The north and middle basins are pretty iced over right now but the heavy winds have helped open up more water. At this point the ice is thin due to warmer temperatures this week. Friday we are expecting more cold temperatures with high temperatures below freezing. ?Į?ĮWe received a solid 6 inches of snow last night. This morning was nice as the sky cleared a little allowing all of us to dig out. But, now the temperatures are dropping and already at 25 degrees F. We are expecting single digit temps in the morning as long as the skies stay clear overnight.

Friday is looking to be mostly sunny but clouds are expected to move in by late afternoon. Fridays high temperature is expected to reach 28 degrees F and bottom out at 13 F.


We still have a chance of snow over the weekend but chances at this time are 20 to 30 percent. Expect high temperatures in the mid 30's and lows in the low 20's.

Winds are also expected between 5 and 10 mph so bundle up!

The ramp at the south end still has open water but as of late this afternoon the county had not plowed it out. More open water is showing in Spalding and Stones Landing but the ramps are still iced over. Carry chains with you this time of year. Eagle Lake Road from Susanville has been plowed however, there are many areas where the snow drifts over the road so be careful.

Fishing Report

?ĮMuch of the north and middle basins have opened up due to warm temperatures and winds to 20 mph. But, the ramps are still frozen over. There is still ice along the shoreline and at this point, the open water is still inaccessible from the shore.

The bite has finally picked up for the average shore fishermen! No one dared to launch a boat this morning but open water remains at the Eagle Lake marina. Chain up if it isn't plowed.

The west side of the south basin (Lake of the Woods) has been fishing pretty well but I always like to know I can access the fish when they don't come in to water any shallower than 10 feet. This is one reason that I always suggest having a float tube.

The east side along the Springs to Eagles Nest has had its good days and bad days however, fish are starting to move around in that area now and more folks are starting to catch them. Shore access for vehicles is limited to Eagles Nest subdivision which can be inaccessible during inclement weather. Most all shore access is limited to walking.

A few more are being caught off the Jetty and Pikes Point at the marina but it has had a few "off" days. But, that is just fishing!

Fish are being caught at the 3 to 7 ft depths in 10 to 20 feet of water; while those fishing the deeper water (30 to 50 feet) are not only finding fish on top water but at 18 to 24 ft too. Typically the lake becomes the same temperature throughout the water column this time of year and the fish are caught at many different levels above 30 feet. When the bite slows up, I tend to go to the more natural colors of brown or olive over bright and flashy colors.

Best lures

Sure Catch: Large Red Dog, Medium Goldie Locks, Medium Zebra, medium Gator.

Needle Fish: Fire, Florescent orange (pearl or brass back), rainbow trout, frog.

Rapala's and minnow imitations work best where minnows are present. Nightcrawlers behind dodgers are also a productive method this time of year.

Grubs in olive, brown, black, watermelon and orange have also been top producers.

Trolling Flies

Plain Jane brown has still out fished many of the other popular colors. Florescent orange (J Fairs "hot one" has produced some fish but will steadily get better as water temperatures drop causing the native shrimp to turn orange.

Bait fishermen using nightcrawlers have also found some action. Be sure to have some attractant along. Garlic Gravy and Krill have been the most successful flavors. Powerbait (Nitro etc) in combination with nightcrawlers fished off the bottom has also worked well in the past. Colors include Florescent orange, chartreuse, rainbow and occasionally red or hot pink. If you are using powerbait (or similar floating bait) to float your nightcrawler off the bottom, be sure you use enough to do the job. Test it before you toss it. Small marshmallows are also a favorite treat when used in combination with a nightcrawlers.

Shore Fishing

Shore fishing has picked up. Some days the fish have not moved in close until later in the morning but at least more fish are foraging along the shoreline now. Using longer rods for steelhead and salmon will cast much farther than the typical 6 foot rod from shore. Accesses to shore fishing in the south basin include Pikes Point and the jetty at the Eagle Lake Marina, Christie Day Use area and the Circus Grounds, Wildcat Point (via Brockman Lava Beds). The Youth Camp is accessible from Merrillville Road in Willow Creek Valley on highway 139.

Jig fishermen have used long rods for years just lighten up the pound test on the spool. Jig colors that work best are natural wild turkey (almost black once wet) olive and brown. Occasionally when the water has been stirred up by some fierce winds yellow and white begin working. (Just a little something to keep in mind)

Fly Fishermen need not look any farther than good old wooly buggers and wiggle tails. Brown has been the best color over the years but olive works well also. The small florescent orange wooly buggers are best along the rocky ledges when water temperatures drop below 45 degrees. Sizes 10 and 12 are the normal sizes we use here. If you are going to the effort to hike in to fish, make the effort to pack your float tube. I can't stress the importance of being able to reach the fish that are just out of reach for the average wading fisherman.

When the shoreline bite goes off, those fish only moved out to deeper water. Be sure you can access them, or wait until the next "cruise" of the school. They typically take "opportunity" food when presented properly. The more natural the color of fly or jig, the better they like it. Brown has always been a color of choice when the "bite" slows down...and represents a common natural feed (being the brown leeches) that if it is put in front of a trout, the trout will take it...sometimes very light.