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Fish: Brook Trout

Ice Brookies

Post By: Outdoor Addict      Posted: 12/19/2019 6:43:41 AM     Points: 24    
I grew up in a small mountain community, can't even call it a town, and know of several back country lakes that back in the day were loaded with brook trout. I used to fish these in the summer with the fly rod and you could always count on a 30 fish day with 6-10" brookies. Something I never tried however was snowshoeing in and trying to get some through the ice.

Just curious if anyone has some experience on catching brookies through the ice at higher elevations. Just curious as to depth and bait choices. I have plenty of experience icing stocker trout and warm water fish in the low lands but really want to give these brookies a try over the holidays.

I appreciate any help i can get.

-Kyle
 Reply by: Goosehunter82      Posted: 12/19/2019 7:43:39 AM     Points: 50892    
My buddy has a beaver pond on his property on the top of kanosha pass. We have iced it in the past. Usually the fish are super hungry so the eat everything.
 Reply by: shiverfix      Posted: 12/19/2019 8:45:18 AM     Points: 3732    
I haven't hiked into any high altitude lakes, but have iced some of the easier access ponds with brookies. My experience has been tube jigs and small pink ice jigs with waxies tend to work very well. I've also jigged kasties with varying success.
 Reply by: Troutbisquits      Posted: 12/19/2019 9:45:30 AM     Points: 180    
Get yourself some VMC tungsten ice flies. I use them for great success with brookies. You can tip with a waxy or a mealworm, but often don't need to.

Here is a video I made icing Brookies in November.

[log in for link]
 Reply by: Outdoor Addict      Posted: 12/19/2019 11:25:59 AM     Points: 24    
Bisquits
I know that lake well that you fished in the video. The ponds I want to try are the same elevation and not too far from there, but way less popular all year long. How deep are you fishing? From the amount you are reeling doesn't look like the fish are very deep.

Thank you to the others for help. I pretty well assumed the brookies under ice act like brookies in May where they will eat about anything that wiggles in their face.
 Reply by: nworden      Posted: 12/19/2019 11:59:15 AM     Points: 0    
I try to get to a handful of alpine lake trips in the season. Added skis to the sled to make for easier pulling up the forest roads, put on the skins to make for easier walking

Usually anything form 5-15ft of water has been good, and yeah, they usually crush it as soon as the come up on the Vex

Also, usually not another sole to be seen, so thats nice