Chain Lakes Ice [Archive] - Alberta Outdoorsmen Forum

Bigdad013

11-21-2013, 11:20 AM

Anybody been by Chain Lakes? Kids have the day off tomorrow thought maybe some ice fishing would be in order. Thought maybe with this week of cold weather, maybe thick enough to walk on

Red Neck

11-21-2013, 11:25 AM

:thinking-006:Be very very carful, with the heavy snow cover the ice is not forming very well combined with a warm fall? Just be very carful:thinking-006:
But doo post what you find.
Red Neck out :scared0018:

Gust

11-21-2013, 11:31 AM

I'd say no, or go without the kids. Call me a worry wart. The cold spell had too much snow and lakes down that way were open only 6 days ago.

Gust

11-21-2013, 11:34 AM

you could phone the station there to find out about the ice.

Gust

11-21-2013, 11:43 AM

(403) 646-5887

Bigdad013

11-21-2013, 12:33 PM

Gust

11-22-2013, 10:17 PM

so?

Bigdad013

11-23-2013, 03:37 AM

I never got hold of them, but might take a drive down on Sunday to check it out. The wife didn't want me taking the kids until it was confirmed safe. Funny thing, she didn't really have a problem with me checking it out...lol

Flieguy

11-23-2013, 09:23 AM

wear a life jacket and tie a couple 6" nails around your wrists so you can pull yourself back onto the ice. My guess is chain will have 3-4" though.

Fish face

11-23-2013, 02:09 PM

My buddy was there last sundat. said it was iced over but there were no footprints on it. he didnt want to be the first. dont blame him. lifejacket and a rope to your buddy on shore is how we do it.

Bigdad013

11-23-2013, 04:48 PM

Going to drive down tomorrow, if its to thin, off to my buddy's farm and do some skeet shooting instead.

Bigdad013

11-24-2013, 03:53 PM

Went to Chain today. Low and behold, there were guys fishing out there. So me and the boy loaded the sled and made our way out. Beautiful day. Fishing in our shirts til about 2:00 and the wind really kicked up. Action was good. Fish were between 8 and 15 feet down. Ice we found was 4.5-5.5" thick. Fun to get out again

markusbrainus

11-24-2013, 06:31 PM

I was driving by Chain today and stopped by to check the ice. There were a couple guys out fishing and they said 3 to 4 inches of ice. Still a little risky for me. I'll give it another week of cold weather.

2 pics here: http://imgur.com/a/nuzZx

hardcorefishing

11-24-2013, 06:48 PM

Thanx for taking a picture of us lol. But yes the ice is 3-4 inches thick. Great action anywhere from 10-15 ft. Bows are bigger this year then last.

Evil69

11-24-2013, 07:29 PM

Saw a few guys on the north end ice today while driving home from Elk hunting near Porcupine hills. All I can say is those guys have BIG Cojones. Even looked wet near the southeastern part so I don't think I'll be pulling out the sled untill we get another good cold snap. Mid December I'm thinking with the forcast :thinking-006:

Bigdad013

11-25-2013, 01:09 AM

Gust

11-29-2013, 02:31 PM

Sundancefisher

11-29-2013, 02:33 PM

remember as to go further out from shore the ice gets thinner usually. Ice usually forms from the shore inwards to the middle of the lake. Any currents or Springs can change the thickness fast. 10 inch trout are not worth dying for.

Bigdad013

11-29-2013, 05:27 PM

Just got back from Chain. Ice quite inconsistent, 4" in one spot and 10 feet over 3". Cleats an absolute must or felt soled boots. A few small ones but they went home. I'm going to post two very significant hazards that might create a very dangerous problem after the deep freeze coming next week.

Where abouts were you located, last weekend near the launch it was 3 inches and then by the far parking lot 5.5 inches. Just wondering if it lost that much ice over the last week

Gust

11-29-2013, 05:33 PM

Where abouts were you located, last weekend near the launch it was 3 inches and then by the far parking lot 5.5 inches. Just wondering if it lost that much ice over the last week

It was strange today,, 3 inches here, 2 1/2 inches there, 4 inches a bit over,, odd fractures, a bit of flooding here but not there. Also, while looking down the hole, larger ice chunks were occasionally floating by, what one would expect in Spring time.

The white ice I illustrated is a fixed area,, if it were marked and avoided come driving season everything should be ok, but my worry is, is someone may drive slightly west and have an iffy, whereas if they drive slightly east they'd be fine.

Bigdad013

12-20-2013, 04:48 PM

mayuan

12-20-2013, 08:43 PM

Went to Chain this morning with my little guy. Lugged all our gear out, drilled some holes got the tent set up, just about to get the rods going when he goes and gives himself a booter. Foot fit perfect through the hole, fell right up to his knee. So walk him back to the truck, me back out to the tent, take everything down and back home. Had a nice lunch in Bragg Creek though and good quality time with him. It's not always about the fishing, though that would have been nice.

