Pelican Ice

[lakepowellnut]

Anyone know if Pelican Lake has started to freeze? This warm weather is killing me!!!
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[hookngrinin]

I haven't heard anything on ice conditions at Pelican lately, but the two week old fishing report on the Division of Wildlife's website says ice has begun to freeze around the edges. The Ouray valley tends to be one of the colder areas in the Uinta Basin. I would think there is more ice there now rather than less.
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[fishnate]

That 2 week old report was correct 2 weeks ago. It was 2/3 capped then it warmed up and blew off. There may still be some ice in the weeds but it has been pretty warm, low 40's over here. The last few days have been much cooler so there may be some more ice forming but not near enough yet. I'll try to swing past there on Monday and get an update for you.
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[lakepowellnut]

Thanks...very much appreciated!!!
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[Out4Trout]

Pelican... Hmmm... interested in carp fishing, are ya?[:p]
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[wagdog]

I haven't been to Pelican for over a year now. How bad are the carp now?
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[lakepowellnut]

I had a few good outings last winter so I'm hoping the carp conditions haven't gotten much worse. Time will tell.
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[fishnate]

This is just my opinion against all the others out there -- carp are deffinately more numerous but I don't think the carp have majically wiped out all the bluegill and bass, I think the carp have just caused the other fish to change behavior and many of the anglers haven't adjusted yet. They have fished one way for so long they can't adapt, it's been too easy. I've had some pretty stellar days on open water out there in the last few years but I've had to change my techniques. I'll admit I've struggled through the ice in the last two years but I didn't change my behavior. This year that will change with some new lures and other ideas.

Carp have deffinately messed up the water clarity which messes up the way bass and bluegill have traditionally behaved there. Until the Pelican Lake Advisory Committee decides how to deal with the carp issue, anglers will have to change things up and fish harder and smarter to catch the fish. Might have to drill more holes, try new areas, use lures that are more noticable, etc. I'll be out there at first ice looking to meet the challenge.
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[lakepowellnut]

I completely agree with you Fishnate. I've had to drill a lot of holes to find the fish, but when I find them, it's great fishing. Bait choice is also critical.
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[wagdog]

Good to know. Thanks for the info. That is one of my favorite ice fishing places. It sounds like I need to do an open water trip or two. Maybe eradicate a few carp while I'm at it.
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[hookngrinin]

I agree, the fish are still there. I ice fished it twice last year and got into a lot of fish (bluegill and bass) in the same locations using the same technique, but the bluegill where in poor condition. They are obviously in decline a far as size and condition goes. I kept the 10 - 12" bass for fillets and returned the bluegill.
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[wagdog]

Were the bluegill just too skinny or did you release some of the 8+ inch gills? I think the largemouth in that 12" range are excellent eating.
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[fishnate]

Not sure about hookngrinin's experiences, but I just went back and reviewed some of my photos starting in winter of 2009 when I caught my last 10"+ bluegill out of there. What I am seeing (completely non scientific) is a reduction of overall average size and lower catch rate. I'm not convinced the lower catch rate is because of lower population but more of behavior due to environmental conditions. As far as size goes, where I used to catch at least a few 10" bluegill mixed in with a hoard of 7" to 9" gills in a day, I now might catch one or two 9" fish, if I'm lucky, along with the now 6" to 8" gills. Summertime gills seem healthy and colorful but the winter gills haven't been as chunky, I wouldn't say skinny, and they lack color. Since they rely heavily on site to feed, the dingy waters aren't helping gills or anglers.

The largemouth have been a completely different story and I'll just say I really like what I'm seeing there.
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[wagdog]

Your observations sound similar to mine. I have only ever ice fished Pelican so I can't comment on the summer fishing. It will be interesting to see how this all plays out with the DWR. I know we can't have it all and I was one who voted for a trophy bluegill fishery in the survey. However the more I have thought about it, trophy gills or trophy bass...I'd take either one.
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[hookngrinin]

I have been releasing the 8"+ bluegill because their backs are very thin and not rounded out like they should be. Not much to fillet. I didn't get many over 8 1/2" last winter. The smaller bass provide the fillets and they are excellent eating.I will get out there and investigate fish conditions soon.[cool]
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[fishnate]

I didn't make it past Pelican today but it isn't likely there is any significant change in "ice" conditions. It's currently 46 degrees over there right now and breezy. However, the forecast is calling for lows in the teens and highs around freezing in the next few days so it may cap again and be fishable by New Years (cross your fingers).
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[lakepowellnut]

Thanks Fishnate! I'll probably stick close to the Wasatch Front through the holidays and hit Pelican mid-January.
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[fishnate]

For what it's worth, I did a drive by and it's starting to freeze again. The weedy areas never thawed out but now there's skim ice covering a good chunk of the perimeter of the lake with a little more on the northeast part. The photo shows the skim ice out from the east parking area. It will be a little while yet, but it's forecast to be 7 degrees tonight and low teens for the next several days, could cap soon. And by-the-way the water is only about 4' below capacity and from what I could tell appears to be somewhat clearer than last winter.
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[fsh4fun05]

Thanks for the pic.
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[lakepowellnut]

Thanks Fishnate...hopefully we'll have fishable ice soon with this cold spell. Happy Holidays!!!
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