Winter Catch: Ice Fishing is Hot on Several High-Elevation Waters
By Story and photos by Brian Brinkerhoff For the Deseret Morning News
Frosted snow crunched under our feet as we pulled the sled to our fishing spot about 100 yards from the shoreline. The air was a crisp six degrees, freezing in our nostrils as we puffed across the ice. Just before the sun broke over the snowy hillsides, our first rainbow trout was already biting with light and timid taps to the mealworm presented on a 1/16 ounce white jig.
Holiday anglers are already heading out to high and mid- elevation waters to catch trout or panfish at their favorite frozen destinations. Although ice is currently safe on some of the higher elevation waters, anglers are advised to exercise extreme caution when venturing onto the ponds. Many waters are just donning their ice cap and are not yet offering safe conditions. Ice changes daily and anyone attempting to walk on water should cautiously check its thickness. Moving water and natural springs will result in thin areas and anglers should always watch for these situations.
A variety of baits can be effective this time of year, ranging from mealworms and night crawlers to minnows and Powerbait. Mealworms are popular because they don’t freeze as easily as night crawlers, however, insulated coolers can help prevent bait freezing when temperatures are brisk. Effective colors also vary, depending on time of day, clarity of the water and fish preference.
Anglers are drawn to this type of fishing because it opens the entire lake to those traditionally limited to shoreline access. Early in the season, fish actively feed while water temperatures under the ice are relatively warm and oxygen is readily available. As a result, plenty of action awaits for those willing to brave the cold.
Scofield Reservoir is usually the first to freeze, offering anglers that first scratch to a growing itch as temperatures plummet. After Jan. 1, the trout limit doubles to eight fish on this water, offering additional trout to anglers wanting more at mealtime.
Several Strawberry Reservoir bays are also starting to freeze over, although most are currently reported as unsafe. It is a favorite destination after Christmas or New Year’s for larger cutthroat trout and fat rainbows, and as a result, sees a lot of fishing pressure. On this water, getting away from the crowds can make a difference in improving fishing success, and snowmobiles can help you access those distant bays.
Huntington Reservoir at the top of Skyline Drive is seeing some smaller tiger trout action, but fishing seems to slow down as the season progresses. Anglers heading here should not delay, since ice thickness can become a problem later, where visitors have to carve through more than three feet of ice, covered with several feet of snow.
Utah Lake is always worth a visit if you are looking for white bass, but ice thickness can change hourly on this water, especially when the sun is out and temperatures are mild. Lindon Boat harbor currently has reports of schooling bass and happy anglers are taking them home for dinner. The harbor at Utah Lake State Park can also be worth a visit. If you can find the school, action will be hot. Bright and shiny presentations work best, especially if you offer a night crawler or bass meat along with your jig.
Other popular destinations include Fish Lake, Panguitch Reservoir, Otter Creek, Pelican Lake and Deer Creek as the season progresses. Feel free to move around and carve new holes if the fish are not biting. Sometimes a few feet will make all the difference between nonstop action and not getting a bite. Many use portable fish finders to discover what is happening under the ice cap.
Dress in layers and don’t skimp on warm clothing. It is always easy to remove the excess if it warms up, but it is hard to warm up if you did not bring enough. Good boots are critical. Slush often forms on the ice at waters like Strawberry, which can make for a less comfortable visit if you are unprepared. Gloves and a good warm hat are essential.
Although many would expect it to be very quiet on the waters this time of year, these frozen wintertime scenes are now dotted with friends and families huddled together, laughing and telling stories of fish that escaped their grasp. The crowd is sociable and fun, even when fish are not biting. Ice tents help protect dedicated anglers from the elements as they play cards and wait for that next tug on their line. Many Utah recreationists are hooked on this form of fishing and once they try it, their heart warms every time the temperatures drop below freezing. For the latest ice fishing reports, visit http://wildlife.utah.gov/fishing/reports.php
Brian Brinkerhoff hosts “Backcountry Utah: Utah’s Outdoor Radio Magazine,” which airs 9-10 a.m. Saturday on AM 630 KTKK, 3-4 p.m. Tues. afternoons on AM 1340 KTMP. He is author of “Best Easy Day Hikes: Salt Lake City,” published by Falcon Press. For more information, visit his Web site at www.backcountry-magazine.com.
(c) 2007 Deseret News (Salt Lake City). Provided by ProQuest Information and Learning. All rights Reserved.