. Disaster. lol

hugeinchina · « **Reply #2517 on:** Dec 23, 2016, 06:40 PM »

Anyone been out to Hauser at all? How's it looking?

icefish99 · « **Reply #2518 on:** Dec 24, 2016, 03:48 PM »

Went to Avondale yesterday afternoon. got enough perch for 6 of us for supper boy was they good. Lot of people on the ice. about 4" ice. now it is snowing again. Have a Great Christmas ever one, and tight lines !!!!!!

CMS · « **Reply #2519 on:** Dec 24, 2016, 06:44 PM »

I fished for a couple hours at round lake today. There's some slush for about twenty yards passed the main dock. There was 5" where I was at. I caught one 10" brook trout and a dozen perch but nothing of any size. The brook trout was sure purdy, I don't know if it is spawning colors or the cold water.

News:

Author Topic: North Idaho Ice (Read 540129 times)

sihlms391