IceShanty.com's Ice Fishing Community
Montana => Ice Fishing Montana => Topic started by: mtgrant on Jan 11, 2020, 12:54 PM
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Hyalite Lake has been fishing well. Not seeing many fishermen. 12-16 inches of ice. Wet on the surface during warmer days. Maybe a foot of snow. The paths are packed down. Brookies are bigger this year. If you are patient, 20 inch cutties will show up. Some days you need to jig, others a dead stick is important. Usually I fish off the bottom but the other day the fish were closer to the surface. Mix it up and search for the fish. Shallow is best for Brooks. Cuts seem to be deeper. Worms, maggots, wax worms, and meal worms are the ticket.
(https://i.postimg.cc/wyKx6jrT/IMG-2914.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/wyKx6jrT)
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Is there anywhere you DIDNT post this?
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Hyalite Lake has been fishing well. Not seeing many fishermen.
That's more than likely gonna change in the very near future !!
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(https://i.postimg.cc/Y0v60XhR/3-C2-BEABB-AEF1-485-A-9-C6-A-BEDD930-CA9-A1.jpg)
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glad you had a good day out...remember there is a report and conditions page on this site....so..if you choose to share..that page is probally more appropriate than the general feed...personally if I was one of the very few people you saw on the ice..i would have much harsher words...once again..glad you had a good day....but if you feel the need to "share"..kick that spiel to the reports and conditions page....telling friends and neighbors is one thing...broadcasting it on an open forum?...think about it...how sad would you be if the parking lot was full and your fishing experience was compromised from what you posted.....
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It is helpful to post ice conditions and road reports. It can help people be safe. But when you report how great a place is, all it does is put so much pressure on an area it ruins it. A few years ago reports and newspaper articles about how good Holter Lake ice fishing for perch was, it ruined it. Within a couple weeks there were hundreds of people fishing and you could not even find a place to park. Think about what you are doing with your articles and reports. Alan, Belgrade
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AMEN....whitetail....w ell said...
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MtGrant: Glad you caught some fish and that's what this site is for to give out information!! So don't worry about it.. Its just sad that others stay so tight lipped that they wouldn't even tell you were a fire extinguisher was even if you were on fire.. Very Sad!!
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WOW I do believe that your elk hunting spot is public so fill free to share this location? Conservation is a privilege we live to enjoy so bragging is salt in your own wounds you make. Fish on!!!
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Crazy Mnts are great for elk hunting!!
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Pretty sure eyou can help people all day long without blowing up a spot. How bout some coordinates elkhunter?
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you are missing the point elkhunter….to insinuate that tight lipped people wouldn't tell you where the fire extinguisher is totally ludicrous...most likely..the firstones to help one out...elk hunter? what is wrong with keeping a few fishing spots to oneself?...once again...that's way off base.very sad? think about it....
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It is fine to help others. Even strangers. I have been helping people for more than 60 years. But use some common sense. Send them a pm or even get their phone number and call them. Reports like this is just like saying "Everything is Free' in a certain store. Stampede time, right? I have seen so many resources ruined by this. Alan Belgrade
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Weird... I let a gal (whom I've never met) use my fish finder and rod yesterday for over an hour. She caught here first two smallmouth bass / first ice fish ever and I didn't compromise anyone else's fishing experience. It's so simple.
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sounds like whitetail is in the area...and has a vested interest in one of his spots getting blown up....lets all chill out....and be respectful of the bodies of water we fish....damn straight...I would be pissed off if I was one of the only person on the ice..and came back home..and somebody blasted how good the fishing was..its really pretty simple..simple and simple...STFU.....fish and fish....and ….fish some more
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Missoulafish. Now we know you have two weaknesses. One, a weakness for big fish.(which we already knew)Now two, a weakness for pretty girls on ice!
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Oh the Crane has many weaknesses. 😂
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We have the same problem in New York. When the bite is on, a couple of individuals like to blab about it on the shanty. Next thing you know, everybody and their brother is out there fishing all because a couple of jackoffs can't keep there mouths shut.
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when a dude in new York tells you to keep tight lipped..maybe you should understand what he's saying...
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http://www.montanaoutdoor.com/2020/01/hyalite-lake-report-2/
I don’t foresee MTGrant changing his ways.
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He posted that story everywhere he possibly could.... All about the likes ...
