Clear Lake and PCR report - Page 2

nicemustang · #31 12-10-2009, 12:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by slingshotz

Like many others here, I can't believe that F&W isn't considering the idea of perch. They are one of the natural food sources for pike and eyes. Although with the amount of eyes and burbs currently in PCR, I doubt that even the crazy reproduction rate of perch could keep them alive long enough to spawn.

Speaking of perch...I haven't been on the lake with the boat, but from what I remember it isn't very deep. Would it support a perch popluation that likes deeper water to survive?

SuCraM · #32 12-10-2009, 01:57 PM

Sweet lets plan for next Wednesday I am off and a day on PCR in the nice warm shack sounds like fun. Weather is calling for sunny and 1 so lets do it boys.

nicemustang · #33 12-10-2009, 03:03 PM

Yes I am game.

Jack&7 · #34 12-10-2009, 03:05 PM

You guys are killing me! I can't do a weekday very easily....unless I get a 24 hr. flu bug. *cough, cough....hack, wheeze*

If that were to possibly happen next Thursday, I'm sure my doctor would recommend a little R n' R. I can't think what would be better than some peace and quiet in the outdoors.

I really don't think I could stand sitting here waiting for you guys to post pics and a report of how awesome a time you had.

Keep me in the loop.

jts1 · #35 12-10-2009, 04:10 PM

Its a date....... Well not a date like that , but a man date.... HMMM nope that dont sound right either. I will just see you guys

there

WayneChristie · #36 12-10-2009, 06:24 PM

thinking of heading down there this Sunday, save me a few fish

BTW that 30 pound pike has my name on it

lucky for her shes full of mercury, so she will be even scarier next Summer off the dock.

#37 12-10-2009, 06:55 PM

"Speaking of perch...I haven't been on the lake with the boat, but from what I remember it isn't very deep. Would it support a perch popluation that likes deeper water to survive?"

Its plenty deep. The main limiting factor for perch in there would be lack of aquatic weeds. I think they'd establish themselves but i believe there's concerns about perch being introduced into Willow Creek downstream of the reservoir. Lake whitefish would do very very well in there as well (spawning wise) and would more likely be the forage species of choice if anything's ever done. Clear Lake is another waterbody in that area where perch stocking was discussed when it was altered a few years back. The locals say it was a really productive perch lake about 30-40 years ago before low water levels wiped out all the sport fish. I wouldn't doubt the bucket brigade has tried but with the amount of predatory fish in those lakes it would take a more official effort than what was needed to wreck half the trout fisheries in central Alberta.

Jack&7 · #38 12-10-2009, 09:48 PM

I am seriously toying with the idea of heading down there on Saturday. Sounds like the only decent day of the weekend. Anyone interested in a PCR trip?

pm me...

slingshotz · #39 12-10-2009, 09:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nicemustang

Speaking of perch...I haven't been on the lake with the boat, but from what I remember it isn't very deep. Would it support a perch popluation that likes deeper water to survive?

It's much deeper than you think. I was out at the bridge last year about 150 feet from the shore and my flasher registered like 60-70 feet deep. It drops off real fast from the bridge. The one thing I can't figure out is why the fish aren't stunting in Clear, theres no whitefish, perch or walleye so I keep wondering what the hell do the big burbs and pike in there eat. Clear is only 16 feet at the deepest part too.

I really hope that F&W will consider stocking PCR with perch. I fear that someday the bucket brigade will do it and as a result of the regs we'll be screwed out of keeping a few perch or eyes. (although with the mercury warning I probably wouldn't keep them anyways).

calgarygringo · #40 12-10-2009, 10:03 PM

Yes PCR has many deep holes. On the fishfinder there are many 60 foot plus deep holes out there. Some are near the bridge end and several near the campground end.
For benefit of anyone maybe wanting to get together next week I made an error on my days off. I am off Mon-Wed and probably could make a day out if anyone interested in doing a burbot fest....

#41 12-10-2009, 10:16 PM

"The one thing I can't figure out is why the fish aren't stunting in Clear, theres no whitefish, perch or walleye so I keep wondering what the hell do the big burbs and pike in there eat. Clear is only 16 feet at the deepest part too"

Clear Lake is basically a big fish growing factory, would be classified as borderline eutrophic. When you look at the weed biomass there is a lot of scuds/ bugs to feed small fish. Once the Pike are big enough to start eating fish it's full of suckers, chubs, and other minnows for them to eat (still fueled by the abundance of small food items). They do continue eating scuds when they're large though; I know of 20 lb+ pike that had their guts stuffed full of the little scuds in other southern Alberta Lakes.

