Ashley Lake
No safe ice and no new reports of fishing activity.
 
Blanchard
3-5in of good solid ice. Reports of decent crappie action towards the South end. Perch and sunnies are being caught along the West shoreline. Use a Northland Forage Jig tipped with a wax worm.
 
Church Slough
Some ice has formed but not very safe with above average temps. Use extreme caution if you go here.
 
Echo Lake
Reports say that most of the lake is capped over, but not safe to venture out on. 

Ashley Lake
No recent reports as of yet.
 
Blanchard
Entire lake is capped over with 3-5in of ice. Use cation going through the channel as ice maybe thin around reeds and cattails.
 
Church Slough
Ice is starting to form on most of the lake. Not safe to fish yet.

Cold weather is expected by Thanksgiving and beyond. This will really decrease the water temps. Ice will start to form on some lakes, but ALWAYS check conditions before you go out!
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Ashley Lake
A few people have ventured out to catch some salmon. They were in 55’ of water jigging Swedish Pimps with pink maggots anywhere from 15-30ft below water surface.
 
Blanchard
Some ice has formed, then melted. It shouldn’t take much to cap over later this week.
 
Church Slough
This past week has been great for anglers catching pike. Use on pole rigged with a pea mouth on a hanger rug under a bobber. Take a second pole and cast a fire tiger Rapala.

Weather patterns will be changing fishing conditions this week. Temps will be well above freezing and heavy rains early. Fish should be biting with dropping air pressure. Always go prepared for changing weather.
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Ashley Lake
No recent reports however, rainbows should be on the move to shallower water.
 
Church Slough
Water levels have gone down some more from last week. The boat launch is reported to be muddy.
 
Echo Lake
Anglers have been doing well for whitefish. Reports also say the water level is quite low. Jig over larger sized rock piles with Pete’s Whitefish Slayer.

​Cold temps this past week have really dropped the water temps. This has formed some ice on certain lakes. This will change later this week as temps will be higher. Always have safety gear when going out on first ice!

Bitterroot Lake
Rainbow bite has been good again. Troll planer boards close to shoreline. Capt Andy’s Flies and Plug-It lures work best. Trilling for Salmon has also produced nice fish. Use beer can flashers and a wedding ring tipped with maggots.
 
Blanchard Lake
Reports say Ice is starting to form along shorelines, but not fishable.
 
Church Slough
Water levels are dropping as well as the temps. Crappie can be found suspended in deeper water over tall structure.

Good news for the hard water fishermen! Diehards have been out on Smith on 3 inches of solid ice. Please use EXTREME caution with these warmer temps! Always have safety equipment when going out on first ice. This includes ice picks, rope and maybe float suits. 

Ashley Lake
Rainbow actions should be picking up, so troll with planer boards and a captain Andy’s Trolling Fly. Run planer board over 15-20ft of water. No reports of Salmon.
 
Church Slough
Perch action has been very good. Go to the right of launch around 200yrds and look for structure in 8ft of water. Jig a Northland Forage Minnow with maggots. Pike action has been fair. Anglers are reporting the Vibrax Lure in yellow/red with red dots works best.
 
Echo Lake
Late season bass are biting so now is a good time to get them before they get lethargic. Focus in deeper water where the temps are warmer. Some whitefish have been reported using Pete’s Whitefish Slayers.

With hunting season starting, most people don’t realize this is one of the best times of the year to be out fishing. Remember to dress warm and be prepared! Open water season is almost over, and hard water is just around the corner.

Ashley Lake
A few reports of decent perch. Try looking around points and transition zones. Use a 1/4oz jig with wax worms and fish 6in off the bottom. No reports of Salmon.
 
Church Slough
Use of sonar is an excellent way to get on top of crappie. Look for log piles or brush on bottom. Use Pete’s Cactus Candy Jig and a Crappie Candy for good success. A few lucky anglers have caught nice pike.
 
Echo Lake
Good late season bass fishing for dedicated anglers. Low and slow works best in 20ft of water or deeper. The whitefish bite should still be going. Use a Whitefish Slayer or a 3/8oz jig with a small plastic craw.

​Ashley Lake
The salmon should be biting once again. Sonar is the best way to locate the large schools. Once found, jig a Hali or use a Swedish Pimple and a Rat Finke dropper with corn and maggots.
 
Church Slough
Fun for crappie this time of year. Once you locate them. Use soft plastics on a 1/8oz jig and fish just above the school. Pike action has slowed.
 
Echo Lake
Once again water levels are low so use caution. All species have been doing well including Salmon and Whitefish. Jig Zimmer’s Rat’l Disasters or Halis. Bass have moved deep.

Cooler temps mean water temps are dropping and ice fishing will be around the corner. We have a large selection of gear in stock and more arriving daily.
 
Ashley Lake
No new reports. Salmon bite should be going strong either jigging or trolling.
 
Blanchard Lake
A few anglers have done well catching pike and some decent crappies. Now is an excellent time to fish low and slow with swim baits for pike. Look for crappie to be suspended and jig a glow green demon.
 
Church Slough
We have had good reports of decent pike. Large spoons work well. Lots of smaller crappie as well. Use a 1/8oz jig and a Gulp minnow for best results.

​Always over dress this time of year as the weather is always changing. Nothing ruins a day on the water like getting hypothermia. Stay warm and stay safe!
 
Ashley Lake
No recent reports but salmon fishing should be good. Try using the go to lure, the Hali in a glow white/orange pattern with maggots.
 
Blanchard Lake
Good perch bite as water is cooling down. Try around dying lily pads and jig with leeches (use Bio Leeches as the live leeches are out of season).