As the end of March, rolls in I wanted to first thank my customers for an incredible year thus far on the ice, and second update you on the ice fishing on Lake Dillon and patterns of the fish. 

This season the Kokanee salmon came in for the initial spawn late November and that was the initial ice over on the Snake River inlet side of the lake.  The salmon remained biting and still not spawned out creating a thriving bite until late January.   

Schools of rainbow trout tend follow the salmon showing up for the party right on time in turn firing up a hot bite at first ice.  Each school of rainbow trout typically thrives best in the deeper water where the mysis shrimp live.  The shrimp are light sensitive and stay out in deeper darker water until the sun sets.  When the sun sets, they will come in to shallow water.  With this change in the mysis movement comes the way the rainbow feed and the brute fish like the brown trout, and arctic char found in Lake Dillon.

The fish that are going to grow to be a trophy are the ones that can survive rival fish eating them, but also find a year round source of attainable food.  The other main source of food for the fish in the lake is the weed beds.  The weed beds are located all over the lake and the fish will follow them and even seek protection year round in them.

By finding paths that fish travel for their food you will find more fish in any lake.  However in Lake Dillon find out what structure and weeds they are hiding in as well as how and what they are feeding on and you will land more fish.

The ice is holding strong for the end of March and given we are at 9,000 feet, but always use caution when ice fishing this late in the year. Remember that the edges of the iced lake go first.  Buddy up or tell people that you going on the ice, where, and how to reach you and be safe!

Tight Lines to All

Ice Fishing 2018