By Bryce Neilson
Bear Laker's
Bear Laker's
Bear Lake is totally ice covered. Normal winter weather has returned. Lots of people think that it has been extra
cold this winter but this has been typical in the past. In 2007 the lake froze around the same time
and it was the last time anglers were able to dip Bonneville cisco through the
ice. The lake froze again in February
2008 an stayed frozen until May.
Now is the time. If
you have never have dip netted cisco before or if it has been years, do it
through the ice. You don't get wet, the
fish aren't spooky and even the kids can do it.
Just find a hole off Cisco Beach, bring or borrow a cisco net and start
dippin'. It is best first thing in the
morning but during the peak of the run they spawn all day. You can even put a lure without hooks down
the hole and jig it to attract fish that you can then dip. This is the best technique for kids. At times, you can catch a lot of fishing in a
hurry so don't get carried away throwing fish out on the ice or you may receive
a visit from the friendly game warden who has been watching you through a
spotting scope up on the road. Once the
fish are on the ice you can't put them back.
You have to have a current fishing license which allows you to catch 30
fish but remember, you can only catch your fish, not Mom's who sitting in the
vehicle or the 18 month old baby. The
same friendly warden will give you a ticket for the over limit of fish
"you" take out of the hole which usually cost at least a $1 apiece in
fines.
Bear Lake Cisco |
Scott Tolentino, Bear Lake Fisheries Biologist, with one of 8 fish caught in one day. |
Don't take more fish than you want. Many people feel that it is their
responsibility to catch limits and then find out it is a pain in the butt to
clean 100 cisco. When they get tired of
cleaning (usually around 20) they think that they will save the rest for
bait. Well, most people never use them
and they go out to the cats or in the garbage in the spring. What a terrible fate for these beautiful
endemic fish. Leave what you don't need
in the lake.
So have fun, take pictures and don't step into any holes
that have a thin sheet of ice on them.
After you get some cisco go into deeper water or off shore and fish for
whitefish and trout. It is the best time
of the year and you don't need a boat.
Good luck,
Bryce
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