Epic E-Lake Hard Deck Adventure!

[Tyler_T]

As I headed up the top this morning I really didn't like the look of the low hanging clouds on the mountain. I knew today would be an epic day adventure! As I started up the canyon the roads weren't bad at all until about 8000 feet. They became snow packed at that point so I took my time getting to the lake. I was really glad I brought the quad when I arrived at the entrance to the lake. The snow plows have plowed a lot of snow up right at the beginning of the dirt road. I backed up to the snow bank and unloaded the quad. Hooked up the sled and began riding to the lake. The snow wasn't deep for the first bit. As I rode down the road it was extremely hard to see with all new snow and snow drifts. The road has around 5" base with 6-12" of new snow with all the snow drifts. I recommend taking a snowmobile or ATV with aggressive tires or chains to get to the lake. I wouldn't try taking a truck to get to the lake now. I arrived to the lake and was really surprised to see all the open water. There is about 200 yards of ice on the north end that is 1/2" to 3" thick. The first couple of holes I drilled the ice was only 1/2 thick. I moved over to the north east corner and fished 11 feet deep with 2.5" of ice. The fishing was good from 9 to noon. From about 12:30 to around 3 the fishing slowed down. I Only caught a couple about every half hour after that. Caught a lot of smaller tigers with and a few bigger ones as well. I only brought in 3 cuts all day. I sure was glad that I took the ice shelter today, it was a very cold windy day. The clouds finally lifted and burned off around 2. I fished for another hour and decided to call it a day. The fishing wasn't super fast but It sure was a good time for the first hard deck trip at E-lake. If the temperatures stay cold It will probably another couple weeks for the ice to cover the north end completely.
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[Kent]

Glad you had a good and especially safe day. Looks like there is more ice than there was Saturday. If you would have fished a little further north you would have found at least 4" to 6" thick ice.
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[LOAH]

Nice! Again, I'm glad you made it back. Some pretty good fish in that mix, good job.
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[Tyler_T]

Thanks LOAH, it was a good time catching a few bigger tigers. The fishing has always been a little slower the further north I went when ice fishing. I wanted to be as far south as I could get with the channel that runs through area.
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[BigEZ]

That looks like a really good time. Nice looking rig too. Are those Kenda Executioners on your quad?
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[Tyler_T]

Thanks, they are the new mud lite XXL. I was going trough pictures from last years ice season at Electric lake. This picture was taken 12/10/11. I can't believe how far behind the ice is this year. Pray for cold weather fellow ice anglers!
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[Jazzperch1]

Nice job on gettin out there and pulling a few out, im jealous and still waiting for more ice around me. thanks for the post tyler
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[redneck_delux]

Am i the only one who thinks standing on 1/2" of ice is insane? wont catch me on anything less than 4" but im glad you had a great time and made it home safe

[Tyler_T]

You only live once! I'm not scared of a little water. I fell through in 2008 and spiked the ice before I went under. Life is too short to always be scared and worrying about everything. You never know when it's your time. The best fishing is always first ice for me! And yea I guess I would die for that. At least I will be doing something I love when I die!
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[Kent]

Just please make sure you have plenty of life insurance so that your family doesn't suffer.
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[redneck_delux]

Ha ha i used to live by similar rules and it has cost me quite a bit but if its your thing have at it because certainly wont tell anyone how to live...