refuge

[ULking]

So probably wont be going there later this week huh?

[panfishon]

I am hopeing to get one more trip in somewhere next weekend depends on the wind if it blows hard with the warm temps I would say you are right ULKING

[ULking]

Well if that's the case ill be heading to boxbutte if ya wanna join me...its a drive but there is hard water out there and decent fishin

[Tomhusker]

 What day are you going out there?

[ULking]

Planned on Thursday friday Saturday then leave after Sunday mornings bite died

[Eastwesterner]

Fished the refuge this weekend and ice was decent where it looked decent.  Open spots in several places and they grew each day with warm temps and wind.  I am not planning on going up there this wkend after seeing the forcast.  It has survived this far, though.

[ULking]

Yeah I've already nixed that idea probably going to smith or boxbutte. Which is better for perch? I've fished box before but only once averaged aroused 8"-9" but did catch smaller and only a few bigger but Nothin huge I think my biggest was 11" or so.

[thesleddinfisher]

I don't fish boxbutte very much, but Walgren is actually better than Smith for perch. Walgren has lots of good eaters, while at Smith you'll have to catch 10 dinks to get 1 eater. Usually you set up towards the middle and stay put. Fatheads on deadsticks usually keep the fillets coming. But... fished Walgren today and didn't do squat, didn't get skunked but barely. Only 3 perch, 1 Crappie and 1 gill and a couple northerns on tip-ups all day. Ice was a solid 9", and it survived the last heat wave so it should be alright, but 3 outta the next 4 days are supposed to be really windy so hope it holds up fine. (maybe the wind will blow the heat away before it has a chance to melt any.....I wish  )

[ULking]

I hope it blows all the heat away!!! Id rather it be so cold holes refreeze than this warm crap! But extended forecast looks bad

[Eastwesterner]

I fished both Smith and Walgren on Saturday and Walgren has better perch.  I didn't have minnows either, but I wished I did.  Perch on Smith are very small, tops for the morning was probably 9 inchish.

[Sandbilly]

Can someone keep the ice thicknesses posted for me? Thanks I don't want to make the trip up there if its not safe!

Several people on the V. Refuge lakes today. Ice is loosing ground but still fishable.

dc

[ULking]

Anyone know thickness?

[problyfishin]

I fished Dewey on Tuesday and ice was good.  6-8 inches of hard ice.  Fishin wasn't to bad either.

[Sandbilly]

Anyone know thickness?

5-6" of good ice on Hackberry & Pelican. Hackberry has better perch overall. You will catch more perch on Pelican, most being 3 inches long, but also have a shot at some very big perch.

dc 

[flatwalter]

thanks Don.  Was going to pm you but you beat me to the questions.  If you have any more drop me an email.

Jorg

[Eastwesterner]

Got a tip the ice survived, so came back west.  Quick drive through on refuge before dark.  Willow looked unsafe.  Dewey and Hackberry still have good ice, with areas near pressure ridges opened wide.  Watts had ice.  Boardman access also had safe ice.  Be cautious.  Its not take the kids fishing ice!  I'll be out there though.   

[duckhunter6963]

Eastwesterner which Willow lake? the one south of ainsworth

[Eastwesterner]

Valentine refuge Willow Lake.  Have not been by the Brown Co. Willow Lake yet this year.