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;D ;D What is REALLY funny is if all those fish were actually caught at an unnamed lake being kept secret and that Hyalite is just a decoy. ;D ;D ;D
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;D ;D
What is REALLY funny is if all those fish were actually caught at an unnamed lake being kept secret and that Hyalite is just a decoy. ;D ;D ;D
Oldest trick in the book! ;)
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It’s not about just bein out doin what you love to do anymore....I personally could care less about catchin a fish or shootin anything I just like to be out doin what I was raised to do.... it’s all about how badass you can make yourself on social media... that’s it... that mtgrantfishing.com is a bunch of bull... go back to the Midwest grant
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.... it’s all about how badass you can make yourself on social media... that’s it...
Spot on
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Exactly....
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I think he caught tgose at lake Como ,now there is a great fishery
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Missoula Fish: That exactly what I was talking about. I can tell you a lake is hot or there are a lot of elk where I hunt but you have to find the spot on the lake or Mtn where their at. Think about it. I guess I give up.. Don't know why folks are even on this site if there not here to give or get information.. Think i'll just go fishing!! ;) Sorry to hit a sore nerve with all of you as that wasn't the intent...
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Elkhunter- I get what your saying. But when you take the variability of having to finding fish out of the equation, so no one has to do any work, what are we left with? Everyone acts like giving and getting information has to be done publicly. Can it be done publicly? Sure! Should it be? How many people do you want stumbling into you when youre set up on a bull?
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I get it sorry.. :'( :'(
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Interesting thread. I would rather hike, ski, or take horses to inaccessible areas to fly fish, hunt, or icefish to avoid people. It always amazes me how people just want to catch or shoot the big one.
There is great satisfaction in fair chase in remote areas. It’s all about the experience, nature, and meat in the freezer.
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Catch fish, not feelings!!!
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Is there anywhere you DIDNT post this?
My thoughts too. I'm getting real sick of seeing this pop up everywhere with the first words being the lake. Someone now doesn't even have to read the article to get the info they need. And its pretty much the closest lake to one of the biggest metro areas in Mt. It doesn't need any help getting more popular. I have seen more people up there now than in years past, and I get that its a big lake but come on man, if everybody starts hammering limits out of there things are going to change fast.
This crap will now come up forever when someone googles "Hyalite icefishing". Ten years from now its still going to be hotspotted. Everybody in the county already knows about icefishing there, but now they don't have to go take the time to go make their own reports. Everybody wants something for free.
Our version of your favorite realtor Mfish.
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This crap will now come up forever when someone googles "Hyalite icefishing".
Exactly !!
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So if we can't promote fishing at Hyalite, where can we promote it? We already agree it is heavily developed and within a short distance of a large percentage of Montanans. Can you actually "hot spot" a place like Hyalite? My own feeling is if you can watch your tipups from the public crapter, it's not a secret honey hole.
As far as I can tell, MT Grant's actual job is to publish outdoor stories and encourage people to go fish. I don't read minds, but my guess is he's aware of "hot spotting", but probably couldn't imagine anyone applying the term to Hyalite.
If people aren't using the lake to fish, fishing has less support when it comes to outdoor recreation planning and funding.
Don't want more people fishing there? Fine. But don't complain when the FS prioritizes some crazy bullcrap like "ice biking" over ice fishing because it has more user support.
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you know I am torn on all this. I like to give reports, on the reports and conditions pages. Always try to prioritize the ice conditions etc as much or more the fish and how n what I caught them on. I do understand pressure on fisheries can end up ruining them for everyone. Not everyone catches and releases, or at least only keep a few. I still like to hear where and on what people were catching them on and like to report my adventure as well. Sad that it only takes a few to ruin it for everyone though and when mass idiots show up it is never a good thing. I really am torn on this subject. Don't need or want to brag but do like posting what I caught and where. It helps me and hopefully helps some other respectful fishermen/and women. Now if I see you being an ass out on the ice or leaving trash or something like that well..... I'm 6'2" 275lbs of mean double awnry Idaho redneck so you best just stand the hell back lest you become bait. Anyways Have Fun be Respectful, try not to spoil a good thing.
Fish On and Tight Lines.
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Should have been posted on the reports and conditions page
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So if we can't promote fishing at Hyalite, where can we promote it? We already agree it is heavily developed and within a short distance of a large percentage of Montanans. Can you actually "hot spot" a place like Hyalite? My own feeling is if you can watch your tipups from the public crapter, it's not a secret honey hole.
