Cold Lake 2023/24 Hard Water Season. - Page 5

58thecat · #**121** 02-01-2024, 06:09 AM

Ice is thick! 17-19 inches seems to be the norm. There are a few pressure ridges or what I like to call ice heaves and some are open and have wet areas. Little to no snow cover so people are enjoying taking their vehicles out onto the ice. As with any ice travel be careful, what was on your way out might not be the same on your way back…was out yesterday all over the lake and when I finally made my mind up where to hunker down well on my way back on the skidoo one area opened up for about 200 yards and there was lots of surface water so I went way around just to be on the safe side. Lakers were super aggressive yesterday throughout the day where I was fishing.
Enjoy your outing!!!

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58thecat · #**122** 02-01-2024, 06:26 AM

Was out yesterday and I tell ya the ride out was slow and had a little pucker factor going on as in the middle of the lake area there was some nice to look at ice heaves and water too on the surface so picked my way accordingly but it was worth it!
Had two double headers back to back on the dead stick and active rod, first drop with the spoon was picked off right away…drilled many holes from 60-130 fow in this area with the 130fow being the most active depth as it was at the bottom of a shelf and seemed to be their cruising area, bites were constant throughout the day with lots of chasing playing cat and mouse.

Even caught on this lure sent to me by a member here Coiloil from Australia. So got the monkey off my back.

Only got one that went 30 inches the rest were 25-28 inches and very feisty to the point I thought they were bigger.

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58thecat · #**123** 02-01-2024, 06:30 AM

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FAST_FREDDY · #**124** 02-01-2024, 12:20 PM

Thanks for the info appreciate it.

Trout_master_general · #**125** 02-01-2024, 04:15 PM

Hey, heading up tomorrow evening from Calgary.
Anybody know what the ice is like at the provincial park?
Thanks

58thecat · #**126** 02-01-2024, 04:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Trout_master_general

Hey, heading up tomorrow evening from Calgary.
Anybody know what the ice is like at the provincial park?
Thanks

Good thick ice, 19 inches just a wee bit rough going from when that area froze but only for a 100 yards or so.

Snow is melting so lots of areas with little to no snow on it.

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Trout_master_general · #**127** 02-01-2024, 05:31 PM

Awesome, thanks for the info.

foxracing_23 · #**128** 02-02-2024, 11:16 AM

Hey guys, Im looking to get into cold lake tonight around 9.
Id like to drive out from the PP launch, and set up the tent tonight.

Couple questions- Any heaves that way that I wont see in the dark?
Is there a good trail on the ice from the launch that i could follow?

Thanks for any input!

58thecat · #**129** 02-02-2024, 12:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by foxracing_23

Hey guys, Im looking to get into cold lake tonight around 9.
Id like to drive out from the PP launch, and set up the tent tonight.

Couple questions- Any heaves that way that I wont see in the dark?
Is there a good trail on the ice from the launch that i could follow?

Thanks for any input!

You’re good to go, a wee bit bumpy at first as you leave the launch but no ice heaves just head out and you will see the little village out there.
Good luck ohhh the burbs are biting pretty good too so wet a line once set up.

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ragweed · #**130** 02-02-2024, 04:12 PM

Save some bites for the week of the 19th. Looks like I’m going to be able to get up there for a couple of days of trouting!

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58thecat · #**131** 02-03-2024, 07:04 PM

Well we had a great day on the ice.
I get to play guide for the next week or so with family coming down to chase lakers.
Today I had the privilege of guiding my father in law who never iced fished so it was a true treat.
82 years young and acting like a kid which was simply awesome.
Lots of laughs as the wind picked up, tent folded in a few times and we had a yard sale inside but still managed to catch some true beauties for cold lake.
It rained on is, snowed a bit, sleet and yup a little bit of sun shine but the lakers cooperated so we couldn’t complain.

We managed to burn pizza pops on the buddy heater which we said was the reason the lakers kept us busy!

Lol

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Elchinodiablo · #**132** 02-03-2024, 08:18 PM

Anyone know if the tourney is sold out?

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Egymcara · #**133** 02-04-2024, 05:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Elchinodiablo

Anyone know if the tourney is sold out?

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Sold out in the first 30 hours

Elchinodiablo · #**134** 02-04-2024, 10:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Egymcara

Sold out in the first 30 hours

Yeah. Just wondering if there was last minute tickets. Looks like my schedule might work out. Thanks

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biggyJ · #**135** 02-04-2024, 10:11 AM

Coming up soon for a boys weekend. First time to the lake for the four of us.

