08-27-2009, 08:26 PM
I grew up ice fishing back in Wisconsin and that was a favorite activity to look forward to. When I finally moved to Boise in January, 1990 that was one of the first things I checked out in this part of the state. First off, let me say that I'm not aware of any guide services available for that in this part of the state, and it's my opinion that if there were, it wouldn't be worth the expense....you could figure it out on your own simply by checking available fishing reports, talking to local tackle shops [like Tackle Tom's in Cascade], and following the crowd. That's one big difference between ice fishing and fishing any other time of the year.....ice fishiing is much more of a social event and each person seems to have a much larger tolerance for people fishing near them.
At any rate, for this area here are some possibilities that have pretty good ice formation to support this activity: Cascade Lake and Magic Reservoir [readily accessible via maintained road system] ; Horsethief Lake [need a snowmobile/ATV or prepared for a strenuous hike through the snow]; same can be said for Lost Valley Reservoir. Those are the ones I used to hit, but I no longer ice fish thanks to my buddies....I now enjoy snotscickles and freezing my a$$ off in a boat on the Clearwater River chasing after winter B-runs.
There are other options I'm sure that readers will be able to supply more info on. For example: CJ Strike - some areas [Cottonwood Cove and the Narrows] might get enough ice to support fishermen getting out a ways; I've seen a few winters when that was the case on Lucky Peak Reservoir in the area adjacent to Turner Gulch boat ramp; and I heard that there has been some of this going on at Swan Creek Falls Reservoir south of Twin Falls. A Little research and talking fishing with the right people can probably provide you with some options in your area.
Like my mother used to say when I was a kid...."you've gotta be nuts!!!!"
[signature]
At any rate, for this area here are some possibilities that have pretty good ice formation to support this activity: Cascade Lake and Magic Reservoir [readily accessible via maintained road system] ; Horsethief Lake [need a snowmobile/ATV or prepared for a strenuous hike through the snow]; same can be said for Lost Valley Reservoir. Those are the ones I used to hit, but I no longer ice fish thanks to my buddies....I now enjoy snotscickles and freezing my a$$ off in a boat on the Clearwater River chasing after winter B-runs.
There are other options I'm sure that readers will be able to supply more info on. For example: CJ Strike - some areas [Cottonwood Cove and the Narrows] might get enough ice to support fishermen getting out a ways; I've seen a few winters when that was the case on Lucky Peak Reservoir in the area adjacent to Turner Gulch boat ramp; and I heard that there has been some of this going on at Swan Creek Falls Reservoir south of Twin Falls. A Little research and talking fishing with the right people can probably provide you with some options in your area.
Like my mother used to say when I was a kid...."you've gotta be nuts!!!!"
[signature]