South Eastern Alberta Ice Reports

MuleyMonster · #1 12-12-2012, 09:50 AM

Just thought I would start a thread on our area of the province as I notice every year there are not much for reports. I plan on hitting the hard water most weekends unless there are family commitments. Since we have a different climate over here I thought it was deserved. I was not out this past weekend but as of the 1st there was no ice on Forty Mile, partially covered on Rattlesnake, Cavan had 6 inches and not sure what Elkwater, Reesor or Spruce had but I know people were fishing at Spruce so there should be enough to drill some holes.

Planning on hitting either, Rattlesnake, Cavan, Spruce or Elkwater this Saturday but would like to know the ice reports before heading out.

Has anyone been out to any of these other lakes this past week and what are the ice conditions.

riverfisher · #2 12-12-2012, 11:39 AM

Ive been on rattlesnake the last few weekends, ice is 10 inches last weekend so more than safe. If ur interested in havin some company at rattlesnake this weekend just lemme kno and we will set up a time to meet. I will be going saturday and sunday most likely

Sledhead71 · #3 12-12-2012, 11:58 AM

Was out at the park yesterday, Michelle was accupied with a couple trucks and shacks, not sure the depth yet, but there were units and people on the ice.

Best of luck on your hard water season

madatter · #4 12-12-2012, 12:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by riverfisher

Ive been on rattlesnake the last few weekends, ice is 10 inches last weekend so more than safe. If ur interested in havin some company at rattlesnake this weekend just lemme kno and we will set up a time to meet. I will be going saturday and sunday most likely

How's the fishing been?
I've had best luck for years on the Snake for the first couple weeks of ice...then it progressively gets worse,at least for pike.
Seems like fishing there has progressively gotten worse generally over the past few years.
And I spent a few hrs on Newell yesterday....10" or so in Jackfish Bay.
Fishing was slow but beautiful afternoon.

riverfisher · #5 12-12-2012, 06:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by madatter

How's the fishing been?
I've had best luck for years on the Snake for the first couple weeks of ice...then it progressively gets worse,at least for pike.
Seems like fishing there has progressively gotten worse generally over the past few years.
And I spent a few hrs on Newell yesterday....10" or so in Jackfish Bay.
Fishing was slow but beautiful afternoon.

Fishin at snake has been slowwwwww...... Last year we nailed em and this year ur lucky to catch a couple pike in a 8 hour day. Not sure wut the heck happened but ur right about the fishing getting worse, if you or anyone else on here feels adventorous i wud be willing to take u to lake X and try for some monster pike. Caught 10 pike over 10 pounds in the last 8 months there, personal best was caught there, 23 pounds. Only problem is the ice is sketchy their at best of times, but worth it for the quantity and size of pike, have had days their were ur herring wudnt hit the bottom and ud have another one on.
Never once been skunked and have fished that lake over the last 5 years. If ur interested shoot me a pm

whitetail Junkie · #6 12-12-2012, 07:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by riverfisher

Fishin at snake has been slowwwwww...... Last year we nailed em and this year ur lucky to catch a couple pike in a 8 hour day. Not sure wut the heck happened but ur right about the fishing getting worse, if you or anyone else on here feels adventorous i wud be willing to take u to lake X and try for some monster pike. Caught 10 pike over 10 pounds in the last 8 months there, personal best was caught there, 23 pounds. Only problem is the ice is sketchy their at best of times, but worth it for the quantity and size of pike, have had days their were ur herring wudnt hit the bottom and ud have another one on.
Never once been skunked and have fished that lake over the last 5 years. If ur interested shoot me a pm

Sounds like the Pike at Forty Mile are doing Good

Regarding Rattler ,for the most part its a shallow lake,besides the narrows and a couple deep spots....hot summers in that area are hard on big fish in shallow water.I havnt been out there yet this winter,but im sure my cousin and I will be going shortly,pics to come,we will show you how its done

