By Mike Radice
January 30, 2012
One of the biggest pleasures behind ice fishing is the constant variety of fish available all from one hole.
In a previous article we talked about using sonar to graph water depth and fish activity anywhere on a lake. That fish activity, represented by inverted lines or fish symbols, means an angler has the chance of catching a wide variety of fish from any location on the water, too.
During a trip to Pelican Lake last winter, about 30 miles west of Vernal, in northeastern Utah, anglers were lucky enough to hook and successfully land both largemouth bass and pan-sized bluegill from the same hole they cut in the ice.
Ice conditions on the reservoir were very good. With a thickness between 18 and 20 inches throughout the lake, there was plenty of safe ice to walk on and work every lure and bait in the tacklebox.
The sonar, or fishfinder worked well to locate the right depth to start working the fish. Once a wave of activity was identified on the graph, seconds later those same fish began the age-old ritual of tantalizing and stripping bait from hooks. A subtle bite one time was a hard hit the next to nearly dragging the small ice rod down the hole and into the lake.
At other lakes and reservoirs throughout Utah anglers can also enjoy the same type of variety and challenge. Pineview offers yellow perch, black crappie, smallmouth bass, catfish, and tiger muskie, all available throughout the lake.
Further south northern pike and yellow perch are possible at Yuba Reservoir. Tiger trout, rainbow trout and cutthroats reside at Huntington North in southeastern Utah.
Many southern Utah waters remain ice free during winter. It’s important to remember though that water temperatures are cooler so the fish will react accordingly. Slower presentation and traditional baits work best.
