The Price Perch Posse made a switch today and became the Basin Bluegill Brigade for one day. We made the two hour drive from Price and arrived at the lake at 0800. The lake is as high as I have ever seen it at this time of the year. I’d say it’s nearly full and much of the parking area on the east side near the road has water on it. I didn’t know how deep the water was so I didn’t drive into the parking area. I parked just off the highway near a large irrigation pump north of the parking area.
The ice is solid with only a few inches of very firm snow on the surface. It’s cold enough at night that even with the soft snow in the late afternoon, it’s back to easy walking in the mornings.
Another vehicle came in while we were unloading. The guy drove his pickup through the two feet of water and made it to the normal parking area. He said he had been there yesterday and knew he could make it through.
We walked west about 250 yards which put us about 100 yards out beyond the bullrushes. We found 13 feet of water and started fishing. We were all using various small jigs tipped with nightcrawler pieces. The action was fairly steady all morning and slowed a little around noon. All three of us caught plenty of bluegill and a few LMB. I think we kept nearly a limit of bluegill and a couple LMB that swallowed our offerings and were injured.
It was one of the most beautiful days I’ve ever experienced at Pelican. There was NO W**D and the temps warmed into the upper 30s in the afternoon. Sunscreen and sunglasses are a must. The two other guys that came just behind us were the only other folks on the ice. I talked with them mid-morning and they were doing pretty good in 10 feet of water right at the edge of the bullrushes.
All in all a great day to be out and about. When we quit at 1700 the snow was a little soft but walking and dragging the sleds was still pretty easy going.
Here’s a few photos from today’s trip.
Mike
**Nice report. Glad you guys were able to get in a trip out there. **