Noxon Res.

[riske]

How come you never here about Noxon? Doesn't anyone fish it?  Does it freeze up well?  I live over in Idaho and want to try some Montana ice this year but don't want to drive for 8 hours to fish and Noxon is just up the CF river from me.  Does the res ice up on the west end? Safely?

[shantybum]

We drove to Sandpoint on Sunday, and it looked like there was ice mostly covering the reservoir. Even in the wide areas. I don't know what the thickness is, but I know a fishing nut in Trout Creek that might have some answers. I'll call him tomorrow as I have the same questions you do. I'm glad that rain is over with now, what a mess!!!
Adam

[riske]

Thanks.  I live south of Sandpoint. I wanted to head over to Noxon this summer but never made it.  I hear it has some really nice Eyes in it.  LPO has eyes but good luck finding them through the ice.  It would sure be kinda nice if they would start showing up in the rest of the lakes around here.

Hows the drive over this time of year?

[Lamnidae]

If walleye start showing up everywhere west of the divide, I'll personally carry legislation to eradicate them.  Bucket biologists are the reason that half the lakes in western Montana already suck for fishing.  It's exactly why the Clearwater chain is full of small populations of diverse, but stunted species.

[MTviking]

If walleye start showing up everywhere west of the divide, I'll personally carry legislation to eradicate them.  Bucket biologists are the reason that half the lakes in western Montana already suck for fishing.  It's exactly why the Clearwater chain is full of small populations of diverse, but stunted species.

Well the biggest threat to the native fish is the Rainbow Trout.  They hybridize with the native cutthroats thus diluting the pure strain.  Cutthroats and Bull Trout generally do not share the same prefered aquatic habitat and I really think the threats Walleyes, Pike, Perch pose are really overblown.  They are a much bigger threat to the local sucker and squawfish populations than they are to trout with the possible exception of "planted hatchery trout" in the lakes. 

[riske]

I was not promoting bucket biology in any way.  I was just saying it wouldn't hurt my feelings.

But what do you mean west of the divide?

[Lamnidae]

Sorry for being grouchy in my previous post.  I'm touchy about bucket biology as I've watched seemingly every lake in western Montana either trashed by bucket biology or poor management decisions regarding introduction of exotic species.  I said west of the divide because there are no lakes in Montana as far as I know where walleye are a longstanding, natural feature.  I know they've been showing up in Noxon, but that's a result of illegal introduction.  I love walleye, and if I could magically trade walleye in the buckets of all the people who put pike in every lake within 180 miles of my house in the past few decades, I'd do it in a heartbeat.  As sportsmen, I think we really need to take a hard line on illegal introduction alltogether--even when the result may occasionally be favorable to us as individuals.

[shantybum]

 I haven't been able to get a hold of the guy about fishing near Trout Creek, he might be away for the Holidays or something. I will post on here when I do though. The drive over is just fine.
 I agree on the illegal introduction of fish to Montanas lakes, as I'm not a big fan of Pike. It sure seems like they have hurt the populations of the other fish. Specifically the Perch, I prefer Perch to other fresh water fish and we don't catch as many around here as we used to.
 Adam

[Lamnidae]

Wonder if that road around the backside of Noxon is open during the winter?  There are a few of those rock walls on that side above the last big lagoon adjacent to Avista land that drop at a sharp angle down to 60-80 feet in a matter of 15 ft. from shore.  In the summer, those walls hold fish like crazy.  I bet jigging for 'em on ice would be amazing.

[riske]

I am still wondering what you ment by If walleye start showing up everywhere west of the divide?

[riske]

Anybody got anything on Noxon?   Starting points?  Access ?  Anything?

[Bluegoose]

Call John at this number: 1.406.827.4458

[Griep]

Hey people, has anybody fished Noxon and if so any ideas on a good spot to start to look for walleye ?

[missoulafish]

recently introduced, young population, low numbers. Good luck catching even one.