Spray Lake thread

FlyTheory · #1 11-19-2018, 10:50 AM

So everyone this season will be my second time fishing spray lakes. I did last year and hooked up about 8 times in 45' of water off a sunken island. I got out there and lost my medium action rod, so I was fishing with my backup UL rod... and lost every one I hooked because I didn't have the power. It seemed to be all lakers though...

Im going back when the ice freezes up over Christmas. How come people fish deep on this lake? For the veterans of spray lake, why do you go so deep? Do you look for structure? Ive watched the videos on youtube, and they say to "go deep" but no one has an explanation for why.
Obviously I dont want spots I'm just looking for some tips on what part of the lake to hit up next. I was thinking the far south end...

Thanks in advance!

bitterrootfly · #2 11-19-2018, 10:57 AM

Sounds like you have found a good spot, especially for spray, I’d stick with it... use smaller stronger hooks and you can land them on an UL no problem.

Scott N · #3 11-19-2018, 10:59 AM

I'm not an expert by any means, but a few years ago I started to ice fish Spray, and after a few mostly unsuccessful trips, I bought a flasher. My fishing success went up as you might expect, but I've noticed that just about all the fish we mark come up from the bottom, and more often than not in 80' of water or deeper. Not always, but I'd say 80% or more come from deep water from my own personal and limited observations. Disclaimer - I'm talking about lakers, not whitefish.

bitterrootfly · #4 11-19-2018, 11:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Scott N

I'm not an expert by any means, but a few years ago I started to ice fish Spray, and after a few mostly unsuccessful trips, I bought a flasher. My fishing success went up as you might expect, but I've noticed that just about all the fish we mark come up from the bottom, and more often than not in 80' of water or deeper. Not always, but I'd say 80% or more come from deep water from my own personal and limited observations. Disclaimer - I'm talking about lakers, not whitefish.

I was in a similar boat and have the same observations.

FlyTheory · #5 11-19-2018, 04:51 PM

Thanks for the tips guys. I wonder why the lakers are generally deeper.. makes a guy wonder

biggyJ · #6 11-19-2018, 05:23 PM

My father in law thinks it’s for the following reasons:

Eyes are on top of their head and they naturally look up, so easier to suspend below with little movement and look up.

Easier to swim up then down, and better ambush position. Just like sharks.

Baitfish agsinst the bright ice or sky are easier to see from below.

More oxygen and springs in the deep water. They prefer colder more oxygenated water.

That’s what he told me icefishing one time when I asked.

JReed · #7 11-19-2018, 05:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Scott N

I'm not an expert by any means, but a few years ago I started to ice fish Spray, and after a few mostly unsuccessful trips, I bought a flasher. My fishing success went up as you might expect, but I've noticed that just about all the fish we mark come up from the bottom, and more often than not in 80' of water or deeper. Not always, but I'd say 80% or more come from deep water from my own personal and limited observations. Disclaimer - I'm talking about lakers, not whitefish.

Now that you have a flasher, do you find that the fish take the lure on the way down? Do you think a lot of guys without flashers miss strikes because the lure is so far down and it takes a while for the strike to translate from the line to the rod tip?

Been to spray a few times myself, and find it hard to find the lakers, probably because I don't have electronics, except a camera. I usually switch to whitefish around noon, however, I've caught a few small lakers in 6 FOW while fishing for whites.

Scott N · #8 11-19-2018, 06:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JReed

Now that you have a flasher, do you find that the fish take the lure on the way down? Do you think a lot of guys without flashers miss strikes because the lure is so far down and it takes a while for the strike to translate from the line to the rod tip?

Been to spray a few times myself, and find it hard to find the lakers, probably because I don't have electronics, except a camera. I usually switch to whitefish around noon, however, I've caught a few small lakers in 6 FOW while fishing for whites.

I've definitely had fish take the lure (usually a smelt tipped jig) on the way down, but I'm not sure if that's their usual take. I'm not sure how much of a real world difference it makes, but I use a braided line with a swivel and a fluorocarbon leader to avoid my line stretching to any degree. I'm usually not jigging very actively, so I can usually feel most nibbles. I'm using a light weight or ultra lightweight rod / reel with usually 6# braided line and a 4# leader.

bitterrootfly · #9 11-20-2018, 02:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JReed

Now that you have a flasher, do you find that the fish take the lure on the way down? Do you think a lot of guys without flashers miss strikes because the lure is so far down and it takes a while for the strike to translate from the line to the rod tip?

Been to spray a few times myself, and find it hard to find the lakers, probably because I don't have electronics, except a camera. I usually switch to whitefish around noon, however, I've caught a few small lakers in 6 FOW while fishing for whites.

I’ve always caught lakers out deep always wanted to try for whitefish, do you catch them shallow in sandy areas? The ones I catch fly fishing (lakes and rivers) fall to wire worms more often than not, do you use similar lures when ice fishing them.

JReed · #10 11-20-2018, 04:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bitterrootfly

I’ve always caught lakers out deep always wanted to try for whitefish, do you catch them shallow in sandy areas? The ones I catch fly fishing (lakes and rivers) fall to wire worms more often than not, do you use similar lures when ice fishing them.

Yep, shallow(2-4 FOW) with sandy/rocky bottom and a few weeds or structure around. Use sz.14 nymphs (Prince or copper brassies are best) tied in-line with a weight on the bottom. Tipping the nymphs with a pink maggot, or just using a bare sz.14 hook with pink maggot works good too. Rest the weight on the bottom so the line is tight. Gently banging the weight on the bottom every now and then will strike their curiosity. Rockies are a lot dumber than lake whites

Ton of fun if you find a school and you have a shack, you can see all your takes. No shack, just rest the weight on the bottom so the line is tight and clip a bell to your rod.