As far as I can tell, MT Grant's actual job is to publish outdoor stories and encourage people to go fish. I don't read minds, but my guess is he's aware of "hot spotting", but probably couldn't imagine anyone applying the term to Hyalite.
If people aren't using the lake to fish, fishing has less support when it comes to outdoor recreation planning and funding.
Don't want more people fishing there? Fine. But don't complain when the FS prioritizes some crazy bullcrap like "ice biking" over ice fishing because it has more user support.
good point. any lake gets hot one day and slow the next. a list of hot lakes is not hard to come by either. lets try and get a grip. either this site is to help others and share or it isn't. but those who think it shouldn't be should look at why they are here at all. trying to be internet bad asses I suppose.
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I don't think caring about the well being of a fishery by advocating some use of restraint and common sense on a fishing forum is being an "Internet Badass"...IMO
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(https://i.postimg.cc/63CM68Wg/ezgif-com-video-to-gif-1.gif) (https://postimages.org/)
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Yup but you can fish with the Pautzke Bait guys and blast Georgetown to their 25k YouTube subscribers and it's fine but God forbid boomer post a video, or MTGrant say Hyalite is hot
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Georgetown is the most heavily fished and stocked lake in lake in MT. You'll also notice all the info I've contributed for that lake and only that lake on its report thread :) if you think me talking about the most popular lake in Montana is the same as hotspotting everyplace I go like the guys you mentioned... Then we will never agree.
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Yup but you can fish with the Pautzke Bait guys and blast Georgetown to their 25k YouTube subscribers and it's fine but God forbid boomer post a video, or MTGrant say Hyalite is hot
Everybody and their dog knows about G-town.
Kim can blast Tiber or Peck all she wants, she fishes them hard and knows her stuff. Plus pressure on either of those lakes could increase tenfold and you still wouldn't have to be within 400 yards of another fisherman on them. And they take a little more experience, resources and gear to fish safely and successfully. Apples to oranges comparing a small mountain lake near a big city and a body of water with more miles of shoreline than the California coast located in the frozen tundra that can eat your lunch.
It won't change how I fish but it does make me cringe a little to see a good thing get blasted. Just my 2 cents.
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Hell creek marina just posted on Facebook. They are getting pike on smelt on Boy Scout point in the bay. If u can’t handle the competition. Do something different. No one hates an ice fisherman more than an ice fisherman
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Hell creek marina just posted on Facebook. They are getting pike on smelt on Boy Scout point in the bay. If u can’t handle the competition. Do something different. No one hates an ice fisherman more than an ice fisherman
I think you, me, and hell creek marina know it’s not as simple as throwing a smelt on a tip up in the bay.
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This mt. Grant guy has been
Posting like crazy about hyalite this season, must have moved to bozangeles recently. The parking lot with roughly 100 spots has been completely full nearly 7 days a week. I’m sure it’s just a coincidence.
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Hot spot Fort Peck all you want.
I have fished it for 27 years and it changes every year,
The pro fisherman are there every year and the amount of people hasn't changed.
It's not a lake for everyone It's big ,spread out and you better be prepared.
I have taken people with me that wont go back, to hard.
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In my opinion, that will never change, a lot of this information on these hunting and fishing sites isn’t even fair chase. Same as getting on 2 way radios and broadcasting to your buddies where the elk herd is. just via a different medium. Think about it. These sites have ruined fisheries. Is that fair?
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Missoula favorite realtor claims it her right to do whatever she wants with public lands... Imagine if everyone felt that way. Adios public lands....
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If you are upset about a post hotspotting, dont reply to that post.
If you care that someone is doing it for the likes, offer them a polite private message about how the forum functions as a community.
If you upset out how many people are fishing by you, go further.
If you care about your fisheries, be active with local fish and game.
IceShanty is an awesome place that has been a big part of my love for ice fishing. I have learned so much about ice safety, ice gear, fish habits, biology, fishing tips, and countless other topics. I have had people offer me extra ice gear just because they wanted to.
I have learned the ice conditions or suggestions on places to go for different things. Sometimes for where the fish are biting, but mostly i look for where i will be alone or only a few other fisherman. And the other men and women who go out to those places quite often end up being really great people.
