Ice Fishing the Snowies!

[gemcityslayer]

How big do the goldens get up there do you know?

[jritten]

Hey guys, first of all, good info here. I'm new to Laramie, and was wondering once the road closes is there any more access to the alpine lakes, or am I stuck with the plains lakes the rest of winter?

[POk3s]

just by snow machine as far as I understand. The vast majority of people stick with the plains lakes or the Curt Gowdy lakes. Welcome to the addiction.

[307_bows]

How big do the goldens get up there do you know?

The ones that i have seen were not real big, but that was the summer before last. I would guess some where around the 12 inch mark.

[wyoming_man]

The goldens in our neck of the woods are pretty small.  Bear lake on the northwest side of Libby flats also has goldens.  After the roads close the best way to get to it is to head straight south of Greenrock picnic area.  Its a least a mile from 130, maybe a couple!  I have fished it during the summer, but never in the winter.  Bear also has browns and brookies. 

As for ice fishing once the road closes about your only option on the mountains is Hanging lake, bad parking area, hike into Owen, or sled into one of the alpine lakes.  The alpine lakes become less and less of an option as the winter progresses due to the depth of snow and ice.

For options of ice fishing around Laramie there are a lot of lakes!  Alsop, Sodergreen, Haiti, Twin Buttes, Gillete, Meebor, Leazenby, the walk in reservoir that Johnson creek flows into, Seminoe, Johnson Reservoir near Sybille, Wheatland 2, East Allen, Upper North Crow, Middle North Crow, Granite, Crystal, Hanging, Stock pond near Wagonwheel.  Thats a lot of choices!  There are other private lakes around as well if you know the right people.  Good luck out giving them a go.

[jritten]

Thanks for the info!

[allornothing]

Went up to Owen yesterday for a few hours and caught a few fish including 16" and 14" brookies.  Pretty nice day out and the ice was around 4".

[fishslap]

Can you still drive to Owen right now (or close)?  I was thinking of making the trip up from Northern front range CO.  I've already hit some of the early ice spots here and I'm looking a change.  Thanks.

[allornothing]

Can you still drive to Owen right now (or close)?  I was thinking of making the trip up from Northern front range CO.  I've already hit some of the early ice spots here and I'm looking a change.  Thanks.

We went to Owen via Albany and on our way out we found out that the forest service gate to Owen was closed.  The roads weren't too bad to travel over.

[wyoming_man]

Yeah, the road from the Sheep Mountain side is closed right now.  You can access Owen via Albany and there is very little snow on the roads.  The roads are very slick so be careful.  Friend of mine hit it today and they only caught one rainbow and brookie.  Worth the trip thats for sure.  We hit Rob Roy, but I will be posting in that thread.   

[Nhurley]

Anyone know how long the hiway will be open over the Snowies? I was guessing it would be open till around the first good snow but wasn't sure if they actually set a date or not. Am looking forward to doing some hard water fishing this weekend and wanted to try and make a plan. I suppose if the road is closed by then I can at least get on Owen!

[Dirty P]

i work for wydot, i think but do not know for sure, if the plows can keep it open they will but i80 take priority. if its snowing too bad they will probably close it and that will be that.

[Nhurley]

Sounds good, were gonna go up and try to get in that one last trip tomorrow. Hopefully we can make it to rob roy, mirror, or something up that way if not I am sure you will be able to find us out on Owen. Thanks for the info!

[fishm_n]

how far is the walk to the shelf lakes??

[wyoming_man]

how far is the walk to the shelf lakes??

Now that the road is closed I would say you 3-4 miles?  I think that is an optimistic estimate.  You pretty much need a sled to get in there now.  Problem is there is not enough snow for snowmobiles.  I think you would be better off trying to get to Bear lake.  Even then you better know where you are going so you don't end up being a search and rescue story.

[Nhurley]

Went up Saturday and wanted to fish high, however they closed the road over the top on us some time the night before! However we went to Owen and absolutely pounded large brookies! It was incredible, fished on about 6-7'' of good clear ice. The inlet is still open however ~100yds away is 6" of ice. It was a great first trip. We were able to get a truck all the way to the lake via Albany, however the snow was really coming down and I am not sure if it will be possible to get a truck down there again this year. If you do make sure you bring 2 trucks or chains!