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Nebraska => Ice Fishing Nebraska => Topic started by: Mr Merritt on Jan 30, 2014, 09:22 AM
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It was a beautiful winter afternoon yesterday when I decided to play hooky. I got on Boardman Creek from Beeds landing about 12:30. I had the whole creek arm to myself until about 2:30. By 4:30 I had one sticked a limit of mostly crappies. No slabs in my creel, they ran 9-11 inches. Later last evening a local angler let me know about 2 really nice crappies of 14 & 15 inches they had mixed in their stringers. They were fishing up the Snake Arm.
Ice reports I am getting for the Snake and Boardman arms are good...12-14 inches good ice. Recent high winds and warm temps have opened up areas of the main lake. I suggest avoiding the main lake and as always use caution and common sense wherever you travel and fish.
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A group of 9 anglers limited out two days in a row last weekend in the Snake Arm. Average crappies were about 1 pound with a few bigger to 1.65#. Some perch with about a 3/4 pound average were mixed in.
The back stretches of Boardman Creek continues to produce some nice pike running 27-34 inches on average. Occaisional big pike of 36 to 43 inches have been taken there as well. Those not released were reportedly full of alewives. Tip ups with smelt or live chubs are working there. I keep waiting to hear of someone figuring out a good artificial bait to imitate a 5"-6" alewife. Perhaps a large chrome jigging spoon or blade... Could be a fun pattern for pike. Anybody with an idea??
Ice conditions on the Boardman and Snake arms is good. 14" to 16" is being reported. Recent open water now skimmed over on the main lake with a bit of snow on the ice make travel there not recommended. Fishermen are reaching productive areas in the Snake with ATV's from Cable Hill and Snake Boat ramp accesses.
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A group of 9 anglers limited out two days in a row last weekend in the Snake Arm. Average crappies were about 1 pound with a few bigger to 1.65#. Some perch with about a 3/4 pound average were mixed in.
The back stretches of Boardman Creek continues to produce some nice pike running 27-34 inches on average. Occaisional big pike of 36 to 43 inches have been taken there as well. Those not released were reportedly full of alewives. Tip ups with smelt or live chubs are working there. I keep waiting to hear of someone figuring out a good artificial bait to imitate a 5"-6" alewife. Perhaps a large chrome jigging spoon or blade... Could be a fun pattern for pike. Anybody with an idea??
Ice conditions on the Boardman and Snake arms is good. 14" to 16" is being reported. Recent open water now skimmed over on the main lake with a bit of snow on the ice make travel there not recommended. Fishermen are reaching productive areas in the Snake with ATV's from Cable Hill and Snake Boat ramp accesses.
Maybe a Fuzzy Duzzit?
http://www.muskyshop.com/modules/cart/products.php/nav_id/7/page/1/id/1014/name/ShumwayFuzzyDuzzit7 (http://www.muskyshop.com/modules/cart/products.php/nav_id/7/page/1/id/1014/name/ShumwayFuzzyDuzzit7)
I've got one in my tackle box, but did not break it out when I fished with you a year ago last fall.
Daryl B.
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I keep waiting to hear of someone figuring out a good artificial bait to imitate a 5"-6" alewife. Perhaps a large chrome jigging spoon or blade... Could be a fun pattern for pike. Anybody with an idea??
Not sure through the ice, Daryl had a good suggestion...maybe a white jig rap or alewife chubby?
http://www.fleetfarm.com/detail/Lindy-Darter---Alewife/0000000056997?utm_source=googleps&utm_medium=shopping%2Bsearch&utm_campaign=google%2Bproduct%20search&gslfah&gclid=CJrN8LSJuLwCFdHm7AodlyQAAQ
Here are a couple that work well in open water...usually just after ice-out
(http://i1310.photobucket.com/albums/s644/trevor464/alewife2_zps4fdd1f69.jpg) (http://s1310.photobucket.com/user/trevor464/media/alewife2_zps4fdd1f69.jpg.html)
(http://i1310.photobucket.com/albums/s644/trevor464/alewife1_zps1c736477.jpg) (http://s1310.photobucket.com/user/trevor464/media/alewife1_zps1c736477.jpg.html)
(http://i1310.photobucket.com/albums/s644/trevor464/alewife3_zps42c9f0d7.jpg) (http://s1310.photobucket.com/user/trevor464/media/alewife3_zps42c9f0d7.jpg.html)
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Im working on manufacturing cranks and jiggin raps that resemble an alewife to the teeee, stay tuned
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Some good suggestions and a soon to be unveiled mystery bait. The plot thickens. Will these guys or anyone else have a chance to field test these suggested pike jiggers before ice out? Grizzlyhackles wet fly offerings would certainly do the trick after ice out. If anyone gets on to something let me know.