In addition, Clear Lake was an existing waterbody prior to the diversion and pike stocking meaning it had a long time to develop and accumulate food.
Pine Coulee on the other hand is mostly deep (i think the dam is between 20-25 metres high) with limited shallow weedy areas. Plus it was stocked with millions of walleye even before it was completely filled meaning the forage base didn't have time to get established. Twin Valley is kind of the lake in between those two (with many many many suckers to feed the pike).

madatter · #42 12-10-2009, 10:49 PM

Speaking of Twin Valley next time I'm in the Calgary area I might try it......about where does one fish the lake?
I've only been there once but from what I remember access to the lake is pretty limited????

fishingnut · #43 12-11-2009, 12:35 PM

Been hearing from guys saying that this year the ice seems to harder which in turn is alot harder to cut htrought hen in the past. How was the ice for cutting through? Was it any different from any other year?

madatter · #44 12-11-2009, 02:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fishingnut

Been hearing from guys saying that this year the ice seems to harder which in turn is alot harder to cut htrought hen in the past. How was the ice for cutting through? Was it any different from any other year?

Depends alot on the ambient temp....
I would say that I had "hard" ice on both Clear and PCR but when you are dealing with days of -20C weather it should be.Not to mention that ice is clear of snow which builds I beleive harder ice..

ragweed · #45 12-11-2009, 02:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jack&7

I am seriously toying with the idea of heading down there on Saturday. Sounds like the only decent day of the weekend. Anyone interested in a PCR trip?

pm me...

I'm planning on trying it on Saturday as well. I'll be in a black FJ cruiser.

sweet_marie_8 · #46 12-12-2009, 01:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by calgarygringo

Like the walleyes the burbs are mostly all clones to each other. We have caught the odd bigger one but only a few. Here is a last year clone catch for the deep fryer.

When we go for the big guys we head over to Crawling Valley. There we never catch them this small. Not as many but 7-10 lbs is not unusual. 4-5 lb one from there are more common as well as some nice just keeper sized pike.

Well I would like to see ya with a Walleye! Not just Jack Fish! For you less informed, the Jack Fish is well known in FSJ, BC. If you want to catch a " so called Pike, AKA Jack Fish, you better be dedicated to a day of battle! For those who have never caught a REAL Walleye there is a simple way.... During the summer pink grub's have worked beautifuly! Walleye are a very good food source and I would not shy away from the pink!

sweet_marie_8 · #47 12-12-2009, 01:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by calgarygringo

Like the walleyes the burbs are mostly all clones to each other. We have caught the odd bigger one but only a few. Here is a last year clone catch for the deep fryer.

When we go for the big guys we head over to Crawling Valley. There we never catch them this small. Not as many but 7-10 lbs is not unusual. 4-5 lb one from there are more common as well as some nice just keeper sized pike.

What is the average size of those pike?

Jimboy · #48 12-12-2009, 02:09 AM

So whats the setup to catch burbot , never caught one or tasted one , do you use smelt or what , thank you.

calgarygringo · #49 12-12-2009, 05:55 AM

Just drop a smelt, minnow or almost anything on a big jig just off the bottom. Give it the odd movement here and there to dust up the bottom and voila you will find them. Best time is just before dark and the night time fishing. Be sure to start when everyone else is heading home for dinner as they bite later on. Just remember they are like a cat and sniff the bait, play with it etc. before they bite. Not like some of the pike and walleyes that sometimes gulp down the bait in a second. If you catch a big one be ready for a fight. Be carefule coming up the holes as well with the bigger ones as they like to wrap up like a snake and sometimes can shake off. If you live south go to PCR for a tuneup then go to CV for the big boys and have some fun.

Freedom55 · #50 12-12-2009, 07:30 AM

I've caught only one burbot ever, apparently the wrong way,at the Gull lake derby 2008 while vigorously jigging a 4' Williams Wobbler whitefish (4" gold and silver), 5 minutes before the bell, in a rotten mood because the organizers just announced a change in the rules with 1/2 hour left in the day and it was looking like only certain special tickets were to qualify for the draw for any unclaimed prizes.
And because the day was nearly over and I had exhausted every (legal)trick in the book and still no fish to enter. For the 5th year in a row. The whole lake was P.O'd and the specially marked tickets seemed to be few and far between.
I was seriously hauling that spoon up and letting it fall, hauling it up and letting it fall, when bam! 6.92 lb ling cod, lip hooked and fair, weighed in at 2:58 PM. Placed 9th, won a nice prize, and improved my mood exponentially.
Fluke? or what?
BTW. The organizers quickly abandoned the new rule when they assayed the mood of the mob (estimated to be 4000 angry Albertans)) and gave out the last 25 prizes as advertised. The 2009 derby was a whole new ballgame, but that's another thread already touched on for the 2010 event.