WayneChristie · #7 12-12-2012, 07:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by whitetail Junkie

Sounds like the Pike at Forty Mile are doing Good

Regarding Rattler ,for the most part its a shallow lake,besides the narrows and a couple deep spots....hot summers in that area are hard on big fish in shallow water.I havnt been out there yet this winter,but im sure my cousin and I will be going shortly,pics to come,we will show you how its done

sounds like a jinx to me

I always hope to get skunked, sometimes it works, sometimes I get skunked

pikergolf · #8 12-12-2012, 07:47 PM

Sounds like the Pike at Forty Mile are doing Good
LOL I was thinking it but wasn't going to say it.

madatter · #9 12-12-2012, 07:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by whitetail Junkie

Sounds like the Pike at Forty Mile are doing Good

Regarding Rattler ,for the most part its a shallow lake,besides the narrows and a couple deep spots....hot summers in that area are hard on big fish in shallow water.I havnt been out there yet this winter,but im sure my cousin and I will be going shortly,pics to come,we will show you how its done

Hmmm
I've fished 40Mile a fair bit over the years and can't say I've ever cleaned up on pike,let alone big pike....walleye and burbot yup
Good luck with Snake...U will need it!

riverfisher · #10 12-12-2012, 07:56 PM

Haha the big pike in forty are few and far between compared to this lake x, i took my dad their and he was shocked to say the least. Hes 51 and im oly 19 and he told me he has never seen anything like it other than. way up north at one of the lodges that he guided for a a few summers. We catch allot of the smaller pike on lures, but the big girls i use large herring or half a half pound full sucker with homemade quick strike rigs, catch half as many little guys though with that setup, usually nothing under 5 pounds. This lake is well known around here, people under estimate the great fishing to be had because of excessive weed growth and shallow water aking it tricky to fish the lake

madatter · #11 12-12-2012, 07:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by riverfisher

Haha the big pike in forty are few and far between compared to this lake x, i took my dad their and he was shocked to say the least. Hes 51 and im oly 19 and he told me he has never seen anything like it other than. way up north at one of the lodges that he guided for a a few summers. We catch allot of the smaller pike on lures, but the big girls i use large herring or half a half pound full sucker with homemade quick strike rigs, catch half as many little guys though with that setup, usually nothing under 5 pounds. This lake is well known around here, people under estimate the great fishing to be had because of excessive weed growth and shallow water aking it tricky to fish the lake

I've got a pretty good idea which lake you talking about...

riverfisher · #12 12-12-2012, 08:08 PM

Im nervous as hell to go on the ice without another guy along. Ice is not thin or anything but it never gets nice clear ice like rattle or forty. But ive fished it on a few occasions in the winter and had awesome results

madatter · #13 12-12-2012, 08:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by riverfisher

Im nervous as hell to go on the ice without another guy along. Ice is not thin or anything but it never gets nice clear ice like rattle or forty. But ive fished it on a few occasions in the winter and had awesome results

Have to get out sometime....I work shift work tho so I tend to be out during the weekdays

riverfisher · #14 12-12-2012, 08:22 PM

My boss is a pretty good guy and will let me take off days if i let him kno a day ahead , So if ur free for a day or two in the next while shoot me a pm and we will try and arrange somethin

madatter · #15 12-13-2012, 02:28 PM

Went to Murray Lake today to chew some ice up on the bike and was surprised to see just a bit of open water still.
Decided to drive to Cavan instead.
Lots of guys fishing.... Looked to be 10 inches of ice.
Had a blast but it's a bit windy out

MuleyMonster · #16 12-16-2012, 01:18 PM

Was at Rattlesnake yesterday and there is 10 inches of ice. Big spot out in front of the boat launch that has open water and tons of geese on it. Ice was clear for the most parts but there were some areas that had some white ice and you could tell it was not safe to drive on yet. Fishing was slow with only 1 pike and a few small perch. Good luck out there

John_K · #17 12-16-2012, 09:01 PM

I was out at michelle on friday and there was an average of at least 8" on it. A foot in some, mostly closer to shore. The fishing was excellent out there. Drilled a dozen holes throughout the day and caught fish out of every one. Landed a couple big girls too! Well big for michelle haha

tacklerunner · #18 12-16-2012, 09:33 PM

Not quite that far east but the lake I fished this week had 10" ice on Monday, 12" on Wednesday, 13" yesterday & 14.5" today. Chinooks have been blowing through too. Gonna be a great ice season. Might wanna grab an auger extension before they're gone.