And hot spotting wont happen any worse at Hyalite than the exgra traffic it will get anyway from the city's growth. It gets cold, windy, and snowy up hyalite just like anywhere else. But most importantly, fishing conditions change. Only they hidden secrets or the tough to get to places are always hot. Anywhere else will vary. People may go to Hyalite because of this post but if they don't have the same experience they are hoping for they probably won't keep going back. Ice fishing isn't for everyone. The more people who support the industry, the more resources for fisheries.
Mtgrant is also no stranger to post about how his Hyalite fishing trip went. Most often in the reports and conditions page, but ive seen his post in Ice fishing Montana . He has always offered great, helpful, and informative posts about where he was, conditions, fishing, and what he used. I dont know they guy, but I have come to appreciate what he shares because it has been helpful to me. This post seemed similar to his others.
It seems people are fired up. Same time last year the threads turned sour. I dont know if its just a stressful time of year or if we havent done enough ice fishing lately. But a deep breathe and leading by example might be a better way to go.
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Meh, they're just fancy carp anyway.
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Meh, they're just fancy carp anyway.
Ill bet good money carp taste better :tipup:
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Meh, they're just fancy carp anyway.
Poor man's tuna
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Georgetown is the most heavily fished and stocked lake in lake in MT. You'll also notice all the info I've contributed for that lake and only that lake on its report thread :) if you think me talking about the most popular lake in Montana is the same as hotspotting everyplace I go like the guys you mentioned... Then we will never agree.
Hyalite Reservoir is 35 minutes outside Bozeman (with the Bozeman metro area holding 100,000+ people) and is extremely popular for local ice fisherman as it freezes early in the season (since it is in the mountains) and is full of small to medium trout. This spot gets tons of pressure but still retains tons of trout. Is it possible to hotspot an already hot spot? Is it possible to freeze water that's already completely frozen?
Georgetown in comparison is 35 minutes from Anaconda (which has just over 9,000 people living there) with the next closest place (1 hour away) being Butte (which has 35K people living there). So in comparison Georgetown is not AS near any big groups of people, especially when you look at its proximity to the Major cities in Montana (Billings, Missoula, Bozeman, Great Falls, Helena, etc). (Note: It is 1 1/2 hours from missoula, 2 1/2 hours from Bozeman)
That being said, Georgetown does get a lot of pressure, as it is well known what an incredible fishery it is. But how does a place kinda far away from the main cities of Montana get so much renown for its quality fishing? According to a handful of people in this forum, it is Youtube videos like this:
This whole forum thread is eerily similar to the hate I was getting last year for doing something similar, but the main difference is that I have listened to how upset it makes people, and have chosen to not name the "less popular" spots in my videos. If you have been fishing there before, you will recognize the spots I fish from my footage, but I am not blasting some fishing spot in the middle of nowhere anymore, as I can see why it upsets people. That being said, I don't think Hyalite fits into this category, because it is extremely popular and well known from Belgrade to Bozeman to Billings.
(and for those that don't know, that video features MissoulaFish, the user complaining about hotspotting in this post)
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Hyalite Reservoir is 35 minutes outside Bozeman (with the Bozeman metro area holding 100,000+ people) and is extremely popular for local ice fisherman as it freezes early in the season (since it is in the mountains) and is full of small to medium trout. This spot gets tons of pressure but still retains tons of trout. Is it possible to hotspot an already hot spot? Is it possible to freeze water that's already completely frozen?
Georgetown in comparison is 35 minutes from Anaconda (which has just over 9,000 people living there) with the next closest place (1 hour away) being Butte (which has 35K people living there). So in comparison Georgetown is not AS near any big groups of people, especially when you look at its proximity to the Major cities in Montana (Billings, Missoula, Bozeman, Great Falls, Helena, etc). (Note: It is 1 1/2 hours from missoula, 2 1/2 hours from Bozeman)
That being said, Georgetown does get a lot of pressure, as it is well known what an incredible fishery it is. But how does a place kinda far away from the main cities of Montana get so much renown for its quality fishing? According to a handful of people in this forum, it is Youtube videos like this
This whole forum thread is eerily similar to the hate I was getting last year for doing something similar, but the main difference is that I have listened to how upset it makes people, and have chosen to not name the "less popular" spots in my videos. If you have been fishing there before, you will recognize the spots I fish from my footage, but I am not blasting some fishing spot in the middle of nowhere anymore, as I can see why it upsets people. That being said, I don't think Hyalite fits into this category, because it is extremely popular and well known from Belgrade to Bozeman to Billings.