Dave Si

Jimboy · #51 12-12-2009, 10:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by calgarygringo

Just drop a smelt, minnow or almost anything on a big jig just off the bottom. Give it the odd movement here and there to dust up the bottom and voila you will find them. Best time is just before dark and the night time fishing. Be sure to start when everyone else is heading home for dinner as they bite later on. Just remember they are like a cat and sniff the bait, play with it etc. before they bite. Not like some of the pike and walleyes that sometimes gulp down the bait in a second. If you catch a big one be ready for a fight. Be carefule coming up the holes as well with the bigger ones as they like to wrap up like a snake and sometimes can shake off. If you live south go to PCR for a tuneup then go to CV for the big boys and have some fun.

Thank you , you are very kind and helpfull just what this forum is all about .

ragweed · #52 12-12-2009, 05:21 PM

Went to PCR today. It was slower than I expected, however it was also my first time. We fished in front of the bridge and right at the bridge.
Definitely hooked into some HUGE Ling. 3 of which made it to the top of the hole before letting go/breaking off.
Caught a bunch of perfect pan size Wally's too. (I know...no keep zone.)
All in all it was a pretty fun day, but oh boy was it cold. 40 mph winds and minus 30 to start. It was definitely a test day for all the equipment.

Alta_Redneck · #53 12-12-2009, 05:36 PM

Ive never fished this lake before but have been looking forward to trying it this hard water season. I'm not looking for anybody's holes but was just wondering if it was a easy lake to fish? manily looking to get into some Eye's I find them a blast through the ice when you get into a bunch. what's the depth of water around the campground ? Anybody have a dpeth chart of the lake? or wher ei could find one thanks for help.

calgarygringo · #54 12-12-2009, 06:49 PM

Here is a big secret spot at PCR but keep it a secret......
Go down the boat ramp and fish just to the left in 15-20 ft or go right in front of the campground area and you can cath wallyes and burbs all you like. If you go in the summer watch for a guy at the end of the dock with a hat that owns the place. He catches fish all day and night and gets monster pike looking at him as well. You may even see him on the board occasionally..........

npauls · #55 12-12-2009, 07:08 PM

I headed out to pcr also today. We had a really good day. Steady action the whole time just in front of the boat launch. Tons of ice cracking and it was a little scary with a couple people driving on right by where we were fishing. Made for some uneasy times when the ice was snapping enough to shake the homemade hut. Ended up hooking into a pig of a pike but lost it at the hole.

Nate

calgarygringo · #56 12-12-2009, 07:13 PM

How thick was the ice, may head out Wednesday with the shack....

WayneChristie · #57 12-12-2009, 07:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by npauls

I headed out to pcr also today. We had a really good day. Steady action the whole time just in front of the boat launch. Tons of ice cracking and it was a little scary with a couple people driving on right by where we were fishing. Made for some uneasy times when the ice was snapping enough to shake the homemade hut. Ended up hooking into a pig of a pike but lost it at the hole.

Nate

did you see my name tattooed on that pike?

Im starting to feel like Ahab, one of these days Im going to get her

would like to tomorrow but its too cold to drive that far. Maybe look for her relatives closer to home.

madatter · #58 12-12-2009, 07:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by npauls

I headed out to pcr also today. We had a really good day. Steady action the whole time just in front of the boat launch. Tons of ice cracking and it was a little scary with a couple people driving on right by where we were fishing. Made for some uneasy times when the ice was snapping enough to shake the homemade hut. Ended up hooking into a pig of a pike but lost it at the hole.

Nate

Guys are driving on the lake??
I was there on Wednesday and there is no way on earth I'd be driving on that ice!!

rustynailz · #59 12-12-2009, 07:24 PM

Yeah, to drive on there now you'd have to have no concern for your own safety. Sketchy!

Jack&7 · #60 12-12-2009, 08:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by calgarygringo

How thick was the ice, may head out Wednesday with the shack....

if you want to push it to Thursday, I'd go with you! Let me know. See if we can go catch Wayne's pike!