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We finally had a weekend where winds didn't gust and a fair number of folks were able to hit the ice. The fringes of another winter storm deposited 2-3 inches of snow and brought some pretty chilly temps. Most reports I got indicated fishing success somewhere between slow and fair. Pike fishermen reported quite a few flags up on Boardman Creek but had some difficulty hooking their bites. Biggest pike was reported at 38.5" and released. The same angler did keep 3 others from 27-34 inches. Some were able to get on a panfish bite icing a mixed bag of crappies (avg. 11") and perch (avg. 3/4 #). My guess is a more stable weather pattern would have improved the activity level.
We have had good ice in the Snake and Boardman arms that has thickened considerably in the past 10 days. Even with warm temperatures starting tomorrow we should still have good ice for some time to come barring more exceptionally strong winds. This would be a good time to plan a late season sandhills expedition.
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Great update as always, thanks John. Hopefully be up that way in couple weeks! :tipup:
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The flasher was lit up all day long, never had the lake fish that well, pull one slab out and 3 more were waiting.
fish were finicky, par for merritt, but once we figured out size, and presentation, the slabs started hitting the hard deck.
Fished so good, didnt even have time to hit the walleye spots.
Sunday was a completly different scenerio with the cold weather.
Fished the snake in 30 to 35 fow.......no flasher......no fish
(http://i1232.photobucket.com/albums/ff364/antfish109/Mobile%20Uploads/20140209_111807_zps329aaee6.jpg) (http://s1232.photobucket.com/user/antfish109/media/Mobile%20Uploads/20140209_111807_zps329aaee6.jpg.html)
(http://i1232.photobucket.com/albums/ff364/antfish109/Mobile%20Uploads/20140209_101526_zpsa83b9b92.jpg) (http://s1232.photobucket.com/user/antfish109/media/Mobile%20Uploads/20140209_101526_zpsa83b9b92.jpg.html)
(http://i1232.photobucket.com/albums/ff364/antfish109/Mobile%20Uploads/20140208_160956_zps93a2db4f.jpg) (http://s1232.photobucket.com/user/antfish109/media/Mobile%20Uploads/20140208_160956_zps93a2db4f.jpg.html)
(http://i1232.photobucket.com/albums/ff364/antfish109/Mobile%20Uploads/20140208_162711_zpsf98b37d2.jpg) (http://s1232.photobucket.com/user/antfish109/media/Mobile%20Uploads/20140208_162711_zpsf98b37d2.jpg.html)
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Thanks and nice work!! Looks fun
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Well done swamp donkey. I ve been wanting to get up there badly. If you aren't on the otter pro staff you are certainly angling for it. Your otter always seems to find its way into the background. :)
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Amazing. Great job on the slabs guys!!
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Nice fly tying skillz grizz....my cousin was catchin northerns on a pattern similar to that last spring at merritt
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Great bunch of crappies, bet it was fun catching them.
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6 of us fished boardman Sunday. Never marked a fish. Had a couple false flags, but one good one.
(http://i270.photobucket.com/albums/jj85/jthod/Ice%20fishing/valentine%202-7-14/IMAG1358_zpsd167ff19.jpg) (http://s270.photobucket.com/user/jthod/media/Ice%20fishing/valentine%202-7-14/IMAG1358_zpsd167ff19.jpg.html)
Went 35.5" a little over 11 lbs.
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Nice fly tying skillz grizz....my cousin was catchin northerns on a pattern similar to that last spring at merritt
Thanks man!
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Now that's a pile of slabs! Good job swampdonkey! I need to make it up there.
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Nice to see a good report taking the rig that way this weekend.