LOL, that is a good laugh!

My son does that every time... I just place him in his seat remove the boot liner and sock that are in question, place them by the heater. I'm in a tent of course, the toe warmers that you use on your boot are put on the new socks that he is wearing. The boot liner is dry in about 30min, snow pants are dry in about 10 min. The boy is happy the whole time! Just remember, it's about spending time and I think you get that!

all canadian

12-20-2013, 08:58 PM

I've had to take off my socks and give it to my son. I always bring extra pants and socks now. Lots of fun!

Evil69

12-21-2013, 05:42 PM

I'm heading there Monday. Hows the ice? is there much snow on top or should I bring my cleats?

lesw

12-21-2013, 07:50 PM

if you short on room leave the cleats at home

albertetheridge

12-21-2013, 07:55 PM

FISHED IN Boyle last weekend Skeleton had 12 inches of ice

kevinhits

12-22-2013, 07:39 AM

Thinking of heading to Chain this morning...Anyone else heading out there today?

BobLoblaw

12-22-2013, 09:15 AM

if you short on room leave the cleats at home

:happy0034:

Simple, understated smart*****ery, right there; brilliant!

BobLoblaw

12-22-2013, 09:17 AM

[QUOTE=BobLoblaw;2249281]:happy0034:

Simple, understated smarta_ssery, right there; brilliant![/QUOTE

FishermanFrank1976

12-22-2013, 02:39 PM

The Ice is good at Chain Lakes:) Last Sunday friends were out and there was a good 10-12 inches. Some people had there vehicles out on the ice but still a little early for me and my truck:) Slow fishing though:(

Gillfisher

12-22-2013, 06:31 PM

Flieguy

12-22-2013, 06:35 PM

from the sounds of things, that's better than most are doing there this year.

kevinhits

12-23-2013, 01:05 PM

Hit Chain today there is about 4" of snow 4" slush then about 7 or 8" of ice. Saw only 1 vehicle drive off the ice. Fish were biting really well for 10:15 to 1:15 then very slow. Landed and released about 18 bows between 5 and 10 inches.

Gillfisher

Had the same luck today as well....The bumhole you are talking about drove about 50K by us on the ice:sign0176:.....ice cracking under me...

Honestly, at the most 9" clear ice...

BBKiller

12-23-2013, 01:11 PM

wow :sign0161:

How foolish.

1/2 ton truck ?

kevinhits

12-23-2013, 01:26 PM

wow :sign0161:

How foolish.

1/2 ton truck ?

Suv...But still foolish......

I was located at the far north parking lot...Got there around noon and never seen any vehicles till I heard the rumbling of ice and looked out...I am sure everyone was peeded off there as I was...

If you are on this forum, give your frickin head a shake.....:snapoutofit:

Gillfisher

12-23-2013, 01:50 PM

Yes he was going real fast I imagine he would have had to keep up his speed as the top layer of slush was pretty soft. I was hoping he would get stuck. Pretty foolish to be driving onto the lake right now

BBKiller

12-23-2013, 02:13 PM

Had he stopped driving he may have went through the ice. Not worth the risk. Silly way to die if you ask me.

Evil69

12-23-2013, 03:28 PM

Took the Neighbor kid to Chain this morning for some rainbow action.

We arrived at 8:45 am and set up out in front of the parking lot. Not a lot of people on the lake when we arrived and the wind was blowing about 40 km. Drilled our first holes in 9-10 inches of clear ice over 15 ft of water.
http://www.outdoorsmenforum.ca/attachment.php?attachmentid=83948&stc=1&d=1387837304We immediately had action and landed two good sized keepers right off the bat. Fish were right under the ice as we could see them going past our holes. We landed approx 20 before 10:30 am then decided to move out towards the middle into deeper water.
At our next set of holes we hammered them until 1pm. As the day progressed the fish dropped in the water column from 1 ft below the ice to 2 ft above bottom but we had steady action all morning.
Our tackle was simple, glow jig heads tipped with shrimp. http://www.outdoorsmenforum.ca/attachment.php?attachmentid=83949&stc=1&d=1387837332One thing of note is that some fish were hitting very aggressive while others were nibblers. I landed more with my light action rods with 4lb mono than my partner using a medium action with braided. I could see and feel hits way better on the nibblers which produced more landed fish and most of the keepers. I kept my limit and the boy kept his.http://www.outdoorsmenforum.ca/attachment.php?attachmentid=83950&stc=1&d=1387837361

Only saw one fool on the ice with his red 1/2 ton p/u and watched a guy chase his tent from the middle of the lake to the parking lot as the wind picked it up and took it for a ride...made for some light entertainment:)

A short drive home and fresh trout for lunch:sHa_shakeshout:http://www.outdoorsmenforum.ca/attachment.php?attachmentid=83951&stc=1&d=1387837384

huntsfurfish

12-23-2013, 06:05 PM

Evil69 looks like a good day. Well done.

