That infamous perch lake up Poudre canyon

[kpetro]

Hey all!  I'm pondering a trip up to, you know, that lake.  Has anyone been up there and know if the ice is safe yet?  This recent warm weather's got me a little worried.  Thanks in advance!

[SLAYERFISH]

I'm usually there 3-4 times by now. but not this year. Im sure you can find safe ice near the inlet end.  By the dam its prolly dicey. but I don't know 

go and then we'll all know!  I know I'm getting close to going Im needing a Perch fix!  Prolly tuesday or wednesday

[kpetro]

Haha.  It's a little troubling when Mr. Thicka Fuggin' Nuff uses the word dicey!  We may head there anyway, or come up with a backup plan.  There's always lakers...

[SLAYERFISH]

Haha.  It's a little troubling when Mr. Thicka Fuggin' Nuff uses the word dicey!  We may head there anyway, or come up with a backup plan.  There's always lakers...

Like I said Im sure it'll be Thickafugginuff near the inlet!

Lakers-Ugh

[Shoe]

I bet there is enough ice by the isla and inlet like Slayer said.  A little hike around the sketchy dam area.  I was there 13 days ago and it was 60% open water all over the place - even the inlet.  A day after that it got cold and has been cold enough.  I would go but have my sights a little further out.  Maybe later this week.

s

[ChanChito]

3 inches in front of the dam. I didn't fish it that is still too sketchy in front of the dam for me.

[Bigassbassman]

Two words: methane pockets
 

[SLAYERFISH]

Like these?

[Bigassbassman]

Yup 

[SLAYERFISH]

3 inches in front of the dam. I didn't fish it that is still too sketchy in front of the dam for me.

Thx for the info Mr. Chan!

[JohnnyO19]

Like these?

(Image removed from quote.)

Surprised you weren't spearing in that thing! 

[Shoe]

Went there today.  Made the crossing that minimized the up/down hiking.  Got 20 perch in 45 min.  Probably caught 50 before noon and then left.

The crossing looking back.


Biggish perch, about 9"


Limit


Get em while you can....

s

[JohnnyO19]

Nice Shoe!

Are they back to "free" winter days, or is it still 7 bucks a car??

[Shoe]

$7 per car per day.  I wanted an annual, but they've gone to permanent windshield stickers.  Hate those.  So, I passed on that.  About 7" ice where I fished.

s

[SLAYERFISH]

Sweet Tacos!

[Bigassbassman]

Nice!  That’s a good pile of meat, but it’s a lot of filleting for those little guys.  I did it last year, and I’ll prolly do it again soon.

[SLAYERFISH]

We should have a CF perchfest at said lake.

[Shoe]

Nice!  That’s a good pile of meat, but it’s a lot of filleting for those little guys.  I did it last year, and I’ll prolly do it again soon.

You are so right Nate.  It was about 40 minutes of filleting that I will never get back.  Wife and I had perch tacos for dinner tonight.  They were tasty but only about 2 meals for us in that pile.  Also, on the plus side...they are fun to catch...tested a new fish finder and pencil weight...and I got some exercise.

s

[4°Fahrenheit]

Nice!

We hit that place religiously going to school in the early 90's. As fishery students we thought the next state record was in there.  We never had a meat count like that but I think our fish were bigger.  But memory has a funny way of doing that.

[JohnnyO19]

Nice!

We hit that place religiously going to school in the early 90's. As fishery students we thought the next state record was in there.  We never had a meat count like that but I think our fish were bigger.  But memory has a funny way of doing that.

Fahrenheit, you are absolutely correct. There was a time when 11 inchers were the norm, & you would always get a few much larger. It's never been the same, since they drained it. (In the early 2000's I believe). Never understood why, you would think it has had enough time to recover.

[Bigassbassman]

It needs walleye and smallies…that would help.  And be fun. 

[SLAYERFISH]

Sunday and MLK day look excellent weather-wise! Maybe hike to the back side and catch some larger ones?

[Bigassbassman]

I could prob do either day.  Monday looks warmer!   

[SLAYERFISH]

Cool. Tentatively Monday. Anyone else care to go thin the herd?  The occasional brown is always a plus.

[Crazy Tom]

Long ways and a long walk for 5” perch

[SLAYERFISH]

Long ways and a long walk for 5” perch

Lots closer than boysen or Keyhole, plus get some exercise.  You should try it-

[Crazy Tom]

I get all the exercise I need walking 18 holes three times a week 👍 no need wasting calories on sub par perch lol

[JohnnyO19]

Cool. Tentatively Monday. Anyone else care to go thin the herd?  The occasional brown is always a plus.

I might be up for a Monday hike. I'll let you know this weekend