Northwest Fishing Reports

Time for the next round of ice reports. This year will probably lack some of the ice we usually get, but hey one can hope we get some. As always, be safe and catch fish. Please post reports of ice thickness in your area and whether you wet a line or not.
Thanks everyone.

I'm hoping to get out and try my hand at ice fishing this year, maybe even get a video made out of it.

It's a blast! If you make it to the east side let me know I would be glad to show you a few spots.

I may just do that. Are you Central WA or eastern?

Oh, just saw all your reports from Eloika, cool, I mean COLD!

I am in Spokane, but if Moses Lake or other central lake freeze we like to travel too.

I used to ice fish every year in Utah, and I'm itching to take my scout troop this year. Since we're in Bellevue it'll be a bit of a drive, but I think maybe I can make it into an overnighter. Can anyone recommend to me the closest lakes to western WA that will (typically) still have a good ice layer in February, so I know which ones to watch?

Fish Lake in Plain is your best bet. I grew up in southeastern Idaho and it's had the best ice since I've moved here. Moses lake wasn't bad either but the fishing was a little slow whenever I'd go last year

X2 =Fish lake. for a scout troop would be an excellent choice. plenty of perch and trout

I just went out to fourth of July lake Wednesday n the water level is 5 feet lower(granted last time I was here was 20-25 years ago) is this normal?? I'm just getting back into fishing... Anyway I digress, when you walk down the public access you got about half mile walk of shoreline to reach open water. The part that is frozen looked iffy cause of water along the edge, never ice fished n I'm fat so not risking it! I was there from 1 to 4pm n they were biting, first one was 13-15 inches but it spit it out right at the shore(forgot my net, was too excited to go fishing even left my needle nose for hook removal, improvised with a pair of speaker wire stripers) my second measured out at 13 inches, and my last one was 22 inches n weighed just over three pounds. Worth the drive from Spokane.

Just checked the webcam for Fish Lake and even though it's still pretty early the ice is starting to form with this last storm. Definitely wont last but still good to see it starting.

Looks like a new site for Fish Lake web cam: http://www.lookr.com/lookout/1268964748 ... n-play-day" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
Nine days of ice on the lake, no one walking out there that I could see. Bonaparte, being at a higher elevation, may have safe ice, IDK.

http://forecast.weather.gov/MapClick.ph ... KP2T9LF_fI" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
Tonight is going to be cold! Two degrees is the forecast.

Talked to a friend who lives year round at Waitts lake in Stevens county, He said the ice was just starting to form

Was wondering if anyone has been to Fourth of July yet to see how the ice is. Was thinking about ice fishing this weekend.

Planning on driving up to fish lake tomorrow and investigate. I'll give feedback. Happy New Year everyone!

i am also thinking about scouting Fish lake tomorrow- if i get another project done first

Pulling up a photo from the fish lake web-cam, I see one hole and foot prints close to the boat docks.

Potholes is just now getting to the point where the icebreakers won't venture out.

Upper valley I-82's are getting about an inch or a bit more as of today.

Checked out Fish Lake... To my surprise about 25 people were fishing. I got up there late at around 11 and only fished a couple hours and caught a couple decent Perch and a couple sculpin. The fishing was slow I'm assuming cause of the time of day. The ice is pretty spotty and definitely need to take caution on it still. I was only able to get out about 75-100 yards out of the cove. The ice was 5-7inches thick but only one spot was completely solid that I found. Most of the lake you'll auger down 3 inches, hit water, and then auger thru another 2 inches. Overall though it was exciting to get out there.