Ice Report 1/10/1-11 Boca, Stampede, Davis and Frenchman lakes.

Well, I didn't do much reporting last year, so this year I'm going to try and do more. Unfortunately no fish porn, but for guys heading out this way it might save you some gas. Unless you just want to do some ice fishing?

Last Saturday I headed out to Stampede to try and get an early kok or mac and there was still a bit of snow/ ice on the road in the shady areas. It got a bit worse as I got closer and when I crossed the dam I could see a lot of ice out there    . As of last Saturday, there wasn't any at the dam, but now, who knows? I made it to the ramp and could see there was ice out about 1/3 into the lake. After checking it out, it was pretty solid. Didn't see a safe way to launch or get back in. I saw a frozen Rapala or trophy stick in the water and I walked out a few feet for a pic, but there was cracking so I headed back. So overall, last week I'd say it was about 1/2 froze.

This Saturday, I was heading back from Cali and took the turn off for Stampede and stopped at Boca. Last week it had some open areas, but looked fully froze this week. There was even some ice fishing going on. Decided to pass on going the rest of the way to Stampede thinking it had to be worse.

Still wanting to kayak fish, I decided today to head north and try Davis. On the way I stopped to take a picture of some deer. Looking at pictures now, I'm thinking may be antelope? I get to Davis and it's fully froze. At Honker Cove it actually looks pretty thick. Drove up to Mallard Cove and it was thinner, but froze. Oh well, wasn't meant to be. Heading home I said what the hell, let's check out Frenchman lake. Dam area and all around the lake are froze, with about 1/3 in the middle open. While there I decided to be useful and do my first trash cleanup of the year. Also cleared some nasty rocks that were in the road just after a blind cure. That wouldn't have been a fun day for someone.

Wish I had fish porn, but it was still fun to get out and explore a bit on some nice days. I guess I'll half to wait a few more weeks for trout.

A few more from Frenchman.

thanks for the intel

Yes those are pronghorn antelope and I appreciate the clean up effort of our country side.

Time to buy an ice auger.  Cool pics Scott.
Aaron

Good job on the report and the community support activity.

Time to buy an ice auger.

If you make it to Shelter Cove I may be able to hook you up.

 

Thanks for picking up other peoples trash.  We need more people like you and less of those bastards that throw out trash on the side of the road.

Cool report and great pics too. I don't know if I'd icefish Boca, but I've scoped Prosser for icefishing and saw about a dozen folks out there once.

Time to buy an ice auger.  Cool pics Scott.
Aaron

Okay Aaron how does the auger work? Do we just make enough holes so we can get our kayaks in the water and start jigging?   

Pronghorn Antelope, cool. Hope I get a chance to get closer to some, so i can get some better pics.

Pat I made a few trips to Prosser this year and the trout aren't very inspiring. They are easy to troll for there, but they are in that 10.5 to 13" range mostly. I think my best was like 15." Worst of all they are super nasty. They don't just have all the growths on them, they have chucks out of them, bruises and they generally make you just want to throw them back. I just don't think there was much fresh water coming in last year and it kind of made it a pond. Not good. On the other side, the hard heads (not sure what they actually are), are doing very well.  I probably caught about 8-9 of the little "grunters."

You covered a lot of ground Scott!  Too bad about the ice.  You gotta head over this way.  No ice and the fish are nice  .

BTW, that fish in the last picture is a Tui chub.  Aggressive buggers.

Okay Aaron how does the auger work? Do we just make enough holes so we can get our kayaks in the water and start jigging?   

That made me laugh!!! Great visual!

Thanks for sharing your mini adventure, nice pics and Great Job trashn'.  Have yet to make a yak fishn' trip this year but your report and pics helped. Ice should be thinning even more before the next fronts roll in.   Nice to see ya postin' again.

All lakes I hope to fish someday soon! Thanks for the virtual tour. Sorry you didn't get to fish.

Okay Aaron how does the auger work? Do we just make enough holes so we can get our kayaks in the water and start jigging?   

That made me laugh!!! Great visual!

I was thinking we drag out yaks out auger a hole next them, sit down in the yak and get to jigging.  AOTY legal.  Hey, I'm from western NY I am not afraid of a little snow and ice.   

and I think we will be coming for a visit sometime this year Chris.

Aaron

Anyone know if ice sub freezing -10 ect  tempatures cause plastic kayaks to shatter?