Fishing Report 02-04-2019

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​This past week has brought colder weather to build ice around the region. Although the temps are low, be sure to ALWAYS check for safe ice yourself & use caution on bigger bodies of water.

** Tip of the Week **
To catch a few bigger Perch, be on the move. Make small moves and find the outside of the school. Use heavier lures to get down thru the smaller perch.
 
Blanchard Lake
8” of ice and some slush in spots. Be ready to drill holes to stay ahead of Perch and Crappie. Be sure to check regulations for Pike slot Limit.

​Beaver Lake
The road going in may be rough going, but the Salmon are biting. The classis Swedish Pimple and Ref Funke Dropper are working well. A few nice Rainbows in shallower water.
 
Lower Stillwater
Reports of up to 16” of ice. There are some slushy spots and lots of snow on top. Perch fishing has been good for a day or two, then slows down. On slow days, try shallow using Finesse Plastics.
 
Smith Lake
12-14” of ice and snow. Use tip-ups for Pike. Smelt or herring work best for bait on a Pike Hanging Rig. Nice Perch being caught. If you don’t have an underwater camera, use Pete’s Slab Slayer or lead maggot under a small bobber. When the bobber slightly moves, set your hook fast.
 
Rodgers Lake
8” of ice with snow and some slush. Cutthroat bite has slowed so fish low and slow.
 
Monroe
8” of solid ice and some snow cover. Perch have been around 8” average. Try using our new line of Trick Tackle to catch bigger perch. Pike fishing has slowed some.
 
Ashley Lake
Ice thickness varies, so check conditions as you move. Salmon bite is on fire using a pink or orange Attractor and a Rat Finke or Doodle Bug Dropper. Lots of spawned fish caught. Decent Perch also using Forage Spoons.
 
Little Bitterroot
Ice thickness varies so check conditions as you proceed. People are starting to fish the South end for Salmon. North end by Boy Scout Camp has 6” and catching nice Perch.
 
McGregor Lake
4” of ice on the West end. Fishing for Rainbows has been slow. Ice thickness decreases near deeper water.
 
Thompson Chain
Lower- Decent Perch fishing in shallow water. Pete’s Sassy Stingers work well. Several Brook Trout being caught.
Middle- Ice thickness varies. Good Rainbow fishing in shallow water as well as Pike. Perch have been slow.
Upper- Good ice, around 8” and spots of slush. Good numbers of smaller Perch. Pike fishing has slowed some, but they are nice.
Crystal- Close to 8” of ice. Good reports of Salmon using Sitka Smelt Sticks.
 
McWenneger Slough
6-8” of ice and slush. A few smaller Perch and Crappie. Best to fish early AM or late evening.
 
Echo Lake
4-8” of ice and spots of slush. Always check ice before going to a new area. Lots of small Perch to catch. Whitefish bit is one. Use Pete’s Slayers in 40’ of water.
 
Horseshoe (Ferndale)
Great place to catch smaller Perch, Crappie and Bass. Close to 8” of ice.
 
Lake Mary Ronan
6 to 10” of ice and snow. Perch have been good in 17ft of water. Salmon has been slow but have decent size.