Spooner · #11 11-22-2018, 12:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JReed

Yep, shallow(2-4 FOW) with sandy/rocky bottom and a few weeds or structure around. Use sz.14 nymphs (Prince or copper brassies are best) tied in-line with a weight on the bottom. Tipping the nymphs with a pink maggot, or just using a bare sz.14 hook with pink maggot works good too. Rest the weight on the bottom so the line is tight. Gently banging the weight on the bottom every now and then will strike their curiosity. Rockies are a lot dumber than lake whites

Ton of fun if you find a school and you have a shack, you can see all your takes. No shack, just rest the weight on the bottom so the line is tight and clip a bell to your rod.

sounds like a great technique

Sundancefisher · #12 11-20-2018, 11:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FlyTheory

So everyone this season will be my second time fishing spray lakes. I did last year and hooked up about 8 times in 45' of water off a sunken island. I got out there and lost my medium action rod, so I was fishing with my backup UL rod... and lost every one I hooked because I didn't have the power. It seemed to be all lakers though...

Im going back when the ice freezes up over Christmas. How come people fish deep on this lake? For the veterans of spray lake, why do you go so deep? Do you look for structure? Ive watched the videos on youtube, and they say to "go deep" but no one has an explanation for why.
Obviously I dont want spots I'm just looking for some tips on what part of the lake to hit up next. I was thinking the far south end...

Thanks in advance!

Reservoir with little side structure except for contours and depth changes. I find my best success in the past for lakers at Spray has been 60-80 feet of water off a point.

Sundancefisher · #13 12-27-2018, 10:33 AM

I want to hit Spray on Friday or Saturday.

raw outdoors · #14 12-27-2018, 06:09 PM

I am going back out tomorrow. I feel defeated from yesterday. Tomorrow I will be going ultra light running and gunning and trying to hunt down some new locations with the fat bike and trailer.

Fwee6 · #15 12-27-2018, 07:23 PM

I went out today. Late start, didn’t have a line in the water til 9am which didn’t help the cause. Started in 98ft with nothing, then moved to 75 ft. Fishing in general was very slow. I managed to land 4 before leaving at 1pm, only one of which was worth keeping. First time I’ve ever been at Spray (winter or summer) that there wasn’t a stitch of wind. -17C when I left the truck though. Ice was booming big time, about 14 inches.

Good luck to those heading out this weekend.

Sundancefisher · #16 12-27-2018, 07:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fwee6

I went out today. Late start, didn’t have a line in the water til 9am which didn’t help the cause. Started in 98ft with nothing, then moved to 75 ft. Fishing in general was very slow. I managed to land 4 before leaving at 1pm, only one of which was worth keeping. First time I’ve ever been at Spray (winter or summer) that there wasn’t a stitch of wind. -17C when I left the truck though. Ice was booming big time, about 14 inches.

Good luck to those heading out this weekend.

What was working?

Fwee6 · #17 12-27-2018, 08:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sundancefisher

What was working?

Every bite I had was a result of the flasher -- without it I suspect I would have been skunked. White tube tipped with smelt, otherwise a smaller Swedish Pimple tipped with smelt.

PlayDoh · #18 12-29-2018, 10:43 AM

Do people drive on ever? I’d imagine the ice doesn’t get any better than there.
Can you access the ranger station? I’m itching to go.

Scott N · #19 12-29-2018, 10:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PlayDoh

Do people drive on ever? I’d imagine the ice doesn’t get any better than there.
Can you access the ranger station? I’m itching to go.

You definitely are not allowed to drive on the ice there.

PlayDoh · #20 12-29-2018, 11:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Scott N

You definitely are not allowed to drive on the ice there.

10-4. And likely no motorized at all. Makes sense. Thanks. I only drive on tracks, and I suspected it was forbidden.
Same for Minnewanka? I’m certain it’s a no motorboat, which translates to no drive on I’m presuming.

Scott N · #21 12-29-2018, 11:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PlayDoh

10-4. And likely no motorized at all. Makes sense. Thanks. I only drive on tracks, and I suspected it was forbidden.
Same for Minnewanka? I’m certain it’s a no motorboat, which translates to no drive on I’m presuming.

Yes, you are correct about no motorized vehicles on Spray, although I've had a license check done by someone on a sled before. Motorboats are ok on Spray though.

JReed · #22 12-31-2018, 05:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PlayDoh

10-4. And likely no motorized at all. Makes sense. Thanks. I only drive on tracks, and I suspected it was forbidden.
Same for Minnewanka? I’m certain it’s a no motorboat, which translates to no drive on I’m presuming.

Can’t ice fish National Park waters, Minnewanka is NP.

Sundancefisher · #23 12-31-2018, 06:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JReed

Can’t ice fish National Park waters, Minnewanka is NP.

Quote:

Originally Posted by PlayDoh

10-4. And likely no motorized at all. Makes sense. Thanks. I only drive on tracks, and I suspected it was forbidden.
Same for Minnewanka? I’m certain it’s a no motorboat, which translates to no drive on I’m presuming.

National parks are different.

For Spray Lakes...

Can’t find anything that says you can’t drive on it. However Spray Lake water level can fall and create dangerous cracks as well as difficult icy egress slopes. I personally would never drive on a reservoir used for hydro electric purposes. https://www.transalta.com/facilities...eration/spray/

Didn’t see any cars on it however did see quads. While the lake is long, the road parallels it. Is also narrow so easy to walk across.

Motor boats are allowed on the lake.