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With all the reports and pictures I thought I should get back on the ice. Joining some friends around 12:30 PM yesterday I found it was a morning bite and I should have been there sooner. My friend Ron arrived first and couldn't even get 4 poles down. After a few nice crappies and some tangled tackle his bite quit before I got there. Clouds moved in and the wind kicked up as we progressed through a slow afternoon. In total we iced 7 crappies, 4 perch, and 2 rock bass. The most excitement occurred mid afternoon when Ron hooked a muskie I guesstimate about 36". After a pretty long battle that got up to the hole 3 times the fish hung up in some cover and broke the 4# line. Our weather is forecast to be much more enjoyable than the sub-arctic winds and temps we have been having. Might be a great time to bring your Valentine fishing!
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Fished Boardman sat. 1 big pike. Three cleaners one dink. All fish cleaned were full of alewives. Sunday. Buddies reports was OK fishing . Pike had mainly mostly digested alewives. Wed evening few pike, small, empty. This afternoon , three groups, one group skunk! Two groups few fish, small, empty! My guess is alewife have moved and big fish with them. Bring a bright idea maybe a vex and plenty of gas. Find bait fish have fun and call me if you find em!!!
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Some pretty good reports coming in from Anglers fishing the Snake for crappies and Boardman Creek for pike. One group of 3 reported iceing about 75 crappies during the days fishing. Most were in the 10" range with a few up to 12". Pike are still taking live chubs under tip ups in the back reaches of Boardman Creek. Fish up to 37" were reported.
Despite some warm weather and windy conditions I have heard of no bad ice conditions in the arms (Boardman & Snake) with 18-20 inches of ice. Large patches of open water have appeared on the main lake near Willow Cove. Travel on the Main lake area is questionable at best.
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Got reports from anglers on the Snake and Boardman arms. One party in the Snake brought out a nice batch of crappies with a few perch mixed in along with a 17# catfish. Others reported similar results.
Some action also in Boardman Creek. Crappies and a few perch were iced near Beeds landing. I also viewed a cell phone video of a really fat 43.5" pike caught and released on tip ups and chubs. Those anglers declined to specify the location except to say it was from Merritt.
Anglers in the Snake mentioned that winds and warm temperatures reduced ice thickness from 18 to 14 inches and it was honey combing. Ice in Boardman Creek was also starting to thin somewhat but was remaining hard so far. Open water areas on the main lake continue to expand.
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Thanks for the update John - I pray baby jesus leaves us with some decent ice this coming weekend.
Planning on heading up Thurs night so I may stop into the Post Fri or Sat. :tipup:
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I hope the ice holds up for us too. Boardman Creek will open up last.
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Dear baby Jesus. PUH-LEAZE! One more weekend. Or two! There ya go grizz! I did my part. Up to baby Jesus now. Ice going fast. I'm sure John will keep everyone abreast of the conditions.
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I was up there this weekend fished sat. And Sunday morning until noon. They were not on fire but you could nickel and dime a limit out. Fish were hugging the bottom in thirty foot of water.
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We are all hoping for at least one more weekend on the boardman as well. So far no access problems but the sun and wind are beating up the ice. Some anglers fishing the Powderhorn arm reported soft ice near Hidden Lake and said they may not go back. I'm seeing areas of open water near the resort (Main Lake) expand daily.
Big pike continue to take chubs under tip-ups near the Boardman Springs campground access.
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Dear baby Jesus. PUH-LEAZE! One more weekend. Or two! There ya go grizz! I did my part. Up to baby Jesus now. Ice going fast. I'm sure John will keep everyone abreast of the conditions.
(http://i1310.photobucket.com/albums/s644/trevor464/shakenbake_zps62e2b521.png) (http://s1310.photobucket.com/user/trevor464/media/shakenbake_zps62e2b521.png.html)
Thanks hardh2ofish!
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The Merritt Trading Post will be closed this weekend Saturday through Tuesday.
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Fished boardman today. The bay north of the narrows to the corner of beeds. Slow bite today. Two pike 27" one bass 3lb. Ice conditions ok. 12". Pretty much all over. Slight crust from the rain and snow wed evening. Slightly starting to honeycomb but today was firm. Top half cloudy. Reasonably clear on bottom. Edges going away. One good step out to get on some places. Looked in the parking lot before going up trail road to north bay. Access good at the ramp area. South camping ring area may take a couple steps. I say the ice was firm but I'm not giving anyone an excuse to not pay damn good attention or to not be careful. This is the first year I've spent this much time in the boardman area. I do not know all its quirks yet. BE CAREFULL! Oh yeah have fun catch some fish if you make it out.
