Ice Out?

[Lotech Joe]

According to BobM in the lake reports, the ice is off of Downs Lake. Maybe Amber and Medical are next. I sure hope so.
:bounce: :bounce: :bounce: :bounce:

[raffensg64]

Medical is still iced up, although there is finally some melting around the edges. On the north end, where the road parallels the lake, there's 10-12 feet of open water off the bank. I haven't been to the south end in a couple of days, but I'm sure it's started there, too. The beach area is probably opening up (finally) where the city removed ice for the Polar Bear Plunge. In a couple days or so, an option may be to park in the park parking lot and hump a pontoon down to the beach (if you're crazy like me!!!). The shallow water off the beach and that western bank, where weedy, shallow water exists, should be a great place to dunk a blood worm.

I'm assuming the same slow melt is happening at Amber, maybe at even a quicker pace due to being located further south and closer to Downs. Heck, I'd go there if it had a larger trout population.

Hmmm.....I'm off tomorrow. Maybe it's time to investigate Fourth of July. Keep the faith fellas, the time is near!

[Marc Martyn]

Monday night there is suppose to be some rain followed up by 30 mph winds. That should help:cheers:

[raffensg64]

Yep, similar conditions on the south end. Most melting is occurring on the shallow west side, near the reeds and stumps where a lot of folks fish chironomids, and off the beach. Launch area not good, though, ice still up to the bank.

As Marc mentioned, today's strong winds should really help out.

P.S. So much for Fourth of July, I'm not too inclined to buck these weather conditions!

[raffensg64]

Well, here we are, 9 days since my last post...and Medical is still 80-90% covered with ice! That northeast corner which was open a few days ago, has a fresh thin layer. The open strips along the banks continue to refreeze every night as our temps drop in the 20s. There is a new open area, however, at the north end launch. It extends along the western bank until reaching the rocks where it really opens up. Southern end is still socked in except for the small band of open water at the banks and launch. With the forecast showing decreased temps for the next few days, the prospects are not good.

Thank goodness for Amber, which was nearly devoid of ice when I left yesterday afternoon. And it fished well, too!

[Lotech Joe]

Thanks raff.
I won't feel too bad about not fishing this weekend. Is there any news about Silver Lake. I'm a bit anxious about chasing some Tiger Muskies.

[Lotech Joe]

This Spring has me thinking of what Bearclaw Grizzlap said in the movie Jeremiah Johnson, when Jeremiah asked him what month it was. "I don't know. I'm sorry. March maybe. March is a muddy month down below. Good for farmers maybe. Winter stays long this high." Problem is, winter is over and 2000 feet in elevation isn't that high. Come on sunshine!

[raffensg64]

Hey Joe, Silver is worse off than Medical. I drove by it today and it was iced up as well.

North Silver is open, though. Problem is, I'm convinced that most trout aren't making it through the summers. It's a shallow lake that can't support them in the summer, in my opinion. 4-5 years ago it fished OK when it had deeper water. In 2003 and 2004 I could get 6-8 BIG rainbows every trip and the occasional "extra" brookie the state stocked. Last year I managed only 1 fish in three outings. If only the state would take that annual plant of 2000 fish and put them in Medical. Anyways....

I'm interested in seeing if some of Medical's tigers are pushing 24". Last year my partners and I got a couple in the 20-21" range and several more at 17-18". They are few and far between but could attain colossal status this year!

P.S. This weather is killing me! More snow again today, not much, but enough to tell us that winter just won't let go.

-Raff

[Marc Martyn]

Well, Mike Carey and I braved the elements Wed. morning and fished Medical for a few hours. It was cold, 28 degrees. The water temp was 38 degrees and open water was sparse. It was nice to be fishing again, but it was a bit uncomfortable.

When Mike gets back home, he will post a report with pictures we took. Stay tuned.