Slave Lake ice conditions

[horpensky]

Can anybody give an update on current ice conditions and access on Slave Lake? Can you get on and around at either Joussard or Canyon Creek with a 4x4 truck? And has it been slow for walleye like elsewhere in the province?

Thanks.

[Worm]

At Joussard right now. Ice is good 20+ inches and growing. Only a few inches of snow with the odd drift. People are driving everywhere. Few pressure ridges but there are crossings. Some Snow forecasted tonight though.

Fishing...... it's a grind. Managed a few today but very slow. Friday was slowest I've ever seen. Bit better today but still a very light bite at best.

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[AlbertanGP]

My son talked to his best fishing friend on the way home from our outing today. He's fishing at Joussard and said it was brutal. And I know this kid can catch fish...

[Cigarguy]

Just curious why you guys think the fishing is so bad? Seems to me that most everyone at the larger common larger lakes are reporting the the fishing is bad.

[AlbertanGP]

Originally Posted by Cigarguy

Just curious why you guys think the fishing is so bad? Seems to me that most everyone at the larger common larger lakes are reporting the the fishing is bad.

Because Slave Lake is an overhyped shadow of it's former self. I lived in Slave Lake in the late 90's and had property at Joussard from 2006 to 2017. I personally witnessed the decline and left.

Oh...you meant this ice season in general. Seasonal patterns are off due to the odd weather this winter would be my guess.

[Cigarguy]

Originally Posted by AlbertanGP

Because Slave Lake is an overhyped shadow of it's former self. I lived in Slave Lake in the late 90's and had property at Joussard from 2006 to 2017. I personally witnessed the decline and left.

Oh...you meant this ice season in general. Seasonal patterns are off due to the odd weather this winter would be my guess.

Thanks. Was just curious and hope this year is an odd ball year.

Got some friends who got some property in Lesser Slave Lake. We are planning on visiting them a few times this year and planning on doing some fishing. With my fishing abilities (or lack thereoff) the fish are doing a happy dance hearing that.

[horpensky]

Thanks for the replies. Ugh, was considering going up during the week this week, but maybe I should just save myself the trip and go somewhere closer to not catch fish...

[Worm]

I've been using my sonar (forgot the camera) and the fish are there. Lots coming and looking. Just not many comiting to bites. So it is at least encouraging to know they are there. Just need to figure out what they want.

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[Jims83cj5]

Originally Posted by Worm

I've been using my sonar (forgot the camera) and the fish are there. Lots coming and looking. Just not many comiting to bites. So it is at least encouraging to know they are there. Just need to figure out what they want.

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Have you tried the tiniest jig you have, perch sized with a small minnow

[lucaslogan]

Was there Wednesday to Friday and fishing was really slow, a couple of big pressure cracks close to boat launch and a few further out, be careful and scout them out before crossing

[horpensky]

Originally Posted by lucaslogan

Was there Wednesday to Friday and fishing was really slow, a couple of big pressure cracks close to boat launch and a few further out, be careful and scout them out before crossing

Thanks. Was this at Joussard or Canyon?

[Brodhead]

Originally Posted by Worm

I've been using my sonar (forgot the camera) and the fish are there. Lots coming and looking. Just not many comiting to bites. So it is at least encouraging to know they are there. Just need to figure out what they want.

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Garlic fried shrimp on a small jig

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[Georgias daddy]

Was out Friday night to Sunday morning. It was slow Friday night till 10:30pm then it turned on till 2 am both walleye and burbs. Saturday morning had tons of pike roll through and one big Burb 80 cm. It slowed again Saturday afternoon and evening to a crawl. Just 1 bite Saturday night. A keeper walleye late Saturday night. And a couple burbs Sunday morning. I packed up at 9 am and headed home. I noticed on my livescope the pattern of the larger walleye crawl in light bite and pull never really taking it in there mouths. No chance to set a hook! I only got hits on small jig and minnow combo.

[horpensky]

Never did make it up earlier, but thinking of going this week. Any recent updates on ice/access/bite? Can we still drive on?

[Jays toyz]

Access at cutbank is good. A car came cruising by my tent yesterday at 50 kph. Wow did the ice pop.

Fishing was good until yesterday. Now all I am seeing on camera is whitefish. Haven't had a sniff in like 6 hours

[muzzy]

out at canyon on wed 16th Fishing slow few drifts maybe 12 to 14 inches that had a real oatmeal texture if broke through that could / did hang us up twice but most of lake had only couple inches snow and as day progressed snow melted a fair bit so should be easy travel now. Very steep ice hill leaving the Canyon Creek marina you dont notice it going on ice but you sure as heck do leaving lake

[horpensky]

^^ what he said. Was also at Canyon Creek and the hump at the marina rocked the bottom of the truck both ways for us. Was mostly no problem driving around once on the ice, but that launch area is going to be a mess shortly.

Still over 24" of ice. Fishing during the day was really slow, but burbot bite at night was decent.

[ab_hunter]

Regulations for 2022 out, Slave 1 walleye between 45-50cm and 0 pike retention.