Willard bay 11/8/14

[Greatdeal3411]

Heading up to willard bay before the sun comes up tomorrow. 1st trip to the reservoir and excited to scout for ice fishing. I plan to fish from the shore at the south marina. Any one been up there recently? Tips. I've been reading old post from tube dude and other members...great stuff. I'll post report if I do any good.

Thanks!
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[zman2]

water is low go fish the west side
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[TubeDude]

[#0000FF]Water levels are low, temps are cold and clarity is bad because of wind caused turbidity. Virtually a zero chance of good fishing either in or outside the south marina right now. Most fish are out in at least 8-10 feet of water.

As you have been advised, if you are fishing from shore your best chance of reaching deep enough water with a long cast will be from the west shoreline.

However, once the ice cap forms the water will clear up under the ice and there will be available ice fishing both off the north marina area and over on the west side. We caught fish under the ice in water as shallow as 4-5 feet last winter.

Good luck.
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[r2u2]

Took the kayak out of the north marina Wed. Fished to the north dike and back. One cat, Guess I got lucky.

Fished the south marina this morning from shore. One cat smaller than the one on Wed.

Got home in time for lunch. Washed the kayak and put it away for the winter.

The cats are going to have to wait until next year.

Fishing for cats has progressively gotten worse this past month.

RJ
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[Greatdeal3411]

Fish from the shore @ southeast corner and then the west dike. Two lines in the water...not a bite. Thought the dying shad jig may work, need deeper water I guess. Cool place, I'll be back in January. Weather was awesome.
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[wiperhunter2]

Catching is tough at Willard this time of the year but the area you fished along the West dike is some of the deepest you can get to from shore. Did you try around the light pole?
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[Greatdeal3411]

I missed the light pole. I Should have paid more attention to it, I may have been close walked up and down the shoreline. I think I'm going to put my ice fishing focus on Willard th is year. Gonna Try to hit it 15 times or so this winter, including a few night trips. Will it freeze before January?

Matt
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[wiperhunter2]

In most years it freezes in Jan. Some years a little earlier. Mantua is usually the first lake to freeze along the Wasatch front.
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[Greatdeal3411]

Yeah, Mantua has been my 1st trip for the last 5 yrs. Seems like it's always on fire the first few wks of ice and dies off quickly. Been able to pull out trout 16"+ last couple. By the parking lot on the west side. Hope it continues to be good early. Can't wait for ice! Hope I can figure Out Willard.

Matt
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[SkunkedAgain]

Good luck on Willard, I've seen many of the better anglers get a Skunken at the bay on ice. I wouldn't make it the only spot you ice fish or you might have a frustrating season. Best of luck. J
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[Greatdeal3411]

Thanks! I'm not going down w/o a fight, targeting all fish. I keep you all posted. I'll Live at the Bay this winter of need be. #ClamYoukonParked

Matt
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[SkunkedAgain]

When you get them figured out, I want to be the first in line to be taught. I tried Cutler a lot last winter and never cracked the code to be able to catch any fish. The year before ShawDog gave me a clinic with his Marcum finder he nailed three or four cats and I just watched without a nibble. So I know success is possible, but its not easy but I'd like to learn. Be watching for your reports. J
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[wiperhunter2]

[quote Greatdeal3411]Yeah, Mantua has been my 1st trip for the last 5 yrs. Seems like it's always on fire the first few wks of ice and dies off quickly. Been able to pull out trout 16"+ last couple. By the parking lot on the west side. Hope it continues to be good early. Can't wait for ice! Hope I can figure Out Willard.
Matt[/quote]
When we start getting freezing temp and ice, Mantua is my first choice for ice fishing, by the time it starts slowing down Willard should have good ice. Every year is a little different but last year that was how it worked. Last year, for the first time, I went out of the North marina of Willard and started having success. We posted several reports of our success that you can read about by using the search feature above. I'm not sure how this ice fishing season will play out but I'll be out there again trying for a repeat of last years success. I wish they would allow us to use ATV's out there but because of the restrictions they place on using them, the Willard park manager said it was not safe.
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[Greatdeal3411]

Excellent! I've been reading everything I can find on Willard. I'll be sure to check previous reports. Mantua will have to hold me off until I can get after it. Was able to hit it around December 10 a few yrs ago. Hope the temps drop soon.

I'm trying to decide if i need a Gadget to measure water temp below the ice. Something I haven't put much thought into before, but they say it can tell the story. I don't know much about water temp or what to use in measuring.

Walleye after Dark on Ice sounds great to me!

Mat
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