Since moving to Colorado over 30 years ago I have watched ice fishing gain in popularity to the point where hundreds of thousands of anglers now head out on the hard water across the state. There are a myriad of reasons, better clothing allows people to enjoy the outdoors in comfort even in the winter, anglers have access to water they can’t reach in open water, it allows us to keep fishing year round and the catch rate is much higher through the ice than during open water.
The catch rate is typically at its peak in what is referred to as early and late ice. Early ice finds the fish unmolested for a couple weeks as the lake freezes and they are active and not as easily spooked. The oxygen levels are still quite good compared to later in winter and their metabolism remains high. Late ice sees melting water running under the ice rising oxygen levels, warming the water and reinvigorating the aquatic life in the lake. Over the next few weeks we will be updating you on current ice conditions and trends with ice fishing.
Brad Peterson who is a professional angler and avid ice fisherman joined me Saturday to update us on current conditions. Peterson stated that while many mountain lakes, such North Michigan and the Red Feathers lakes had safe fishing ice where the fish were biting. He also said the lower elevation reservoirs and ponds were “locking up” quickly and by the time you read this may have a fishable ice cap.
Legendary ice angler, Brian “Bro” Brosdahl joined my radio show to talk about current trends in ice fishing. He talked about seeing more LCD depth finders being used for ice fishing instead of the traditional flashers that have been the mainstay of hard water anglers for decades. Brosdahl mentioned the new “floatable” ice fishing clothing designed to keep you afloat if you fall through the ice. Along those lines, people always ask me what is considered safe ice. My answer, there is no true guideline for safe ice, but if you use common sense, ice fishing is very safe. If you compare it to other winter activities, avalanches alone claim an average of six lives per year in Colorado. Early ice tends to be easier to asses. It is typically clear and strong. It can vary in thickness and should be checked frequently as you proceed out on the lake.
Below is a video demonstration on safe ice that was recorded on North Michigan Reservoir.
There are more ice guidelines to follow from the. As we get further into the ice fishing season, other factors, such as thawing and refreezing can affect ice safety. This will covered in future columns as the fishing season continues.
My advice is whether you’re a seasoned ice angler of an interested newbie to the sport, the hard water season is here. Use common sense, be careful, but enjoy some of the best fishing of the year.
You can listen to the complete interview with Petersen and Brosdahl below.
https://soundcloud.com/1043thefan/brian-bro-brosdahl-terry-wickstrom-outdoors-121016
https://soundcloud.com/1043thefan/brad-petersen-terry-wickstrom-outdoors-121016
Join Terry every Saturday morning at 8:00 a.m. for all your outdoor information on Terry Wickstrom Outdoors FM 104.3 The Fan. You can also follow Terry on Facebook at Terry Wickstrom Outdoors.