(and for those that don't know, that video features MissoulaFish, the user complaining about hotspotting in this post)
Just when I started to watch your videos again and notice how you've toned things down you go and make a post like this... :blink:
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Just when I started to watch your videos again and notice how you've toned things down you go and make a post like this... :blink:
I couldn't help but chime in on this one, I'm sorry, still working on my internet self control :P
That being said, my point is that you can't hotspot places like Hyalite, Georgetown, Fort Peck, etc because they are already hot spots.
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Jesus are you still trying to justify fishing for likes? Youre a real prize Paul:) if you hand gotten your balls busted by everyone you'd still be blowing up every single place you go. A video from the most popular ice fishing lake in MT doesn't even begin to compare to your ignorance buddy:)
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Jesus are you still trying to justify fishing for likes? Youre a real prize Paul:) if you hand gotten your balls busted by everyone you'd still be blowing up every single place you go. A video from the most popular ice fishing lake in MT doesn't even begin to compare to your ignorance buddy:)
Multiple people on these very forums sent me that video calling you a hypocrite bud, so maybe tone down the vitriol and not worry about how other people choose to spend their free time.
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Video is posted here, it's not a secret Cheif. Don't you have another lake to be blowing up;) gonna make a video at Frenchtown Pond too. Instead of running your face you should come volunteer.
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All i want to know is where i can buy fire corn???!!!
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sportsmans warehouse, bob wards, or order from pautzke
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It is pretty interesting on how some people on this site are almost trying to be the ring leaders and feel the need to assert some sort of common law on everyone. Hyalite is the busiest state park in all of montana. Where as Gtown sounds and looks like a place I would like to try now seeing that sweet youtube video. Like??? Posts?? I dont care to keep track of either but it seems that some folks on here get a feeling of importance with the amount of Likes oh I mean posts they can rack up. Seriously its ice fishing .....Drill a hole drink a beer and go fishing for god sakes. The hole state has been "hot spotted" if you think hyalite needs protected or any other lake than why not close the reports page where you can easily see how any lake is fishing! Hot spotting or showing off hundreds of pictures of yourself on this site is all the same to me nor do I care. Just go fish and relax everyone and focus on the bigger picture HAVING FUN!!!!
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Just go fish and relax everyone and focus on the bigger picture HAVING FUN!!!!
How dare you! Fishing is NOT about fun or relaxing. It is about spouting opinions on the internet ;D
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;)
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B.S. in one hand and Wish in the other and see what one fill faster. 😂😂😂😂👍
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Jesus are you still trying to justify fishing for likes? Youre a real prize Paul:) if you hand gotten your balls busted by everyone you'd still be blowing up every single place you go. A video from the most popular ice fishing lake in MT doesn't even begin to compare to your ignorance buddy:)
Not much has changed. He just shoots drone footage farther East. He should change his signature to “Will travel to hotspot”.
TRR doesn’t need any more publicity. The fishing has exponentially declined as a direct result of over harvest.
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Not much has changed. He just shoots drone footage farther East. He should change his signature to “Will travel to hotspot”.
TRR doesn’t need any more publicity. The fishing has exponentially declined as a direct result of over harvest.
Good one ::) TRR is one of the most popular spots in our area for ice fishing. I am pretty sure the TRR Marina Facebook page drives more traffic out there in a week than any little video I have ever made. Good for them too, because it is nice to have a shop open with supplies and minnows right there with enough customers to keep them going. If you really believe TRR is over harvested talk to FWP.
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So the fishing is good at Hyalite, I better get there!!!
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Meh, never mind I just watched a video about Green Bay Giant walleye, I’m going there instead!!
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GIRLS,,, GIRLS,,, take a breath,, R E L A X !!
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I stopped fishing hyalite before they started plowing the road beyond lower fishing access, no crowds, in fact almost no one there most days. I don’t have any videos or oodles of posts but I would like to through my weiner in the ring, I think it’s the biggest ;D
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Well, only one thing left to do...start hot spotting every single lake out there. Isn't that the main goal? To get more people fishing and grow the sport? Can't wait for the hypocrites to respond with another 3 pages of pissing and moaning.
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Well, only one thing left to do...start hot spotting every single lake out there. Isn't that the main goal? To get more people fishing and grow the sport? Can't wait for the hypocrites to respond with another 3 pages of pissing and moaning.
this....this is the truth. people complain about not enough sportsman and younger people in the crowd then if you say "hey did great at this body of water of the weekend" your a bad person and hot spot creator.....sorry its public land for a reason...public open to all....not some or the chosen "been ice fishing since i was born" crowd.
