Cold Lake 2023/24 Hard Water Season.

58thecat · #1 11-15-2023, 11:51 AM

Not yet but soon enough and I can’t wait!!!!
Back bays are iced over but this warm weather got me thinking if we don’t get a good drop in temperature I might get the kayak out!

Ice fishing gear is all ready just need good safe ice.
Be safe out there this season folks no fish is worth a life.
Will keep updating on what I see.

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AlbertanGP · #2 11-16-2023, 10:56 AM

Best thread of the hardwater season every year. Let's Goooooo....

58thecat · #3 11-17-2023, 08:44 AM

Dam back bays were slowly freezing but warmer temps kicked in

Got a freezer full of venison pepperoni just waiting to be consumed while ice fishing just need hard water.

Or I might need to venture north....way north

Curtsyneil · #4 11-17-2023, 08:51 AM

Well don’t wait till hard ice to snack on some of that pepperoni!!!

SNAPFisher · #5 11-17-2023, 09:34 AM

Wooot! I like what I'm seeing for long term forecast. Change is coming for Wednesday. Looks to be near -20s overnight. The ice will be back soon

Egymcara · #6 11-19-2023, 07:15 PM

Made it out on the boat today for a few hours in front of the marina. I forgot how much fun lake trout fishing was! Action was pretty constant and it was enough to satisfy the "itch" until we get some ice ! Looking forward to this thread for the 2024 season.

Cheers

SNAPFisher · #7 11-20-2023, 08:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SNAPFisher

Wooot! I like what I'm seeing for long term forecast. Change is coming for Wednesday. Looks to be near -20s overnight. The ice will be back soon

And it flip flopped again

. It looks to be colder but still above normal. It will be a slow start this year on the major lakes.

-JR- · #8 11-20-2023, 10:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Egymcara

Made it out on the boat today for a few hours in front of the marina. I forgot how much fun lake trout fishing was! Action was pretty constant and it was enough to satisfy the "itch" until we get some ice ! Looking forward to this thread for the 2024 season.

Cheers

Any other boats on the water ?

58thecat · #9 11-20-2023, 02:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by -JR-

Any other boats on the water ?

Seen one that launched at the provincial park a few days ago.

9 degrees out that day and calm so why not.

Hopefully we sink into a deep freeze for a few weeks, calm winds and no snow to make good ice.

Egymcara · #10 11-20-2023, 05:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by -JR-

Any other boats on the water ?

One other boat launched after us but I was surprised there wasn't way more on the water. Such nice weather for mid Nov and prime for lake trout fishing.

AlbertanGP · #11 11-22-2023, 11:44 AM

Looks like you guys are getting some colder nights over there. I hate you...

sns2 · #12 11-22-2023, 08:07 PM

Great thread. Looking forward to all the pics!

58thecat · #13 11-23-2023, 07:57 AM

-12 out this morning....

Little lakes are icing over nicely...

We need -20 to -30 for a week or two....no snow nor high winds then once we get 12" of ice put a nice layer of 12" of snow on top.

Just gotta get enough ice 7" for me to walk out from the ski hill or marina area as the bite early for lakers is crazy good.

58thecat · #14 11-23-2023, 02:45 PM

Can hardly wait!!!

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FearNoFish · #15 11-23-2023, 09:16 PM

Hey Guys
Fished pigeon last Saturday and the launch was wide open and the walleye were hungry. Before I burn four hours of gas and hit cold this weekend, just want to check that the provincial launch is still ice free and open.
Thanks
Brandon

58thecat · #16 11-24-2023, 08:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FearNoFish

Hey Guys
Fished pigeon last Saturday and the launch was wide open and the walleye were hungry. Before I burn four hours of gas and hit cold this weekend, just want to check that the provincial launch is still ice free and open.
Thanks
Brandon

Your good to go....catch'em up!!!!

58thecat · #17 11-30-2023, 03:34 PM

Well went out to the big lake, lots of geese

no ice

So went around and found good ice on smaller lakes so gonna scratch the itch tomorrow.

Gotta do something

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Elchinodiablo · #18 11-30-2023, 04:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 58thecat

Well went out to the big lake, lots of geese

no ice

So went around and found good ice on smaller lakes so gonna scratch the itch tomorrow.

Gotta do something

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Thats not the post I wanted to hear from you!!

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Wapiti340 · #19 12-05-2023, 09:34 PM

Well…. How’s the shorelines looking? It’s funny once you get into laker fishing your praying for cold weather… I’d love a nice 2 week cold snap of -30. Are people still launching boats?

Frank_NK28 · #20 12-05-2023, 09:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 58thecat

Well went out to the big lake, lots of geese

no ice

So went around and found good ice on smaller lakes so gonna scratch the itch tomorrow.

Gotta do something

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Push those geese this way will you. I could go for another goose shoot before ice fishing starts!

58thecat · #21 12-06-2023, 01:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wapiti340

Well…. How’s the shorelines looking? It’s funny once you get into laker fishing your praying for cold weather… I’d love a nice 2 week cold snap of -30. Are people still launching boats?

Back bays are ice covered, main body of water open, boats are still going out, seen a few kayakers too....crazy warm still.

58thecat · #22 12-08-2023, 06:48 AM

Tic....toc...tic...toc....

-10 ain’t gonna cut it....come on -30....

Frank_NK28 · #23 12-08-2023, 07:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 58thecat

Tic....toc...tic...toc....

-10 ain’t gonna cut it....come on -30....

I'm perfectly fine if we don't get any -30 weather and I'd say if the long range forecast stays true it will be the 2024 season before anyone is even walking out to fish on the main lake...

elkhunter11 · #24 12-08-2023, 07:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Frank_NK28

I'm perfectly fine if we don't get any -30 weather.

Me as well, a short mild winter , and an early spring,would make me happy. I am not big on ice fishing, so an earlier breakup would suit me fine.

58thecat · #25 12-08-2023, 07:47 AM

Frank and Elk ya just got a time out....sending you two to a tropical place

Frank_NK28 · #26 12-08-2023, 12:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 58thecat

Frank and Elk ya just got a time out....sending you two to a tropical place

All expense paid I hope?

58thecat · #27 12-12-2023, 01:45 PM

Pictures taken from French bay MD campground boat launch looking out into French bay.
Ice is slowly making its way out to the big water.
Generally speaking French bay freezes over and has good safe ice quicker than the rest of the lake.
-17 last night but warmer temps are forecasted so it looks like a long wait for the lake to freeze over.

Kinda like waiting for a Xmas that won’t happen.

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AlbertanGP · #28 12-12-2023, 02:08 PM

Still trying to figure out if I'm going to be able to fish Cold Lake on my way back from northern Saskatchewan around January 10th. Might just have to slum it at Peerless or Bistcho instead.

hamster · #29 12-12-2023, 04:28 PM

Same here I'm usually at Cold lake first weekend of Jan concerned that's not going to happen this year 😕

58thecat · #30 12-13-2023, 06:35 AM

Also can’t believe how low the lake is too....we need a deep freeze to make good safe ice and then a good dump of snow over and over plus a wet spring.

These little lakes are fun but pulling up lakers is the bestest....