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Well trfishin' I can't give you any specifics on the ice out there....yet, but to get to the southwest corner, you go the same route to the marina, except do not turn north on the road that goes to the marina. Continue west on the road until it turns sharply to the right (it will be a dirt road here), then just follow that road towards Harold Crane WMA, that road will continue around the dike. From what Predator has said, it gets really rough about there, so you will need a good 4X4 to get much further. Hope this info helps, good luck when you head out.
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i have been around the dike many times you should have no problem driving to the S.W. corner unless snow is a issue once you get around to the west dike it gets a little rough
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I guess you have had your questions answered if you have been reading the post from yesterday but just in case. You should have no problem getting around the gate at the S/W corner but it looks like the first gate would be the easiest to get around. Both gates go to the same road that goes over the dike. There is no slush on the ice but there are a few thin spots, so be careful. The thin spots are easy to spot, just stay away from the areas that look like open water, the rest of the lake has 7 to 8 inches of ice. Good luck, if you make it out let us know how you do. WH2
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[size 3][font "Times New Roman"]I talked to the company that manages the property (The Dike) surrounding Willard Bay. Riding OHV anywhere on the dike is prohibited; this is in forced by the Weber County Sheriff. You can ride them on the ice if you can get to it with out riding on the dike.[/font]
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I wouldnt actually take a machine on the ice due to the simple fact that the ice thickness does vary.
I would hate to have it fall through. in most spots its going to be thick enough to support a wheeler, but all it takes is one soft spot.
Willard had a lot of open water on it with big chunks of ice. The old open water spots will be thinner than the places where there has been ice for a month or so.
To get there, just go to the smith and edwards parking lot, on the north end theres the road that goes out toward the south marina.
Just get on the road that heads out west and stay on it. never turn off it until you reach the end. its a straight shot west from smith and eddies.
At the end of the road it turns north and becomes a dirt road.
Stay on the dirt road. It goes all around the dike.
Now theres a couple roads out there you can take. If you dont turn left and just keep on going toward the dike, younend up near the south marina. If you turn left out there, you paralell the south dike and the road takes you over a canal. This is the road that goes around the lake.
Once you go over the canal you can fish the south dike right there, or continue around to the west side.
You can also access the lake by turning on the road that takes you to the south marina and staying on that road. It will run straight out there to the middle of the lake on the east side. I have ice fished here before as well.
Also you can go to the north marina and rather than going into the marina, go to the north dike and get out along the top of the dike out there.
None of those places are part of the state park. You only need to pay or have a pass if you go inside the north marina.
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Another thing to consider for your drive out there.
There are some pretty deep ruts in the road. Watch your ground clearance, especially on your axles or you may find yourself high centered before you know it.
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[font "Times New Roman"][size 3]Opps [/size][/font]
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Another thing that tweaks me about this is they have fuel trucks and bull dozers going up over the dike on the south west corner. I dont think my 120 pound Honda 125 three wheeler is going to harm there precious road.[crazy]
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I forgot to mention, you are not likley to catch 100 fish out there.
If you are looking for a relaxing trip you are wasting time.
The key to fishing willard in the summer and winter is to stay mobile. You have to find the fish. In big bathtub basins, the fish dont have a bunch of structure to relate to, theres virtually no cover, and the fish will roam and relate to food source.
I dont even bother wetting a line until the finder sees fish. Punch a million holes looking for depth, then look for fish for a minuet or two. If you dont see any, move.
You gotta be willing to walk, and drill.
I dont bother with the suspended fish. I keep reeling up to them, but not one ever hits. All the biters come off the bottom.
You must watch your finder. The fish want some twitch on the lure. If its still it takes much longer for them to hit. You have to watch the bottom. If it changes at all, gets thicker, or anything, twicth that lure a bit.
Its work, no doubt about it. It takes concentration. If you plan on B.S.ing with your buddy most of the day, you would catch more fish on jordanelle.
I didnt even take a chair sunday. I knew before I ever got there that if I was sitting, and set up camp, it would suck.
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[size 3][font "Times New Roman"]GSL minerals has water rights to Willard bay that is why the pump is there pumping water out of the lake. The fuel truck delivers twice a week. There is a little more water coming in than going out.[/font] [/size]
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]hey i haven't been out to willard on the ice before and have a few questions PLEASE HELP ME OUT. how do you get to the south west corner of the dike. ???do you go through the state park to get there or is there a turn off before that. also do you think that there is some where to get a four wheeler on the ice and it be safe to explore some different places on the ice or does it look like any slush or thin spots on the ice. any info would be greatly appriciated. thanks again trfishin
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