Starvation Ice

[sykes87]

Does anybody have an update on the Ice conditions at Starvy?
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[TopH2O]

Starvation is still in very good condition for ice fishing. The lake level has been dropping to make room for more runoff later. The lake level has gone down and the edges are solid and in some places you have to watch for a steep slope onto the lake. We fished Knight Hollow today and there was about 12 to 13 inches of ice. Today's windy conditions blew most of the snow off the ice surface, so cleats are a must.
We caught a bunch of RBT and a few browns up to 21 inches. Only one perch and we can't seem to find the little buggers anywhere.
I don't know what the conditions are on the rest of the reservoir although judging by Knight Hollow, I would think the ice is good elsewhere but as always, use caution and don't go alone.

Mike
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[Flyfishinglover]

I really wish I knew how the conditions are by the marina launch area because I've been really tempted to take my snowmobile out and hit by the damn area [].
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[TopH2O]

The area near the main boat ramp and over by the dam looked to be completely ice covered and solid. I am not aware of any problems with the ice safety in that area. I was told there was a small section of open water in the small bay directly across the from the main ramp. Apparently the dropping water caused the ice to fall away and a small area of open water filled the void. I didn't see any other areas where I would be concerned.
The area near the dam appeared to have retained some snow cover on the ice so using a snowmobile would probably not need the "scratchers" to keep the track cool. However, the wind was blowing hard most of the day yesterday and some of the snow may have been blown off.

Mike
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[panfisher]

Would you know how the ice is at Rabbit Gulch or Indian bay.
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[TopH2O]

I haven't been to either area lately so I can't give you a definite answer. However, the ice in Knight Hollow is very solid and consistently has 12 to 14 inches of thickness. As I mentioned before, Starvation is actually dropping and that makes the edges slightly inclined but safe in most places.
I suspect the ice in Rabbit Gulch and Indian Bay is still safe for ice fishing due to the recent cold night time temperatures.
As always, don't take someone else's information to replace your normal sense of caution anytime you are going onto a frozen body of water. If in doubt, check the ice thickness near shore and periodically as you head out across the tundra.
Remember the wind has been blowing the snow off of the ice at Starvation. Not only is the snow cover gone in places, the blowing snow actually "polishes" the ice making it extremely slick. You need cleats on your footwear to avoid becoming an ice fishing statistic.
Be safe, have fun and post a report if you do go over to Starvation and Rabbit Gulch or Indian Bay.
I'm going over again in the morning and I'll probably fish in the Knight Hollow area. If you make it to that part of the lake, stop by and say "Hi". Chances are there won't be many other people out there.

Mike
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[OCF]

I was talking to my barber this a.m. He stated that he and a friend went through the ice under the highway bridge a week or so ago. Thought the salt from the roadway deteriorated the ice under the bridge. Be careful, if you fish this area!
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[panfisher]

Thanks, Mike
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[hookngrinin]

It's open water now under the bridge. The sun beating on the bridge supports gets the ice melting and the wind blowing under the bridge creates wave action and opens it up. I never like going under the bridge during the ice season. Be careful.
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