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Hi, anyone have any fresh reports on the ice conditions and fishing at Merritt? Thanks
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Don't know much newer than I fished boardman last Friday as previously mentioned. Viasandhillgill caught a whopper of a muskie on Sunday. Maybe Mr merrit will get on soon as he gets back from Colorado and learns what's up since he's been gone. Other than that I haven't heard anything. What are you after icehutt?
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Thanks hardh2ofish,
At this point I would be happy catching bait minnows! ;D I haven't had a chance to do any hardwater time since 2-8-14. :( I woul like to tie into a few northern pike though. Have you heard what area they are catching them at now on merritt? Thanks. :)
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What for bait? Or where? Best bait seems to be live bait. I like big creek chubs. Sweezys outdoors and merrit trading post have both had sucker chubs. A little small for my taste but I've seen some nice fish caught on them. Not sure what either will have on hand for this weekend. I could check for you. I'd bring my own if you could find big ones and keep them alive.
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Sweeys suppose to have chubs in Friday. Thats what I caught my muskie on. Ice was about 14 inches but there was open water in the area too. It helps to know the area you are fishing. This snow we are getting dosn't help. Don't plan on going again until it warms up alittle going to be real cold this week end single digit highs. Be careful.
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Latest report said about 12" in Boardman. Should be pretty firm but don't take anything for granted. Some snow on top of the ice makes thin spots hard to see. No reports on Snake but I would be extremely wary there. Main lake has lots of open water patches. Travel on main lake not advised.
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The big pike anglers have been catching in the back of Boardman Creek on Merritt have been full of 4"-6" alewives. Judging by their excellent condition (34" fish weighing about 11#'s) I'd say they are feeding very well. I know of two massive pike of over 43" taken this winter.
Reports of a foot of ice with the top 6" white, the bottom 6" clear and the very cold forecast suggest fishable conditions through next weekend in Boardman Creek. Those wanting a last hurrah on Nebraska ice should make plans now. Don't forget to bring late ice safety equipment (picks, ropes, lifejackets etc.) and use common sense in the late winter conditions.
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Merritt reports after this last cold weekend? Just curious how things are holding up with the ice and the fishing. Thanks
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I had one group out fishing this weekend. They reported about 12" of ice in Boardman Creek, 6" white on top and 6" clearer on the bottom. They managed a couple of pike in the 30" range, a nice channel cat, and a scant handful of panfish. They were newbies to Merritt so they did struggle. Bitterly cold conditions did not encourage them to move around much either.
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Thanks for the report, John. :)
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Hey John its Tyler, was hopin to get back up that way and try my luck at more fishing before ice out this year but looks like work isnt going to permit such playtime. Bummer. Lol at least i know where not to drive now though..... Especially with a big suv and trailer.... Lol idiot here....... But anyways i happened to see in a thread i was reading that you are rather fond of smallmouth... Ive got a little exciting opportunity for you if you have a day to spend away from the Trading Post, and its not much of a trip at all. :) Ill give you a ring soon.
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Thanks for the shout out Tyler. Getting out of here is seldom easy but I am interested. Talk to you soon.
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Hank and I fished the back of the Boardman today. Ice was 17". Major snow melt today. Ice won't last long with these temps. Hanks buddy managed an super fat 35" pike that weighed 14#. Found a tree that was holding small gills and a few small perch. No flags at all past ten am this morning. No live bait though. Still, the weather was amazing and met some great people today. Never a bad day when your fishing!
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Yep by far the most beautiful day on the ice this year, too bad the catching wasn't as great as the day. Got my friend interested in IS hope he shows up and joins. Hinted to him about lurkers :-\. Anyway great day with friends and new acquaintances.
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Congratulations on your buddy getting his huge pike, Hank. Glad you guys could get in on that, those pike are just hog fat this year. :tipup:
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I had 2 anglers that stayed with me report some panfish action downstream from Beeds on the South East side. They caught a half dozen each crappies and perch. They also reported about 14" of ice there. Said the ice was ok but lots of melt water on top. Thanks to all who reported above.