Good luck this season.

Fishfinder · #19 12-18-2012, 07:48 PM

Fish beware. I'm comin home.
Plan to hit Cavan, Greesor, n Mich. keep y'all posted.
Cheerios.
Will be walking on all lakes, I need the workout, I'm getting fat....ter

WayneChristie · #20 12-18-2012, 09:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fishfinder

Fish beware. I'm comin home.
Plan to hit Cavan, Greesor, n Mich. keep y'all posted.
Cheerios.
Will be walking on all lakes, I need the workout, I'm getting fat....ter

hey I have 10 days off starting Sunday, you got to come fish with me one of them. or maybe I will come down your way, no girlie fish though

Fishfinder · #21 12-19-2012, 01:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by WayneChristie

hey I have 10 days off starting Sunday, you got to come fish with me one of them. or maybe I will come down your way, no girlie fish though

I will be in touch Wayne. I plan to take extended vacation. Girly fish eh, hmm, u seem to have come around to the Walter world, now to get u on the trout...

madatter · #22 12-19-2012, 05:50 PM

Coming back from Coaldale picking up deer horns I swung by Snake....
Didn't see anyone fishing and there is still a large patch of open near the boat launch.

strungout · #23 12-24-2012, 06:06 PM

anyone had a peek at 40 mile lately?

whitetail Junkie · #24 12-25-2012, 05:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by madatter

Coming back from Coaldale picking up deer horns I swung by Snake....
Didn't see anyone fishing and there is still a large patch of open near the boat launch.

Any idea how the ice is around the sauder dam or the islands near the hutterites? Any open water out there in your travels?

whitetail Junkie · #25 12-25-2012, 05:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by strungout

anyone had a peek at 40 mile lately?

I wouldnt mind trying for some ling cod there this winter.a guy at work has a cabin out there and he caught a bunch.

brobinson · #26 12-25-2012, 08:34 PM

Cavan had about 10 inches when I was there a couple weeks ago. It's a little slower than last year but I still caught a few nice ones. Went to snake on Friday to the dam at the back sort of? If I'm explaining it correctly? There was 14 inches of ice there. Arms got tired drilling holes with my hand auger! No fish that day though. I seem to not have any luck when it comes to pike. Same with last year. If be willing to accept some tips if any bodies willing to give them!

whitetail Junkie · #27 12-28-2012, 07:01 PM

10-12" of ice on rattler near the sauder dam. Fishing was the chits,I only caught 6 small fish.

perch seeker · #28 12-28-2012, 11:38 PM

Was out at caven today, about 12 " of ice, guys had there 1/2 ton trucks parked on the ice, we walked the 20 ft to the honey hole, landed 8 trout , 19" the biggest, was a good day.

strungout · #29 12-29-2012, 11:22 AM

heading out to the cabin at 40mile today, i posted about this lake a couple days ago and didnt get any ice thickness or anything i would imagine it would be good to walk on by now... any help would be greatly appreciated thanks guys

madatter · #30 12-29-2012, 06:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by perch seeker

Was out at caven today, about 12 " of ice, guys had there 1/2 ton trucks parked on the ice, we walked the 20 ft to the honey hole, landed 8 trout , 19" the biggest, was a good day.

Cavan this morning ....12-14" of solid ice.
Fishing was excellent....lost a couple of bigger ones at the hole kept some 14"ers.