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.

58thecat · #8 11-23-2023, 02:45 PM

Can hardly wait!!!

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FearNoFish · #9 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 · #10 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 · #11 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 · #12 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 · #13 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?

58thecat · #14 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 · #15 12-08-2023, 06:48 AM

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

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

Frank_NK28 · #16 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 · #17 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 · #18 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 · #19 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 · #20 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....

RDFisher · #21 12-14-2023, 08:27 AM

Definitely not your imagination on the low water levels. From Water Survey of Canada:

There are some large water license users that draw from Cold Lake. My bet is that they've had to turn off their pumps or will be having to very soon.

Would love to get up to Cold Lake and do some lake trout fishing. Haven't been, but as an Albertan, it's on my bucket list!

foxracing_23 · #22 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!

FearNoFish · #23 12-19-2023, 09:47 PM

Anybody have the latest ? Are we ice fishing over the holidays?

58thecat · #24 12-20-2023, 06:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FearNoFish

Anybody have the latest ? Are we ice fishing over the holidays?

Nope, unless you bring a boat or cast from shore, could be wrong if the weather dips to -20 or colder for a few weeks but that’s not in the forecast.....I am thinking mid January ish.....maybe

AlbertanGP · #25 12-20-2023, 08:01 AM

I have around 20 locations in western Canada saved in my Weather Network app I check every morning, and the only place consistently cold in all of Alberta is High Level. Even Peerless Lake hasn't been that cold yet.

At least the shallower lakes are still making ice with the lack of snow. Sucks for the deep ones though.

ragweed · #26 12-20-2023, 09:10 AM

Thanks for the continual updates folks. It makes a huge difference for us who have to plan ahead.

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FearNoFish · #27 12-20-2023, 08:44 PM

Agreed. It’s hours of driving and liters of gas. You guys rock.

58thecat · #28 12-21-2023, 06:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FearNoFish

Agreed. It’s hours of driving and liters of gas. You guys rock.

I feel for people wanting to go out on an adventure, make plans, book days off, meals, gas and travel all adds up real quick so I figure a little help along the way especially from a local can make the trip that much more enjoyable.

Last year I fished from Manitoba all the way to Vancouver island. Zig zagging the provinces and I sure did appreciate members on this forum for all the great assistance along the way

Gonna take a drive today and check on the big lake maybe toss a few spoons from shore.

58thecat · #29 12-20-2023, 12:56 PM

Sitting on 16 inches of ice catching trout, not lakers and that’s not the island on Cold Lake.

But it scratches the ice hole itch.

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Egymcara · #30 12-20-2023, 05:08 PM

Looking back on photos from last year... I had my tent set up on French Bay Dec.10 catching lakers. What a difference from year to year.