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I’m so confused, just watched that Georgetown lake video, thanks mfish, I think I’ll go there instead now!!! Too many lakes being hot spotted to choose from. Being pulled in so many different directions. What shall I do??
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What shall I do??
I’d start with deleting your burner account.
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Mt. Fwp teaches you if lost or confused. 🛑 build a 🔥. And wait for help or tell you figure things out. Gd luck.
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Longtime ice fisherman but new to this particular board. I just wanted to comment on what my initial thoughts from the posts I've read 1. Don't post anything about anywhere that is good fishing because that's hot spotting 2. Don't post techniques because that's giving away secrets 3. stay the hell out of MY fishing spots and 4. recognize me for being the ice fishing genius that I am. Does that about sum it up? Only post about everything non ice fishing related because apparently that is all that is allowed. Seriously, some of you guys need to get over yourself, it's just friggin fishing.
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Longtime ice fisherman but new to this particular board. I just wanted to comment on what my initial thoughts from the posts I've read 1. Don't post anything about anywhere that is good fishing because that's hot spotting 2. Don't post techniques because that's giving away secrets 3. stay the hell out of MY fishing spots and 4. recognize me for being the ice fishing genius that I am. Does that about sum it up? Only post about everything non ice fishing related because apparently that is all that is allowed. Seriously, some of you guys need to get over yourself, it's just friggin fishing.
I think we have a winner for best first post of all time!! :)
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I'll stroke my own eagle thanks though
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One thing worth noting about area specific information. The reports and conditions page is only accessible to members with 1 post. By posting area specific information to the main boards the information is available to anybody willing to do a Google search. From the sounds of it that may be fine with plenty of folks, however the intent is that members contribute, and in turn are given access to otherwise unavailable information. There are decades worth of information in the current reports/conditions page and the archives. Food for thought, take it or leave it....maybe the Facebook pages are a more appropriate alternative for some folks that take issue with the sentiments of alot of members here.
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Here's another fine morning catch. The largest perch was 12.5" and the smallest ones were 9+". Caught very near to Missoula . . no B.S. For all the vultures wanting to know exactly where, here's a hint : fish close to 1100 Clark Fork Lane in Missoula. That's all the info I'll give.
(https://i.postimg.cc/rK3D2DP9/IMG-0809.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/rK3D2DP9)
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perch and a PBR!!!!!! how good is that!!!
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Here's another fine morning catch. The largest perch was 12.5" and the smallest ones were 9+". Caught very near to Missoula . . no B.S. For all the vultures wanting to know exactly where, here's a hint : fish close to 1100 Clark Fork Lane in Missoula. That's all the info I'll give.
(https://i.postimg.cc/rK3D2DP9/IMG-0809.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/rK3D2DP9)
Back in State College, PA, one of the most reliable spots to fish on Spring Creek is the sewage hole. Brown trout all the way!
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Belongs on this thread
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I absolutely love the video. It's so true. On a parallel note, for those of you who didn't get the humor and hint I provided in my previous post with a photo of my morning catch (1100 Clark Fork address as a great perch spot), it just so happens that the address is the sewage treatment plant in Missoula. I wonder how many vultures looked up the address on Google. I did notice a guy casting from shore (down stream from sewage plant) while crossing the Reserve St. bridge. Go figure.
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Hyalite is no secret, so no one should be too mad about someone talking about doing well there. No huge fish but always good numbers.
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Hyalite was Hotter! Fishing has slowed big time. The THICK slush, ice, and snow is sloppy. Walking is hard. Most folks are staying near the boat ramp. The fish are SLOW biters at best. Caught about 20 trout in 6 hours. Kept 5 nice Cuts and some 12-14 inch Brooks. Bitter cold and the hole froze up fast. Cutting the hole is hard. You need a full auger. The sloppy layers bind and hook the auger. Watch for the twist and torque. Avoid it by lifting the auger to clear the hole every few inches. If you don't know what a bite looks like, good luck. You get one tap and that's it. Spring bobbers are a must. Met a couple nice boys from MSU. It was their first time o the ice. Showed them the ropes.
