Priest, upper Priest ice

[KFhunter]

Real interested in fishing upper Priest camping on the ice, anyone done it?

I want lakers


Can I snowmobile the channel from the main lake?

[Ridgeratt]

Bead has mac's and lings.

[KFhunter]

I fished Bead at 0 dark, they got campground hosts locking everything up 

[TommyH]

How was the ice ? Was told a couple days ago it is questionable still, “don’t go past the power lines “ they said. I really want a Mac threw the ice.

[KFhunter]

Oh that was in the summer, it sucked they locked the gates to the boat launch and I got pissed, woke the host up at 3 am he was pissed too

I hate contracted 3rd party campgrounds



It might all be open for the off season ice fishing but I don't know 

[Ridgeratt]

Oh that was in the summer, it sucked they locked the gates to the boat launch and I got pissed, woke the host up at 3 am he was pissed too

I hate contracted 3rd party campgrounds



It might all be open for the off season ice fishing but I don't know 

Not sure if they plow the access to the launch. Anyone know?

[KFhunter]

I called the Newport ranger dist, left a voicemail.  They didn't answer. 

[Weatherby92]

I've been to bead a few times in the winter and the gate has always been closed. None of the roads are plowed open throughout the launch area. I haven't been there this year but thats how its been for the last 3 winters. We would just park at the county road and make the hike in through the public launch. Don't swet durring the hike in.

[KFhunter]

pretty good jaunt if the snow's are deep and you're pulling a camping trip size load

[Weatherby92]

Yup, that's the route. it's mostly downhill on the way in..... usually there's alot of foot traffic so there's a decent base to the snow.

[KFhunter]

Finally got ahold of someone who knew something about Priest lake,  not much for ice on priest and the channel is open water.  Ice only extends from the shore about 12 feet then its open water. 

Best way to fish is just in a boat.



As for Bead,  I was told no snowmobile allowed through the campground.   Not too bad of a hike if the snow is packed though.  Sounds like it gets fished

[TommyH]

Last year the line of rigs was a half mile long at the gate.

[Alchase]

My in-laws live at Desert Aire, I have been curious about Priest Lake in front of Desert Aire, because I have never seen anyone fishing it out of all the times I have been the to visit.

Is there a decent fishery there?

[metlhead]

Different Priest lake, but yes  the fishing is really good.

[hunter399]

The time window is growing thin on the ice fishing ,if you know what I mean. : 

I haven't look at forecast ,but I thought colder temps where coming back soon.
You guys know the cycle....
Super cold
Snow
Warm up
Back to cold which is about now.

[Timberstalker]

As for the lowlands and valleys, winter is over.  Months of good snow left for the mountains, but the Columbia Basin and Palouse are done with winter. You can take that to the bank.

Best of luck finding ice, to all of you.