Author Topic: lake mcdonald (Read 1902 times)

cjg20232 · « **on:** Feb 07, 2014, 10:22 AM »

so I see lake McDonald in glacier park is froze over with well over a foot of ice I wonder if they allow ice fishing on it.

BigSage · « **Reply #1 on:** Feb 07, 2014, 10:27 AM »

They do allow ice fishing. No bait, no power augers. You can find the fishing regs on the Glacier Website, under fishing.
There's big Kokes, Bull Trout, Lakers, Cutties. I've always wanted to fish it

BigSage · « **Reply #2 on:** Feb 07, 2014, 10:29 AM »

I wouldn't trust that there's over a foot of ice on it. There was ZERO ice on it last week.

cjg20232 · « **Reply #3 on:** Feb 07, 2014, 10:40 AM »

ya that's true they say the upper end of the lake is still open. But looking at the pics that ice looks pretty dang thick.

Jim F · « **Reply #4 on:** Feb 07, 2014, 10:45 AM »

Quote from: BigSage on Feb 07, 2014, 10:27 AM

no power augers.

Should say no "GAS" powered augers, I think electric is OK

No lead lures though if I recall

cjg20232 · « **Reply #5 on:** Feb 07, 2014, 10:56 AM »

ya they have a section on ice fishing in there website only one pole per person you can use shelter.

cjg20232 · « **Reply #6 on:** Feb 07, 2014, 10:59 AM »

and you can use worms grubs etc. just cant collect them inside park boundaries

Papa John · « **Reply #7 on:** Feb 07, 2014, 12:03 PM »

Boy, I wouldn't use any "powered auger" out there. Regs say that specifically and we all know how Feds are about their regulations. There are some nice Macs in McD, can't keep any cuts or dolly's. No fish parts or pieces of ANY KIND for bait. Regs are very specific. Might have to go drill a hole or two.

missoulafish · « **Reply #8 on:** Feb 07, 2014, 12:20 PM »

Anyone EVER fished it? Big Sage almost talked us into last year but we never made it up there

cjg20232 · « **Reply #9 on:** Feb 07, 2014, 01:41 PM »

iv fished it from shore in the summer my dads worked for the nps for 30+ years ill have to ask him if he knows of anybody ever ice fishing it.

cjg20232 · « **Reply #10 on:** Feb 07, 2014, 01:47 PM »

my uncle who also works for the nps says it feezes over often but the ice doesn't get to thick maybe best to not go out on it

BigSage · « **Reply #11 on:** Feb 07, 2014, 02:29 PM »

That might be another "Get together". I've seen underwater pics of HUGE (18-24")Kokes in there. And, there's got to be some monster macs and bulls in there as well.

double_a85 · « **Reply #12 on:** Feb 07, 2014, 02:53 PM »

How does it fish from shore in the Summer? My wife and I are heading up to Glacier this summer for a week and I have been debating whether or not to pack some fishing gear.

cjg20232 · « **Reply #13 on:** Feb 07, 2014, 09:12 PM »

the river going into it from the south is good. red an white daredevils really do the trick

Young Blood · « **Reply #14 on:** Feb 07, 2014, 09:24 PM »

Quote from: double_a85 on Feb 07, 2014, 02:53 PM

How does it fish from shore in the Summer? My wife and I are heading up to Glacier this summer for a week and I have been debating whether or not to pack some fishing gear.

Well it's not the lake but I've done well throwing flies in the creek coming out of avalanche lake. There are some great holes right off the trail and almost everybody just fishes avalanche lake so the fish in the creek will hit most everything cause they don't see much pressure.

Skalkaho · « **Reply #15 on:** Feb 09, 2014, 09:58 AM »

Avalanche Lake...Noodle Rod 2# test, casting bubble...any fly! Just get out by the ledge, nice Cuts. I had a group of tourists setting on the rocks watching me fish. Let different people try there luck, they had a ball! Always nice when you can help people out! Pete
Fished McDonald with the Kayak trolling deep flies, nothing, but gorgeous Lake.....

Jim F · « **Reply #16 on:** Feb 09, 2014, 11:40 AM »

I've caught lake trout off the dock in front of Lake McDonald Lodge in December and January
when it hasn't froze. Large spoons cast far and let sink before retrieving

<< BTW- My avatar was taken just up from the dock

MT204 · « **Reply #17 on:** Feb 09, 2014, 07:58 PM »

Had a couple friends fish Lake McDonald with their boat 10 days ago. Did real well. Must have froze over real quick.

doublehaul · « **Reply #18 on:** Feb 10, 2014, 09:58 AM »

Are there any pike in that body of water?

Papa John · « **Reply #19 on:** Feb 10, 2014, 11:43 AM »

No pike, thank goodness, we have them in dozens of other lakes here in western Mt. The Park Service issued an ice warning for McDonald a couple days ago. Thickness varies quite a bit and is potentially dangerous. McD has lots of lakers, whitefish, cuts (catch and release only), and some BIG kokanee if you can find them.

BigSage · « **Reply #20 on:** Feb 10, 2014, 12:27 PM »

I saw on the news last night about the ice thickness (or should I say thinness.) A guy was ice skating on 2-3", and thought the ice closer to shore was about 6". Hopefully some ice will build this week, and I would love to try it this weekend.

HuntMT4Life · « **Reply #21 on:** Feb 10, 2014, 10:38 PM »

Just read an article about two cross country skiers fell through the ice. Got themselves out, but lost all their gear. Be careful if you venture out there.

H-glow · « **Reply #22 on:** Feb 10, 2014, 10:52 PM »

The Feds should net it to get rid of all those invasive non native fish huh

Cornbread · « **Reply #23 on:** Feb 11, 2014, 12:23 PM »

http://www.nbcmontana.com/news/crosscountry-skiers-fall-into-glacier-park-lake/24408666

News:

Author Topic: lake mcdonald (Read 1902 times)