Maybe A Bet, Will The Lakes Be Ice Free - Opener?

10671 Views 114 Replies 28 Participants Last post by Matt Paluch, Mar 20, 2017

Shawn Seeger

Discussion Starter · Feb 4, 2017

So, I was talking with my friend that live next door to Potholes, he was saying they had about 2.5 feet of ice, and temps didn't seem to be warning up.

Do we start taking bets as to if certain lakes are open in 25 days?

Beverly forecast attached.... Brrrr

See less See more

1 - 20 of 115 Posts

zen leecher aka bill w

· #2 · Feb 4, 2017

The Spokane paper said this was the coldest winter since 1979. I've seen a couple of early seasons where I couldn't fish as early as March 1st because of ice. This may be another one. I'm still holding out hope for a March 1st opener.

Reactions: 1

IveofIone

· #3 · Feb 4, 2017

This winter has been a bitch kitty so far and today is about the worst bitch yet. Not sure how much snow we are going to get today but once I get on my tractor I am going to have a hard time finding space for it all. But the 15 day forecast is encouraging with above freezing daytime temps arriving next Thurs and pretty much staying above that from then on. Of course things look even better in the basin than here on the frozen tundra.

Now the question becomes will some of our higher lakes be open for the April opener and how many will have suffered winter kill.

troutpocket

· #4 · Feb 4, 2017

It only takes 10 or so days of mild temps and some wind to peel the ice off the basin lakes. My guess is we'll have some water to fish come March 1.

Reactions: 3

Scott Salzer

· #5 · Feb 5, 2017

Shawn:

Where you been, my friend?

I'll be paying attention to the temps. I was the only person, make that idiot person, that spent the night in the snow in 15 degrees a few years back. It was not fun in my cot tent.

Any intel from the dry would certainly get appreciated

Shawn Seeger

Discussion Starter · #6 · Feb 5, 2017

Scott, you know I have been super busy... hahahah.... but I have found the truth in the statement from older guys "I am busier now (retired) than when I was working". But I was able to check the fished 40+ days last year at the film festival.

Did some Central Oregon fishing did more Spokane and Central Wa fishing, including a couple trips to Leech. Ran into a couple guys from the board at Leech.

I have been trying not to fish on weekends just to dang many guys... hahahaha... my plan weather and pass permitting to fish the opener till the 9th, then a week off and then back over east at Lenice and Dry Falls until about April 6th. Hope to see you over there!

Reactions: 2

Buzzy

· #7 · Feb 5, 2017

Shawn Seeger said:
Scott, you know I have been super busy... hahahah.... but I have found the truth in the statement from older guys "I am busier now (retired) than when I was working". But I was able to check the fished 40+ days last year at the film festival.

Did some Central Oregon fishing did more Spokane and Central Wa fishing, including a couple trips to Leech. Ran into a couple guys from the board at Leech.

I have been trying not to fish on weekends just to dang many guys... hahahaha... my plan weather and pass permitting to fish the opener till the 9th, then a week off and then back over east at Lenice and Dry Falls until about April 6th. Hope to see you over there!

Water Sky Natural landscape Snow Ice cap

I sincerely hope that your friends estimate of 2.5 feet of ice at Potholes area isn't, uh, well what's really there. If so, we're going to need more than @troutpocket's ten days (or so with mild temps) ;-) with wind. Here's Dry Falls this past Monday. It should be ready for you on your trip. Like seeing ice in the shallow bay to the right rather than dried up plants.

See less See more

Reactions: 5

troutpocket

· #8 · Feb 5, 2017

Thirty inches of ice sure seems unlikely. @b_illymac , any estimate of the ice thickness on Moses? It's been cold but central WA isn't Minnesota . . . I hope, anyway because I'm really looking forward to open water soon!

Reactions: 2

Old406Kid

· #9 · Feb 5, 2017

I don't know firsthand but heard that Sprague had about 16" two weeks ago.

zen leecher aka bill w

· #10 · Feb 5, 2017

troutpocket said:
Thirty inches of ice sure seems unlikely. @b_illymac , any estimate of the ice thickness on Moses? It's been cold but central WA isn't Minnesota . . . I hope, anyway because I'm really looking forward to open water soon!

I don't think Billy is dumb enough to be an icefisherman, at least I hope he's not, but the ice is reportedly 12 inches. I did see a car out on the ice two weeks ago.

Reactions: 1

Old406Kid

· #11 · Feb 5, 2017

zen leecher aka bill w said:
I don't think Billy is dumb enough to be an icefisherman, at least I hope he's not, but the ice is reportedly 12 inches. I did see a car out on the ice two weeks ago.

Sure would be nice if Billy would do some "in depth" checks and report back to the team

Tsar Bulba

· #12 · Feb 5, 2017

It is in the 70's with a possibility of the low 80's this week in Arizona.

I am betting on March 15th for ice out up there. I don't remember the ice being that thick at all. The winter of 78-79 was pretty ugly. It looks doubtful for leaving Arizona early.

Keep posting pictures!!

Reactions: 1

Shawn Seeger

Discussion Starter · #13 · Feb 5, 2017

Well, winter isn't done at my place this morning... Ugggg

See less See more

Reactions: 1

Old406Kid

· #14 · Feb 5, 2017

Shawn Seeger said:
Well, winter isn't done at my place this morning... Ugggg

Is that supposed to be a black and white photo?

Reactions: 1

junkie

· #15 · Feb 5, 2017

I wouldn't put money on them being ice free. But you never know. It's supposed to warm up and stay that way.

Reactions: 1

Buzzy

· #16 · Feb 5, 2017

zen leecher aka bill w said:
I don't think Billy is dumb enough to be an icefisherman, at least I hope he's not, but the ice is reportedly 12 inches. I did see a car out on the ice two weeks ago.

Was it an old Buick that they cut the floor out of the back seat? Creature comfort while ice fishin'.

zen leecher aka bill w

· #17 · Feb 5, 2017

Buzzy said:
Was it an old Buick that they cut the floor out of the back seat? Creature comfort while ice fishin'.

This was not a Patrick McManus fishing car, this was a real city vehicle worthy of being insured.

Reactions: 1

Buzzy

· #18 · Feb 5, 2017

zen leecher aka bill w said:
This was not a Patrick McManus fishing car, this was a real city vehicle worthy of being insured.

I don't recall the McManus story but one of my former colleagues did cut the floor out of an old Buick and fit it with a removable piece. He drove it out onto the ice (of your fine city), pulled the removable section out, drilled a hole, and proceeded to fish. I guess the second time he drove it out, some guys came up and bought it off him. Now maybe my former colleague was fibbing... but I doubt it. Saw four guys on the ice yesterday by Blue Heron

dust in the wind

· #19 · Feb 6, 2017

Moses is showing no signs of breaking up that I can tell and it's really not warming up much.

That said I've had good fishing before in semi frozen lakes. It's just cold.

Reactions: 1

Old406Kid

· #20 · Feb 6, 2017

b_illymac said:
in semi frozen lakes.

Is this what you mean by semi frozen?

Art Water Font Snout Circle

See less See more

Reactions: 1

1 - 20 of 115 Posts

This is an older thread, you may not receive a response, and could be reviving an old thread. Please consider creating a new thread.