Want to learn how to ice fish from an Idaho expert? Here’s your chance!
.jpg "Want to learn to ice fish? Visit tightlines208.com for more information on fishing expert Jordan Rodriguez’s classes.")
Ice fishing season is off to an early start across much of southern Idaho! This is one of my favorite times of year, and we anglers are fortunate to have lots of ice fishing destinations within driving distance from the Treasure Valley.
If you’re new to ice fishing or want to take your skills to the next level, be sure to check out my next Tight Lines 208 class, Ice Fishing 101. Participants will get the inside scoop on ice fishing safety, gear, tackle, destinations, helpful tips and more, along with a tackle starter kit. Ice Fishing 101 will be held Wednesday, Jan. 18, from 6 to 9 p.m. at the Hilton Garden Inn Boise Spectrum. For details and registration, visit www.tightlines208.com. I’ll see you there!
We already have fishable ice on several Idaho lakes. Here’s an early-season ice report as of Dec.1:
Lake Cascade: This trophy perch fishery had fishable ice in November, which is rare. The north end of the lake freezes first, and anglers have been catching perch on the Donnelly side already. Perch-colored jigs tipped with mealworms, tiger worms or cut bait are the ticket.
Horsethief Reservoir: This popular fishery has about six inches of ice near the boat ramp, where the lake is shallower (I’d give it another week before fishing the deeper water near the dam). Horsethief is a fun place to catch pan-sized rainbow trout.
Magic Reservoir: Magic has capped and the ice will be fishable soon (a few brave souls have already ventured out). Thanks to ongoing drought conditions, I’m not expecting a perch fishery this season, but Magic always has some nice trout.
Henrys Lake: This eastern Idaho trophy trout lake is an early freezer. It has nearly a foot of ice already, and anglers are catching some nice cutthroat and brook trout. There’s a lot of snow covering the dirt roads that surround the lake, so access is pretty tough. Drive cautiously!
As always with early-season ice fishing, drill test holes as you go and stay safe out there. Tight lines!
Jordan Rodriguez has been fishing Idaho waters since he was a teen. Share your fish stories, adventures and questions with him at tightlinesboise@gmail.com, or visit www.tightlines208.com for the latest local fishing reports and upcoming class offerings.
This story was originally published December 5, 2022 at 8:39 AM with the headline "Want to learn how to ice fish from an Idaho expert? Here’s your chance!."