is not always nice. This time last year many of us were already on the hard water. That is not the case currently. The warmer weather needs to turn colder sooner.
Georgetown Lake is usually the first best ice to safely ice fish on. Fresno and other northern tier lakes freeze next. Hegben, near West Yellowstone, can freeze early as well.
I took a drive up into my local mountains to check on Hyalite Lake. My wife needed some greens for holiday decorations so I said I would make a run. Of course, the greens were my priority.
Last year, I caught my first limit in this high-altitude lake on Thanksgiving weekend. Today the air temperature was 43 degrees. No one was on the thin ice. The water is liquid around the edges and there are open spots in the main lake. One brave, lightweight, Iceman must have tried to trek out and fish by the dam. There was one hole and a trail of tracks following the exact path back to shore. The ice is still a bit sketchy!
Icemen can’t wait to fish the hard water. Hunting season is over, except for some special hunts, and upland birds. Outdoor folks need to stay active in Big Sky Country.
It takes a special breed of angler to ice fish. Spectators think ice fishing is just crazy. What kind of nut wants to sit in the freezing cold dangling a line through a small hole?
With the right gear, fishing on the ice can be quite rewarding. The air may be cold, but the lake is still. Fishing can be outstanding and relaxing. If you enjoy eating fish, Ice fishing is a perfect fit.
I used my binoculars to scan the lake. One area showed evidence of a breakthrough. It looked like someone had fallen through and had to be dragged out. A ‘V’ of slush and open water were evident. The wind had blown areas that looked like pathways on the ice. Not even a Raven was perched on the lake. Fishing the safe hardwater is a week to 10 days away, if we get colder weather.
Christmas tree cutters were in abundance. So were the dog walkers. Cross-country skiers were also on the prowl.
The road heading up to the reservoir is slick through the canyon. Evidence of sliding rigs, which ended up in the ditch were obvious. The City of Bozeman plows the access road during the winter, but 4-wheel Drive is a good idea.
There have been reports across the state about people breaking through the thin ice. Believe them. For most Icemen, 5 inches of consistent, hard ice is needed. The little skinny boys may get by with 3 inches, but a “Real Montana Iceman” needs more. After all, we take plenty of gear, snacks, and friends.
I did prune a box of greens for my wife’s decoration project. There is still a week or so to organize my Ice Fishing gear.
Montana Grant
