The time came today for me to wrap up open water fishing. It's always sad to have to take the boat out of the water for the last time of the year and make that one last cast. On the plus side, the ramp at Rocky Point was usable and free of ice. The water level in Coeur d' Alene is still about 2126' and only a couple feet below summer full-pool. On the down side, there was enough ice in the water to break a lens cover on my trailer! I had to break through the ice with a paddle to get out of the boathouse, but open water wasn't far away, and the hull will break 1/4" ice going when moving forward.

The water temperature has dropped by about ten degrees in the last two and a half weeks, and with some cold weather, I would expect the ice to build quickly. The water in Chatcolet is about 32 degrees according to my fishfinder, and the main lake near shore hovered around 34. It's universally turbid, with maybe 4' visibility. In the middle of the lake I once saw 38 degrees, but near shore and inside docks there was even ice forming in the main lake.

I fished for three hours without a strike. The weeds have all collapsed away from the surface. I fished slow and close to the weeds with jerkbaits and swimbaits, and even slow-rolled a spinnerbait and pork and later a bass jig, but no takers. I had the lake completely to myself and it was pleasant and quiet though cold; not another fool was on the water. Now, pray for cold snaps and bring on the hard water!

AJ's Dad

12/20/2012 6:51:00 AM

Sounds like you found the end of the open water season. There are some weed beds in the lake that last year round, or at least farther out in the year. If you can find them the fish should still be there. However, if the water freezes over, it's game over till you can safely walk on it. That's a whole different ballgame. I don't fish for pike much through the ice. Deadbaiting can kill a lot of fish and makes catch and release hard to do.

Happy Fishing

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