Freeze up / Ice fishing

[DrakeKill]

Hadn't really done it before, wanted to give it a try, mostly just looking for the experience is all...

what water bodies typically ice up thick enough for it and general timeframe?

[Skyvalhunter]

what area are you interested in?

[DrakeKill]

in general, WA  - if i had to have a preference for travel time, central wa.

[10thmountainarcher]

I see people fishing Moses lake a lot when I drive through.

[Skyvalhunter]

Usually Fish lake will freeze up but we haven't had cold enough weather

[Angry Perch]

Usually Fish lake will freeze up but we haven't had cold enough weather

 
Id say for the first timer, Fish Lake is a great choice. Lot's of (usually) cooperative perch and trout, beautiful area, easy access.

[Angry Perch]

Drake, here is a link to a Fish Lake webcam. You can see when it ices over, and you'll see people on it once there is ice.

***As always, don't take some folks being out on the ice as evidence of safe ice***


https://lakewenatcheeinfo.com/fishlake-webcam/

[Ridgeratt]

Not sure if this will work, But here we go.

https://www.google.com/maps/d/viewer?mid=1eSzzh-3gtChSxBYXzOl8OjOgkqeU0pNt&shorturl=1&ll=47.83738295885157%2C-119.72775014999999&z=7

[DrakeKill]

Not sure if this will work, But here we go.

https://www.google.com/maps/d/viewer?mid=1eSzzh-3gtChSxBYXzOl8OjOgkqeU0pNt&shorturl=1&ll=47.83738295885157%2C-119.72775014999999&z=7

oh nice, thanks for sharing that Ridgeratt! I see some green dots already; wasnt thinking there'd be much of an option until closer to January, guess i better sharpen my skates and go find an auger

[C-Money]

Thanks for the links!!

[WSU]

How easy is it to go to Fish Lake and catch perch?  I'd like to take the kiddos over and give it a shot.  I can figure the gear out easy enough but I'm curious how hard it is to locate the fish.

[C-Money]

We have been there a few times. Always had my kids. Always caught fish! Perch & Rainbows...pretty fun.

[Dhoey07]

How easy is it to go to Fish Lake and catch perch?  I'd like to take the kiddos over and give it a shot.  I can figure the gear out easy enough but I'm curious how hard it is to locate the fish.

Catching the first one is always the hardest.  Drop down to the bottom and reel up a couple turns with a swedish pimple or a small jig head with a couple maggots.  After you catch one, pop its eyeball out and use that.  Perch eyes are the best bait by far. 

[NRA4LIFE]

You can also cut up a small one into strips and use the meat for bait.  If you get the hook through the hide it will last for many fish.

[Jingles]

Solid 5+ Inches of ice on several lakes here in Okanogan county, need at least another 3 before you want drive on it to be safe but plenty safe for walking and pulling a sled. Been out once on an untried lake without success and going again tomorrow and taking my 7new toy thanks to a trade of ammo for a fish flasher. For perch a hot bait is the eyes of previously caught perch start with wax worms/maggots or pieces of night crawlers and drill lots of holes for fast action when it starts.