(https://i.postimg.cc/F7C6V0Hw/ice-indicator.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/F7C6V0Hw)
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An interesting topic. A long time ago before the internet was a thing, there was the "Hunting and Fishing News". In the beginning I thought it was awesome! People talking about where the hot spots were! There were so many Great spots that were DESTROYED by all of that publicity. We started to learned in those days that maybe having your picture on the front page wasn't worth a great favorite place going down the tubes. The internet is exponentially more powerful! I try to be very careful about blowing up my favorite spots, and even so, still find myself unwittingly "letting the cat out of the bag" from time to time. Had to learn about that "location" setting on the phone. That damn thing labels everything with a really accurate location! I didn't even know it! For myself and my brother, we love our outdoor time. We approach it in a far more hardcore way than a lot of people do, and to a lot of people it must look like work. That means when we find a really good place we put a high value on it. When I see people asking where and how, I just laugh and ignore it. Maybe that makes me an A-hole; don't know and don't care. Sometimes a respectful and carefully worded P.M. will find me in a good mood and result in some useful information, but you can be assured that you ain't getting specific locations! Who knows I could even lead you in a different direction! Pictures of fish are taken by us because of the beauty of the fish. To me they are a marvelous creation. My wish is for everyone to find that beauty too, but I ain't holding your hand. The real sense of pride comes from doing myself. I wish more people were that way. I cringe when I see someone spouting off about a place I like to hunt or fish, but it's a free country. I just hope that like most things it will blow over and disappear. Usually it does, but occasionally that great place goes down to pressure. Too many people here now to prevent it. That's one reason that I rarely put pictures here now. I'd rather keep my places good than show the pictures. It used to be about sharing, but anymore it's more like a shark tank and I'm the bait fish.
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Couldn’t have said it better!
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fantastic words....maybe someday the younger generation will truly know the heart felt beauty of your words....I am hoping...but..by sharing..is so wonderful....thank you so much for your post..it hit home to me....
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Great post Steve!! Appreciate it!!
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:bow: :bow: couldn’t be more well stated.
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Everybody wants “free” crap these days. “Free” healthcare, “free” college, “free” fishing and hunting honey holes. The truth is you get exactly what you pay for and put into it. There’s nothing more gratifying than putting the work in and finding your own honey hole. The struggle is what makes success so sweet. People need to quit looking for shortcuts and put their own time in. Those who give away hot intel are just feeding into people’s impatience and need for instant gratification
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fantastic words....maybe someday the younger generation will truly know the heart felt beauty of your words....I am hoping...
Using your terminology, I don't know what constitutes the "younger generation" but I'm 31, and some of us are listening! I enjoy the trial and error; it makes the success that much sweeter...why spoil it with a crowd?
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There’s nothing more gratifying than putting the work in and finding your own honey hole. The struggle is what makes success so sweet.
I believe we shared the same wavelength there Pablito!
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Im on both sides of this argument.... 2 years ago i posted 2 small fish i caught on here from an incredibly common spot everyone knows of... The next day i showed up and there was 6 times the trucks as usual.... This year i posted a certain lake was one of my favorite panfish lakes... 2 weeks later the dnr report said the lake continued to see a larger than normal amount of angler pressure... I drove there a few days later and there were trucks from ohio indiana illinois and even a pennsylvania..... This lake is not nationally renowned ill tell you that... But i yearn to help other fishermen because i know the strugglenof getting your hopes up to come home empty handed... Ive fished 8 trips this year and on 1 trip brought home 7 keeper panfish.... Thats it.... That sucks..... I do t like feeling like that and im sure no one else does either..... I dont know what to say.... To each his own i suppose
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An interesting topic. A long time ago before the internet was a thing, there was the "Hunting and Fishing News". In the beginning I thought it was awesome! People talking about where the hot spots were! There were so many Great spots that were DESTROYED by all of that publicity. We started to learned in those days that maybe having your picture on the front page wasn't worth a great favorite place going down the tubes. The internet is exponentially more powerful! I try to be very careful about blowing up my favorite spots, and even so, still find myself unwittingly "letting the cat out of the bag" from time to time. Had to learn about that "location" setting on the phone. That damn thing labels everything with a really accurate location! I didn't even know it! For myself and my brother, we love our outdoor time. We approach it in a far more hardcore way than a lot of people do, and to a lot of people it must look like work. That means when we find a really good place we put a high value on it. When I see people asking where and how, I just laugh and ignore it. Maybe that makes me an A-hole; don't know and don't care. Sometimes a respectful and carefully worded P.M. will find me in a good mood and result in some useful information, but you can be assured that you ain't getting specific locations! Who knows I could even lead you in a different direction! Pictures of fish are taken by us because of the beauty of the fish. To me they are a marvelous creation. My wish is for everyone to find that beauty too, but I ain't holding your hand. The real sense of pride comes from doing myself. I wish more people were that way. I cringe when I see someone spouting off about a place I like to hunt or fish, but it's a free country. I just hope that like most things it will blow over and disappear. Usually it does, but occasionally that great place goes down to pressure. Too many people here now to prevent it. That's one reason that I rarely put pictures here now. I'd rather keep my places good than show the pictures. It used to be about sharing, but anymore it's more like a shark tank and I'm the bait fish.
