A cold snap has brought ice fishing into full activity in popular lakes in South Park and North Park. Anglers are reporting catches of all sizes at Elevenmile and Antero reservoirs, with some catches reported to 24 1/2 inches at Antero, where ice depths are 2 to 6 inches at the dam, 4 to 6 inches across the lake.
A few ice breaks appear on warm days; anglers should take caution when moving on ice and never go out alone. At Elevenmile, 2 inches of ice covers the lake, deeper in Wicher and Sucker coves and at Stull Mountain, where conditions are fishable.
Tarryall Reservoir has 9 inches of ice; anglers are catching mostly stockers, 10 to 12 inches long. Ice at Jefferson Lake is 8 inches deep.
Below-zero temperatures cast a solid ice cover over most North Park lakes. Bill Wilcox at Lake John Resort reports 6 inches of ice at Lake John, Cowdrey and the Delaney Butte lakes. Cold nights should keep ice thickness agreeable to a growing number of anglers descending on the area.
Wilcox played the gallant, rolling up his sleeves to help land a 7 1/2-pound rainbow for his fishing partner, Bob Greenfield, who released his catch. Other fish to 6 pounds have been landed at Lake John.
More ice info.
Ice authorities Bernie Keefe and Nathan Zelinsky will conduct a series of seminars next week at local spots stores. On Dec. 11, they’ll conduct a panel at Gander Mountain Aurora, then follow with a 6-9 p.m. tour of the store helping anglers select gear. The location is 14000 E. Jewell Ave.
They’ll appear Dec. 12 at Bass Pro Shop, 7970 Northfield Blvd., with Keefe speaking on lake trout at 2:30 p.m., and Zelinsky following at 3:30 p.m. on walleye patterns beneath the ice. They’ll join for a 4:30 p.m. panel discussion.
Keisling service.
A 10:30 a.m. Friday service is scheduled at St. Jude Catholic Church for noted Denver angler Jonathan Keisling, who died Monday after an automobile accident last week. Keisling worked for Blue Quill Angler fly shop and delivered a number of lectures on the sport to local clubs.
Schearer recovering.
Montanan Chad Schearer, known for his many appearances at the Denver International Sportsmen’s Exposition, is recovering from a serious fall from horseback while on a recent elk hunt in Arizona. Schearer suffered a broken leg, torn ligaments and a dislocated ankle. He’s expected to be recovered in time for his January appearance at the International Sportsmen Exposition in Denver.