NCFlyfishin

12-23-2013, 09:09 PM

I am heading out to Chain tomorrow, hope I do as well as you Evil69! I will put a report on this thread when I get back :)

Gillfisher

12-26-2013, 07:58 PM

Fished from 10:00 till 2:45 today, fishing was real slow iced only 3 trout lost a couple and missed a few. It seemed to be pretty slow all around as well. Lots of trucks and vehicles driving onto the ice now. At least it was nice and warm. Got to try out my new Eskimo tent sure was nice to be able to get out of the wind.

AdverseCity

12-27-2013, 09:32 AM

We fished Chain lake yesterday from about 2pm until 1am, not sure why we stayed so late but it was fun. Caught 14 keepers between 4 of us although 2 people left early with half the fish. Caught most of them on a tiny jig head with mealworms or trout worms. Lots of vehicles on the ice but watch the snowdrift at the launch when leaving, it softened up during the day. I had to get a run at it with the van and a quad trailer.

vital shok

12-27-2013, 03:14 PM

Chain today 14 iced brought two home velvetta was the ticket we had a few on shrimp but were getting hits all day long it seemed everybody else was slow but we had the right spot I guess . Ice was very slushie 12" but we just walked on

FishermanFrank1976

12-29-2013, 05:10 PM

We were at Chain on Friday. Ice was about 8-10" and very soft. Fishing was amazing:) Landed 17 bows in a couple hours and missed 20+ all ranging from 5-6"s and a couple nice 12"ers average was around 8" All caught with jumbo prawns from superstore brand cut up small on 4lb line and #8 hooks:)

mullen1989

01-04-2014, 05:09 PM

https://scontent-a-sea.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash3/1544472_10153700467595254_405475098_n.jpg

Caught this beauty today. 2-1/4 to 2-1/2lbs (was a shade over 2lbs at home, gutted).

NCFlyfishin

01-04-2014, 05:37 PM

holy crap, you actually caught that at chain?

mullen1989

01-04-2014, 05:39 PM

holy crap, you actually caught that at chain?

Yes sir...around 945/10am this morning. Couldn't believe it when I pulled it up. Me and 3 buddies probably landed about 10 fish, 3 keepers in about 5 hours. All the others were 6-8".

Bigdad013

01-04-2014, 05:56 PM

Thats a hog for chain, nice going

kinwahkly

01-04-2014, 07:00 PM

nice fish

skiwili

01-04-2014, 07:39 PM

Nice one. How is the ice?

fish gunner

01-04-2014, 07:40 PM

Umm ,isnt that a cutbow of some discription. Lack of black spotting above the lateral line and the head ?? Great catch, brooder cutbow ??

gibbo

01-08-2014, 07:20 AM

Anybody been on Chain recently? Thinking of going out next weekend.
Many thanks

mayuan

01-08-2014, 08:14 AM

Nice one. How is the ice?

Looking for an update on the ice conditions too.

bluetick

01-08-2014, 07:24 PM

https://scontent-a-sea.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash3/1544472_10153700467595254_405475098_n.jpg

Caught this beauty today. 2-1/4 to 2-1/2lbs (was a shade over 2lbs at home, gutted).

Not real sure about a cutbow but I can always recognize a nice kokanee when I see one ,:)

mtbkr

01-20-2014, 10:33 AM

Nice fish Mullen1989. That's awesome for Chain.

Anyone been lately? I'm hoping someone has a recent ice report.
With all this warm weather I suspect I won't be driving on.

skain11

01-20-2014, 12:27 PM

I needed some shack nasty relief on saturday afternoon so headed out to Chain's south end....got there about two and not surprised to see over 100 groups on the ice with various combination of vehicles, tents, quads and dogs. Mostly everyone was driving on the ice, seemed to be about 3-4 inches of snow with no real slush. Looked like a great community day but I was needing something more isolated so headed up the highway and fished the north end for the first time. Just a couple of others parked there...easy walk on...they had some action but in the end all I got was a couple of good takes that I missed. But the weather was great, left the tent in the car and stayed till almost dark and then the wind picked up fast...

Flieguy

01-21-2014, 06:06 AM

Umm ,isnt that a cutbow of some discription. Lack of black spotting above the lateral line and the head ?? Great catch, brooder cutbow ??

I don't see any orange/red slashes. no slashes, no cutthroat. He does have minimal spots, but every fish is different.

And there aren't any "cutbow" brooders, the few cutts that are stocked are pure cutts, or as close to it as they can breed them.

My guess is it's a rainbow. Might've spent a lot of his time up the creek, or he's just a very lucky fellow who managed to not get hooked for 3 or 4 years in there.