Bait shops

[hdwater specialist]

Hey over there in Nebraska was thinking of trying to get out to Box Butte this winter need some info on where to get bait over that way. Any bait shops by Box butte and can you use live minnows? I am in Laramie so any info would be great. Thanks.
Tight lines

[1coldchemist]

I've seen minnows at Cabelas.  Hey I'm in Laramie too. . .we should go fishing sometime

[hdwater specialist]

Maybe we should get together and fish always looking for some poor smuck to go ice fishing with. You ever been to box butte? I can't believe that there is someone else in laramie that Ice fishes; amazing. Need your email address so I can get in touch with you. 
Tight lines

[The Rocket]

Good luck to both of you guys this winter!!!
I myself have a fishing partner other than my Dad, Uncle and Brother.....
When my family moved to NE Colorado, I became good friends with the local pastor
He is from Canada, so fishing is a passion. And he kids LOVE to ice fish...........
I know this would be a great sublejct name under the pictures...
"Rocket, Dad, Robbie and Pastor Veril"

[1coldchemist]

Yeah, we actually know each other.  I just think it's fun to give people a hard time under the condition of anonymity.  Hey Rocket let us know if you do any good over in NE.  If you ever want to come over and hit some lakes in SE WYO let us know as well. (Providing they freeze this winter! )

[The Rocket]

Thanks!! I am hoping to do well this year through the ice..



Rocket>

[hdwater specialist]

Anybody got any info on getting bait around box butte reservoir . Any help would be greatly appreciated.
Tight lines

[jaymzthefisher]

I think you can get minnows in Alliance not sure where I will try to find out. For pike just bring smelt. but better yet just catch small perch or bluegill and put them on your tipup. just remember that they go against your daily bag limit.


                                hope this helps
                                jaymz

[hdwater specialist]

Hey jaymz, was wondering if you ever get over to lake mintare by Scottsbluff. Does that baby freeze and how is the fishing. I know that there is one more lake next to lake mintare how does that one fish? Any info would be great.
Tight lines

[jaymzthefisher]

hey hdwater,

the lake next to Minatare is was Winters creek just used to be awsome for large walleye, bass, perch, gills and Muskie. Fished it all the time very good fishery but it went dry last year saddest thing i have ever saw.

Now minatare can be very good ice fishing for big perch eater sized walleye, crappie, and whitebass, and quite a few nice catfish. It does freeze over pretty thick. Cant fish it until it opens on Jan 15. Last year there was to much food in there cut a hole and shad would actually swim up the ice hole just caught alot of small white bass and very few walleye. 


                               hope this helps
                                james

[hdwater specialist]

That is a really bummer about winters creek. I went home last nite and looked it up to find out what the name was. Got love irrigation. Does it look like mintare will have all that bait fish swimming around again this year? I bet the nebraska game and fish department was crying as well about winters creek. Any reason that they close the lake until Jan 15? Is winters creek filled back up or did they leave it dry? Really getting ice fever over here need some Ice soon. I think we will have it after this weekend up on granite springs reservoir. Thanks for the info James much appreciated.
Tight lines

[1coldchemist]

Hey Jaymz
    Have you ever done any ice fishing on Hawk Springs?  I've never been over there in the summer, but I've heard there's at least walleyes and crappie in there.  Thanks!

[jaymzthefisher]

hey Guys,

I dont think there will be as much baitfish in Minatare this year didnt see the numbers of shad this fall before they closed the lake. The lake is a waterfowl refuge that is why it is closed. Winters creek is not full yet they really need to do some habitat work now that they have the chance.

Hawk Springs is good for walleye and nice perch. Was there last week and it is very low average depth right now is only 3 feet deep. It came up 6 inches this week though.

good news Packers had about 1/4" of ice on it this morning!!!!!!!!!!!


                                    lata
                                    james h

[1coldchemist]

Awesome Jaymz! Keep us posted on the ice conditions over there.  I'm going to post this in "The West" forum but there was actually three inches of ice on the western inlet into Granite Res today.  Hdwater and I got out there and caught several trout and suckers.  We're excited about the suckers to use as lake trout bait.  Funny, but I've never really been excited about catching suckers before.  Thanks a bunch though for all the info!!

[jaymzthefisher]

1coldchemist,

I will keepyou updated. Got down to 14 last night and supposed to get down in single digits tonight all week in the teens and not much over freezing for the highs!!!!

you know what i have also found that first day drilling holes i get excited about some fish that I normally dont!!!!

                                 have fun
                                 jaymz