Canadice/Hemlock Ice Out?

[Nessmuk]

Now that everyone is excited about fishing on solid water I am waiting for the water to liquefy .   Anyone venture to guess, predict, wager on, etc. when ice out will come?

Edited January 10, 2014 by Nessmuk

[devoknevo]

Check the crystal ball, it never lies!

[Nessmuk]

Check the crystal ball, it never lies!

 

I thought you had it?

[BRB23]

Did Friday's nights heavy south wind tear the ice off of either of these lakes?  Can't be long now I imagine

[zackblain]

Just checked on canadice still locked up. I'm not optimistic about this weekend

[BRB23]

Another round of gusty south winds forecasted tonight. Rain as well... We'll see if it does anything

60s Thursday..

[Nessmuk]

Rain helps a lot!

 

Is the Canadice launch free of snow/ice?

 

Has anyone looked at Hemlock?

[zackblain]

I checked the launch at canadice yesterday and there was maybe ten yards of open water where the creek comes in. Not sure about hemlock

[BRB23]

Thanks Zack....I was down there one morning last April and it looked as you described.  A heavy southwind came thru that same day and by the time I came back in the afternoon it was open...

 

I am hoping Thursday's forecast for mid 60's and gusty winds holds and opens it up..

[zackblain]

I'll check it out Thursday evening and post again

[zackblain]

Canadice still locked tonight hemlock looked almost completely covered on the north end, tomorrows wind should start breaking it up.... I Hope

[BRB23]

Wow, just wont let go huh!

 

Wind is howling out of the south right now.....  I'll keep the fingers crossed it pushes that ice off the lake

[BRB23]

Yep, canadice still 99% ice covered, Hemlock 97% ice covered.

[zackblain]

I was surprised to see hemlock still had ice on it, oh well maybe next weekend

[Nessmuk]

What's the latest on Canadice/Hemlock ice ?  

[zackblain]

I'm almost positive both are open now

[BRB23]

I'd agree. Was down Friday. Both lakes were mostly ice covered, but it was slush with a lot of holes. If not open now, after today they will be

[Nessmuk]

^{I'd agree. Was down Friday. Both lakes were mostly ice covered, but it was slush with a lot of holes. If not open now, after today they will be}

 

Still enough for ice fishing

 

I was hoping to fish today but other responsibilities got in the way not to mention the stiff wind out of the south.

 

Do these lakes have the feeding frenzy after ice out that I have read about?     Do you fish near surface or go down a bit?   

 

At this point I have rod holders set up but still have to figure out mount for sonar and battery.

[zackblain]

lakers will likely be deep and browns will probably be in the warm water

[Steve.e]

Lakers won't be too deep, near spawn for them also. Waters cold all over. Landlocks browns and rainbows will be cruisin near the top not too far off shore once ice is off. Rapalas and green or blue spoons seem to work well on flat lines . Add slip sinkers untill you find their depth. Probably no more than 5-15ft down. Planers will increase chances.

[GAMBLER]

Lakers won't be too deep, near spawn for them also. Waters cold all over. Landlocks browns and rainbows will be cruisin near the top not too far off shore once ice is off. Rapalas and green or blue spoons seem to work well on flat lines . Add slip sinkers untill you find their depth. Probably no more than 5-15ft down. Planers will increase chances.

Lakers spawn in October/November. When the water is cold, they will be found around structure and bait.

[Nessmuk]

I'm hoping to fish Canadice or Hemlock  on Friday with a bit of luck.    Unfortunately I will be fishing blind until I can get a sonar unit installed.   I have a Fishhawk  TD which I will use to look at temp.    I assume this early in the season the water temperature is pretty cold no matter the depth but water right on the bottom or in the shallows might be a tad warmer?     I was thinking of fishing in the surface to 15' range using a Sutton and a plug.    The plugs I have are quickfish in UV colors.    I plan on using a hotshot in line planer(s) to see how they work in getting the lure away from the boat.    I will have one DR set up but hesitate to use it without knowing depth.     I may try a slide diver or dipsy diver if all else fails.   Being new to this, I'll just have to see what I can do with what I have at this point.    I'll be happy to just get out on the water!

[zackblain]

If you're fishing blind, my recommendation would be go right to the middle, drop a sutton or other lightweight down on a downrigger til it hits bottom, crank it up a few feet and troll around 2mph. You will catch lake trout. 

[Nessmuk]

If you're fishing blind, my recommendation would be go right to the middle, drop a sutton or other lightweight down on a downrigger til it hits bottom, crank it up a few feet and troll around 2mph. You will catch lake trout. 

 

 

Zack, My concern is hitting bottom with the ball.   Is the bottom fairly smooth or are there big rocks/boulders sticking up.    Can't wait to get the sonar set up.  

[zackblain]

The bottom of the middle is smooth you shouldn't have an issue just touching the ball to the bottom and cranking it up quick. We drag bottom with 20oz weights on meat rods and rarely ever hang up.