Fishing on the open water and frozen lakes

So, where are the fish biting? Conditions, by now, have obviously changed since last weekend when I wrote this story, but most of our better opportunities to catch fish are unchanged. Who knows? By now, we might even have enough snow for skiing.

First, open water. Flathead Lake is kicking out a few lake trout to anglers brave enough to launch their boats and confident enough they can pull their boats back out of the water.

Lakers are pretty much done spawning and can be taken by down-rigging in deeper water. Zimmer Tackle reports macs taken on sausage in the Polson area.

Fly fishers should consider wading the Flathead River, especially on calm, sunny days. On one recent trip, we drifted two-fly rigs of size-14 Prince Nymphs at the bottom of riffles, searching for mountain whitefish. Struck out on whities, but fooled a nice cutthroat trout and two bull trout. Great bonus for Christmas week.

Regarding ice fishing, fishing on first ice is generally the best ice fishing of the year, and lack of snow will help ice thicken.

As of last weekend, area lakes already ice fished this year include Lower Stillwater, Lake Five, Smith and McWenneger Slough, east of Kalispell. Echo Lake, Lake Mary Ronan and the Thompson Chain Lakes are poised to freeze safely by the first of the year.

Shallow basin lakes lose their heat faster than deep lakes. In most cases, three inches of clear, snow-free ice will support one angler, so spread out your fishing party until the ice gets thicker.

Carrying a long rope in your sled is a good idea. Don't forget to tie a heavy object on one end so the rope can be thrown if needed.

Common sense and fresh maggots will make this a great ice fishing season for all.