Youtubers, tic tockers, and Facebook fishermen...please read these words and let them soak in. A well written and thoughtful response to this thread. Thanks for your contribution SRA61
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If you guys don't want attention drawn to hyalite/this post, stop commenting on it and let it die in the threads. However, glad to see hyalite is fishing well.
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It is helpful to post ice conditions and road reports. It can help people be safe. But when you report how great a place is, all it does is put so much pressure on an area it ruins it. A few years ago reports and newspaper articles about how good Holter Lake ice fishing for perch was, it ruined it. Within a couple weeks there were hundreds of people fishing and you could not even find a place to park. Think about what you are doing with your articles and reports. Alan, Belgrade
yep
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I remember when this site used to be about sharing information and helping each other out. Seems like every year it becomes less and less about fishing and more about policing what people should and shouldn’t post. I appreciate the select few who have shared info in the past.
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Just thank social media.....
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Do away with all of it. All social media and all hunting and fishing info sites. Go back to the way it used to be
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The truth is that 5 % of fishermen catch 90% of the fish. You can put some fishermen on the greatest Glory Hole their is and they will get skunked. Fishing sites and info. only lead a horse to the water but can't make them drink. On most of my fishing trips, I see very few other anglers catching anything. They may say different but their truth is not the reality. What I love most about ice fishing are the fishermen that I meet. Our group are the most helpful and friendly anglers of any other fishing group. There are few fishermen that always seem to be unsatisfied, and selfish. Oh well.
In the case of Hyalite, there are fewer fish because the state stocks way less. At one time they stocked 10,000 fry a year, usually in June. Now the number is down to less than 4,000. Check the stocking records. The Cuts are also reproducing as are the other species.
In a society where folks hoard, cheat, and can be selfish, its nice to be a part of a sport where most members share, teach, and celebrate the fellowship and sport.
I still read about the anglers that complain the road to Hyalite is plowed. In the old days, only anglers with snowmobiles could get there. Even when the road is plowed, the road is sketchy and 4wd is a must. Those without end up in the ditch.
Fishing is way different than catching. Often, just the hope of a positive fishing report is enough to enjoy the day. Not all fishermen need to catch a fish.
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There are no "glory holes" in Hyalite...move around until you find fish. Some days are great other days not so much - I don't think it has anything to do with being a better fisherman at Hyalite. Now CF or other bodies of water with more structure/different fish I would agree that you need to find the right spots.
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The truth is that 5 % of fishermen catch 90% of the fish. You can put some fishermen on the greatest Glory Hole their is and they will get skunked. Fishing sites and info. only lead a horse to the water but can't make them drink. On most of my fishing trips, I see very few other anglers catching anything. They may say different but their truth is not the reality. What I love most about ice fishing are the fishermen that I meet. Our group are the most helpful and friendly anglers of any other fishing group. There are few fishermen that always seem to be unsatisfied, and selfish. Oh well.
In the case of Hyalite, there are fewer fish because the state stocks way less. At one time they stocked 10,000 fry a year, usually in June. Now the number is down to less than 4,000. Check the stocking records. The Cuts are also reproducing as are the other species.
In a society where folks hoard, cheat, and can be selfish, its nice to be a part of a sport where most members share, teach, and celebrate the fellowship and sport.
I still read about the anglers that complain the road to Hyalite is plowed. In the old days, only anglers with snowmobiles could get there. Even when the road is plowed, the road is sketchy and 4wd is a must. Those without end up in the ditch.
Fishing is way different than catching. Often, just the hope of a positive fishing report is enough to enjoy the day. Not all fishermen need to catch a fish.
Love this take, we need more people with attitudes like this.
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:roflmao: :roflmao: :roflmao: :roflmao:
Love this take, we need more people with attitudes like this.