Mantua

[PACKFAN]

Haven't seen any reports on Mantua, Is it worth trying Friday? Some of the last posts I saw concerned the parking situation up there this year. Do you have to park by the rest rooms or the far end of the dike only? Thanks for the info.[]
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[TubeDude]

[cool][#0000ff]Ice is good...4" to 6". You can drive and park down by the inlet, at the SE corner, as long as you stay in the parking areas. You will get a ticket if you park anywhere along the dike, especially near the boat ramp.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]You can also park and walk up over the dike to the north of the ramp. There are some good spots straight out from there.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]I will be up there about 8 AM on Friday. We will be parking at the restrooms and heading out to about mid lake. Let's hook up. You can follow me. If I can make it across the ice without going through, anybody can.[/#0000ff]
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[Flycasting]

You're funny Pat! What time you gonna be there Friday?
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[PACKFAN]

Sounds good Pat, I'll see ya there Friday unless something comes up.[]
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[TubeDude]

[cool][#0000ff]Repeat from previous post...about 8 AM. TubeBabe will be with, if you wanna finally meet her. She really does exist.[/#0000ff]
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[lavaman]

I'll be there also, Pat. Actually might be there a bit earlier...maybe 7:30. Good chance I'll be one of the first on the ice, so you won't miss me. I'll be in about the same area you were at last week. Gray nissan pickup with a BFT sticker on the back window, I'll be parked by the restrooms.
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[TubeDude]

[cool][#0000ff]Looking forward to meeting you too, as we have discussed in our PMs. We might actually get there earlier...depending on depending on. [/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]By the way, do you need any BFT stickers?[/#0000ff]
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[lavaman]

All I need buddy, is some of your famous jigs I've still got some of those stickers that Jason was kind enough to send.
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[TubeDude]

[cool][#0000ff]If you catch all the fish before we get there, you ain't gonna get none of those jigs.[/#0000ff]
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[mateo]

I was up there today, with my son and a friend. Between the two older of us fishing we caught 2 trout and one two perch. I could see a lot of fish coming up to my jig, but not many takers until I put on some perch meat. Very hard to hook those little suckers, so we only ended up with the two before the rain and snow made things uncomfortable. I saw several people fishing near the inlet, but we didn't make it over that far.
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[lavaman]

Thanks for the report Mateo! Love that avatar!!

Yeah all this rain we've been getting, I'm wondering how safe it will be this Friday? Something to keep an eye on.
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[mateo]

Thanks. I stole it.
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[WalleyeDude]

I've been there 3 times in the last 10 days. Fished the south east portion in 7 to 15 feet of water. Have caught a lot of dink perch with an occasional 10-11 incher. Bass and Bluegill don't seem to be schooling up yet or maybe I just haven't found the right spot. I've managed to catch two or three bass and a handfull of bluegill though. I've also caught about 10 trout in those 3 times. Been Using icefly with a wax worm a couple feet off the bottom. Been using the aquaview to set the hook as the bite has been really light. Event with an ice-pole and 4 1b test line I would have never known the fish was sucking on the lure without the camera.

Ice is 4-6 inches but all the rain may be wearing it down a bit. Beware of springs that thin the ice in places.
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[smokepoles]

Also been there three times since 23rd. I usually fish the SE, but have thus far stayed out from docks finding that often the most consistent early ice. Hasn't been real fast action, but not terrible if you dig lots of holes to find the 'warm' one. Lot of little perch, with a few nice perch or bluegill every once in a while. Also random bass and trout, usually earlier in morning.

Also going to try Friday if all works out at home.

BTW, saw a couple fishing out from Hyrum dam yesterday, but ice sure looked marginal. I don't think you'll see me out until we get some real cold they are predicting this weekend.
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