Cold firms up ice on winter fishing lakes

Fourth of July Lake south of Sprague was still skimpy on safe ice on Tuesday, but Hog Canyon Lake near Fishtrap was firming up nicely in this week’s cold snap.

The two winter trout fishing lakes opened after Thanksgiving and anglers have been able to cast to open water, at least on Fourth of July Lake, until recently.

A long stretch of glassy ice on the west end of Fourth of July had two large openings being kept ice free by waterfowl on Tuesday. The ducks seemed to be extra active, swimming and splashing, to maintain some open water.

They likely have lost that battle to frigid temperatures by Thursday.

A snow-packed footpath leading from the portable toilet in the parking lot (Discover Pass or equivalent required) leads to the prime west-end fishing area where there’s more water depth.

Continued cold weather since Tuesday could have resulted in safe ice for at least part of Fourth of July Lake by Thursday.

Hog Canyon, however, was firming up significantly on Tuesday. Some areas – not necessarily the entire lake – were already safe for ice fishing.

State fisheries officials say anglers should always check the ice thickness for themselves. Don’t concentrate too much weight in one spot until there’s at least four inches of ice. Thicknesses can vary on different areas of a lake.

Fourth of July Lake has the larger rainbows – some larger than 16 inches, but the average foot-longs from Hog Canyon are plump.