2020/2021 Cold Lake Ice and Fishing Reports

[Egymcara]

Originally Posted by Captainkip

Oh so sorry. I didn’t realize that looking at the lake from my living room window everyday and reporting on its state was not good enough for you. It froze. It snowed and on the 28th the whole lake was white as the ice was covered in snow. Last night the wind came up and opened a section in the middle.

I never stated that it would not open up in sections or that the pressure cracks wouldn’t open or any thing. I stated that it froze over.

I actually appreciate any ice updates! I'm just trying to keep people informed. There is open water on some shorelines as far as the eye can see, has nothing to do with ice moving in the middle. I'd upload photos but this site has horrible image standards.

[58thecat]

wind plays a huge factor on big bodies of water...calm and a little bit of ice/snow and it is froze over and then a slight breeze and it gets pushed open again....either way French bay is 6-8" of good ice but as you head out more so to the big body that is sketchy ice....myself I would stick in that area for now and if I was to adventure out I would be doing a lot of drilling/measuring....

https://apps.sentinel-hub.com/sentin...howDates=false


I use this too when checking for ice cover etc...

[eman]

is this lake safe to go now ? and how far i can walk out. i always fishing 70'-90' of water by marina bay or provincial park.

[eman]

anyone know its legal to smoke weed in tent ?

[58thecat]

Originally Posted by eman

is this lake safe to go now ? and how far i can walk out. i always fishing 70'-90' of water by marina bay or provincial park.

[58thecat]

Originally Posted by eman

anyone know its legal to smoke weed in tent ?

Ahhh today is a new day....figure a little out today and forget a little bit of yesterday....but looking towards the future

[Binati]

Due to the wife calving early March going to be trying to get on before February. With the assumption the bays will be froze thicker is there any lake trout in the bays? We pull the trailer out and sleep in it.

[58thecat]

Originally Posted by Binati

Due to the wife calving early March going to be trying to get on before February. With the assumption the bays will be froze thicker is there any lake trout in the bays? We pull the trailer out and sleep in it.

Not in the back bays but in French Bay out front of the ski hill there are lots of Lakers. If the ice is not thick enough you can stay on the ice near the launch at French Bay and then scoot out from there but I got a feeling the ice will be thick enough.

[58thecat]

There was a guy that walked out from the provincial park launch today a few hundred yards out. There even was a small compact car on the ice out front of the Ski Hill area in French Bay. A few sleds and quads too....The car kinda got my attention

[eman]

Originally Posted by 58thecat

There was a guy that walked out from the provincial park launch today a few hundred yards out. There even was a small compact car on the ice out front of the Ski Hill area in French Bay. A few sleds and quads too....The car kinda got my attention

any update ?

[Egymcara]

Originally Posted by eman

any update ?

Fishing is slow, ice is loud, lots of people in french bay, lake is 100% froze over.

[eman]

Originally Posted by Egymcara

Fishing is slow, ice is loud, lots of people in french bay, lake is 100% froze over.

thanks. hows marina bay ? is there people driving on the lake yet ?

[Brodhead]

The trout were feeling bitey today in French bay. Pretty steady action all day including a couple on the dead stick. 8 inches of ice near the shore. Still only 6-7" closer to the middle and mouth.

Sent from my SM-G950W using Tapatalk

[Egymcara]

Originally Posted by eman

thanks. hows marina bay ? is there people driving on the lake yet ?

Small vehicles driving on French bay, nobody driving on main lake yet. Ice will be a few weeks away yet before the main is driveable. Marina will be walkable shortly, only takes 1 brave soul.

[58thecat]

Was out yesterday....what a start to the new year....drove the quad out with all our gear to a marked summer location....set up camp....140' of water...7" of ice...TC Moto with a 4" herring on and it was game time....twenty minutes and the wife was on...a gooder lost at the hole........but we managed six more and lost three.....had one double header and the lines got crossed so we did the ice hut jig trying to figure out who's fish is more important to get up....her fish was nice....mine got off
All our bites were at the 120' mark....lots of chasers but would only take the moto down deep....odd but can't complain
The ice in French Bay is pristine as it was a good freeze over....easy to travel on with barely any snow on it.
As we worked our way out and we were the ones the furthest out we drilled to ensure safe ice...12"...10"...as we ventured out further....5" where the jaw jacket was but we settled for more thicker ice to sit on....lake thunder made us pucker a few times too

[Smoky buck]

Wrong thread

[Sparkle]

Guys I've tried googling French bay for directions and google comes up blank. Is it the upper or lower French bay provincial park ? Or how do I get there . I know where Cold lake provincial park is .

[eman]

Originally Posted by Sparkle

Guys I've tried googling French bay for directions and google comes up blank. Is it the upper or lower French bay provincial park ? Or how do I get there . I know where Cold lake provincial park is .

i think its rr631A boat lunch . hows ice ?

[35 whelen]

Originally Posted by eman

i think its rr631A boat lunch . hows ice ?

Theres 2 ways to get there look up the ski hill

[Sparkle]

Thanks guys. Is the ski hill name Kinosoo?

[58thecat]

yes...Kinosoo ski hill...two areas to access the lake....tight lines.

[eman]

Originally Posted by 58thecat

yes...Kinosoo ski hill...two areas to access the lake....tight lines.

hi can you post couple spot on google map where can access lake ? thinking head down tomorrow .

[58thecat]

Originally Posted by eman

hi can you post couple spot on google map where can access lake ? thinking head down tomorrow .

https://www.google.ca/maps/place/Col...4d-110.1732522

Give this a whirl...was another awesome day out there...same spot but this time I out fished my wife this time.... Broke my fav ice fishing rod ....I call it stumpy now.....play the fish...don't horse'em in.

[Lowrance Fishburn]

Anybody have any updates on Calling lake? Supposed to head up next weekend, getting some mixed reviews on ice thickness. Planning on taking the half ton and hauling a 6x12 trailer converted to an ice shack. Wanna make sure she’s safe if anyone has any recent first hand updates. Cheers

[Lowrance Fishburn]

Whoops wrong thread ^

[58thecat]

Originally Posted by eman

thanks. hows marina bay ? is there people driving on the lake yet ?

People out walking and there was a skidoo out too...not sure if ice thickness though.

[58thecat]

20210102_184451.jpg

Jigging spoons...Len Thompson N0.2 custom ordered glow addition white/green/orange was hot....bang bottom....reel up a few cranks...jig.....BAM...stupid fun

[lromanchuk]

Originally Posted by 58thecat

Attachment 169951

Jigging spoons...Len Thompson N0.2 custom ordered glow addition white/green/orange was hot....bang bottom....reel up a few cranks...jig.....BAM...stupid fun

Do you run a stinger off your spoons?

[58thecat]

Originally Posted by lromanchuk

Do you run a stinger off your spoons?

nope...just straight up dirty lenny….pinched barbs though.

[lromanchuk]

What flashers are you guys running on Cold? I currently have a Marcum Vx-1i and its definitely passed its capabilities when I'm fishing 115+ feet.. it works, but not well.

Im considering upgrading, but would like to know what unit if any gives clear separation of bottom, hook, fish, etc.. Mine has about a 8-12 inch "hole" at the bottom before it'll pick up my jig.