What would you seasoned vets suggest for ice transportation on cold lake.

Trucks are our default.
But we have access to two sleds or a side by side.

58thecat · #**136** 02-04-2024, 10:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by biggyJ

Coming up soon for a boys weekend. First time to the lake for the four of us.

What would you seasoned vets suggest for ice transportation on cold lake.

Trucks are our default.
But we have access to two sleds or a side by side.

Right now you can scoot around in a truck or side by side easily. We are forecasted to get some snow in which then I would use a snow machine. It also depends on what your intentions are too, fishing the entire lake and covering many miles I would just go with a snowmobile.

Good luck.

58thecat · #**137** 02-06-2024, 01:39 PM

A wee bit windy but the fish are cooperating

Still at it hoping for a big big!

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Supermag · #**138** 02-06-2024, 02:06 PM

Awesome! Love your posts.

Looks like you didn't get too much snow. I think we are going to bring a quad to get around next week to get around on the lake.

Hopefully the big ones show up for the tourney!

Hartly · #**139** 02-06-2024, 09:20 PM

Is it possible to drive on to the lake from the Marina in town ? Heard there was an ice heave in that area .

Egymcara · #**140** 02-07-2024, 05:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hartly

Is it possible to drive on to the lake from the Marina in town ? Heard there was an ice heave in that area .

Its possible to drive on the lake, yes. The heave will prevent you from finding any deep water where people normally set up though. I haven't been out there in awhile but I don't imagine the situation has improved.

58thecat · #**141** 02-07-2024, 02:44 PM

Pulling up numbers but no size yet today, still ya never know what’s lurking below….just gotta put in the time and work the structure and depths.

Cold Lake Special 5 inch tube white glow is the ticket today.

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Binati · #**142** 02-07-2024, 03:33 PM

Ice still growing or stagnant? How about that snow it crusted or it going to drift yet.

Egymcara · #**143** 02-07-2024, 04:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Binati

Ice still growing or stagnant? How about that snow it crusted or it going to drift yet.

Ice isn't getting any thicker, its been too warm. Snow isn't a problem, just light powder basically.

58thecat · #**144** 02-07-2024, 05:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Egymcara

Ice isn't getting any thicker, its been too warm. Snow isn't a problem, just light powder basically.

Yup the snow has drifted over many of the ice heaves so you gotta keep an eye out when going off the beaten path. Some of the heaves are 2 -3 feet so hitting them would be a bone jarring experience and could get expensive.

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58thecat · #**145** 02-07-2024, 05:42 PM

Well even the guide gets a chance to land a few.

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AlbertanGP · #**146** 02-08-2024, 09:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 58thecat

Well even the guide gets a chance to land a few.

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You went for a sled ride.

58thecat · #**147** 02-08-2024, 10:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AlbertanGP

You went for a sled ride.

You bet!
All over the lake for three days, now to clean, repair gear, replenish and do it all over again

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mlee · #**148** 02-08-2024, 02:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 58thecat

You bet!
All over the lake for three days, now to clean, repair gear, replenish and do it all over again

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How far east of garnett have you been? Will a SXS without tracks get everywhere still?
Getting itchy lol....tournament in 7 days and I haven't even been out yet this winter lol.

Egymcara · #**149** 02-08-2024, 03:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mlee

How far east of garnett have you been? Will a SXS without tracks get everywhere still?
Getting itchy lol....tournament in 7 days and I haven't even been out yet this winter lol.

You can easily drive anywhere on the lake with any machine. I would drive my car out there if the launches weren't so steep

58thecat · #**150** 02-09-2024, 06:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Egymcara

You can easily drive anywhere on the lake with any machine. I would drive my car out there if the launches weren't so steep

Agree just gotta be careful and again we got a skiff snow last night. Over the surface area of Cold Lake it will drift in on those heaves, pressure ridges whatever you want to call them and next thing you know your hung up or worse.

Crossing from cold river over to English Bay Area I came across Pushed up ice chunks 3 feet tall and 1 foot thick.

On a sunny day you can get a better read of the surface but when socked in with low cloud cover and snowing it’s a take your time crossing even on the skidoo.

Last ice fishing tournament there was many vehicles that got busted up due to those hidden ice heaves.