What’s hot is ice fishing Roses Lake for rainbow trout and yellow perch. Fishing on Rufus Woods will now be focused more and more on still fishing locations as the surface water temperature drops below the 40 degree mark. Lake Chelan should produce good numbers of Lakers in the lower basin and big fish up above the Narrows.
Roses Lake is pumping out planter rainbows and perch for ice fishermen. Finding concentrations of trout and dangling Fire Bait in front of them is a prime strategy. Fish for perch with a jig baited with a worm. Once you catch that first perch, a perch eye on the jig is ideal. These super cold nights and lovely days have made ice fishing a pleasure. It’s hard to determine how long the ice will last, but for now we have a solid 6 inches on Roses. As always be cautious when venturing on ice and have spikes available to haul yourself out if you do find a way to take a cold water bath.
Fishing with jigs near the lower pens on Rufus saved the day the last time out. Having a variety of options in your “tool box” is definitely the way to go on Rufus.
On Lake Chelan, fishing the deep water on either side of the Narrows near the Yacht Club should continue to get you that shot at a “bigun”. Numbers of Lakers can be caught in the trench. Also, Mack Bar is beginning to load back up. Worden Lures flatfish in T4, U20 and F7 are our favorites. Luminous Chartreuse and Purple Glow are our favorite colors. Mack’s Lures Cha Cha Squidders in Green Glow will work, baited with a strip of Northern Pikeminnow.
Your fishing tip of the week is to spruce up that old bait. If you can’t obtain fresh bait, Pautzke’s all natural cures will give those frozen baits some flavor that will help trigger the fish to bite. Sometimes, it’s the small details that lead to success.
Your kid’s tip of the week is take advantage of warmer late winter daytime temperatures and safe ice to make a combination ice fishing and picnic outing to Roses Lake. Daytime temps getting into the 40’s with little or no wind begins to feel balmy this time of the year. Bring favorite snacks and hot drinks. Taking home a few fish for supper is a bonus!
Your safety tip of the week is a repeat. Remember that four inches of clear ice is the minimum for safe ice fishing. Be very observant before venturing out on the ice. Carry spikes on a tether to haul yourself out if worse comes to worse.
Anton Jones of Darrell & Dad's Family Guide Service
www.darrellanddads.com or 1-866-360-1523
Pictured: 2/4/12 - Ice fishermen working over Roses Lake
Also Pictured: 2/4/12 Doug and Charlene Beamer with Terry and Catherine Werner, all of Post Falls with their Rufus fish.
