The Fish Sniffer

(Riverton) Anglers looking for higher elevation angling challenges will find access to Ice House and beyond questionable at times and inaccessible depending on the lake; be sure to check road conditions prior to departure so ensure your safety.                                            

Sara at Sly Park Lake Resort reported that recently the Jenkinson Lake mack bite has picked up and anglers are finding trout offering up limits. “Trout anglers have been working the marina and second dam areas for limits of trout,” she stated. “PowerBait has been the better producer for most, but nightcrawlers are reported as productive also. Mackinaw up to twenty-two inches and three pounds for trollers working the Narrows area of the lake.” 

Union Valley did provide some decent action – between storms – as Robert Bundy hit the lake with Fish Sniffer Publisher Paul Kneeland. 

 “We saw fairly consistent action on trout and mackinaw,” reported Bundy.  “The largest mack was seven pounds – with the best depth being the 50 foot mark while bouncing the bottom. Rainbow, broken back Flatfish were the best mack lure and trout found the Cripplures and gold Kastmasters effective – all the trout were caught in the top ten feet.” 

Hell Hole and French Meadows are most likely not worth the risk to access, as roads to those lakes aren’t plowed and safety must be your first concern.  

Tug Kellar at ACE Hardware in Georgetown reported Stumpy Meadows can be reached, but few reports show a tough bite.  “Anglers should look to lower elevation lakes, for quite a while,” said Kellar. 

Sly Park lake is 85% of capacity, Loon is at 55%, Ice house stands at 66% and Union Valley is at 67% of capacity.