Fish Explorer Logo
Colorado
Colorado Fishing FishExplorer.com
 Colorado Fishing  
Login Usr:Psd:
No account? Register now...
 
spacer spacer
spacer
Go back to Main FxR Forum listings
Lake: Island Lake (Grand Mesa)
Fish: Splake

First Ice

Post By: Wmdunker      Posted: 12/8/2014 6:35:18 AM     Points: 475    
Trekked up to Island Lake yesterday and was surprised to find it fully capped. About 6 inches of ice on east end with only about 3-4 inches of snow cover and a few slushy spots. Arrived at 7:30 am and started catching fish right away. Caught mostly splake with a few rainbows. Splake were mostly 10-14 inches and skinny. I wonder if the lake is being over stocked? Things really slowed down by 10 am. The best producer for me was a white curly tail grub with a small piece of sucker meat. Caught most fish at about 15 feet, but did get a couple much deeper, around 35 ft. Sorry no pics.
 Reply by: Fisherguyd      Posted: 12/10/2014 7:25:16 AM     Points: 105
Good report, thanks, will be up there this coming weekend
 Reply by: Wmdunker      Posted: 12/10/2014 8:14:09 AM     Points: 475
I plan to go back in the next day or so myself.
 Reply by: yard dogs      Posted: 12/10/2014 8:56:14 AM     Points: 747
How much snow is up there around the lake?
 Reply by: Wmdunker      Posted: 12/10/2014 9:16:03 AM     Points: 475
Less than 2 feet. The trail from the Highway to the lake is well packed. There had not been any snow machines on the ice as of last Sunday.
 Reply by: CoachK      Posted: 12/10/2014 10:28:36 AM     Points: 144
You can catch more at Island with a ratfinke tipped with a little shrimp. Most good fishing at Island comes in about 30-35 ft of water but having a flasher as they are all up and down the water column.

I love splake and most we caught this summer were the same 12-15" with a few smaller ones sprinkled in. I love how they hit ice fishing compared to the rainbows. Also if you are having subtle bites it is the brookies messing with you. They love split shot and swivels. hahah
 Reply by: Fisherguyd      Posted: 12/10/2014 11:29:04 AM     Points: 105
Does anyone know how the road from the highway to the boat ramp is?
 Reply by: CoachK      Posted: 12/11/2014 9:12:24 AM     Points: 144
unless you have a snow machine it is closed. It is groomed to be a snow machine trail
 Reply by: Fisherguyd      Posted: 12/11/2014 10:05:47 AM     Points: 105
So I take it the road to Deep Ward Lake is probably also closed. I usually fish with my wife who was in an accident and she can't really walk too far especially in the snow but would love to catch a Splake or Laker but not quite trusting any ice that is forming on Blue Mesa at this point.
 Reply by: CoachK      Posted: 12/12/2014 8:37:54 AM     Points: 144
No you can get to Deep Ward's inlet. They plow the road to Alexander Lake Lodge however finding a place to park would be your issue I think.
Operation Game Thief
Call to report illegal fishing/hunting:
1-877-265-6648
(1-877-COLO-OGT)
or:
Email CPW
 
×

Info