Rating:

5.0 (1 vote)

Many have been saying warmer temperatures have dampened ice fishing season in Montana, but Sharon Walker, who runs the Silos RV Park and Store just a few hundred yards from the loading docks at Canyon Ferry Lake, says that's not the case.

"Actually ice fishing is awesome. Contrary to a lot of the reports that have been going around we've been on the ice for about 2 weeks here," Walker says.

She says the ice is 9 to 12 inches thick and the fish are biting.

"Fishing has been very very good. It's going to be a great perch year. The average perch has been from 10-12 inches. Which means about 3/4 to 1 lb with some above that, believe it or not," Walker says.

Fisherman have been reeling in 2 to 4 lb trout, and walleye ranging between 14 and 16 inches.

"So perch are about 30-40 feet down, mostly down toward the 40 feet mark, about a mile toward Hole in the Wall that way. Then trout are being fished down the shore all the way down to the ponds or the dikes," she says pointing to a map of the Silos area.

Sharon says if the most recent wind storm is any indication of the season to come it'll be critical to anchor down ice houses.

"They all escaped and went from a 1/2 mile to a mile across the lake without their owners with them. Except one he was asleep inside. That was great. He woke up in the morning black, just totally black out and called me and said I don't know where I am but another ice house bumped into mine took off and he was half way to Duck Creek like Wizard of Oz, we're not in Kansas anymore," she laughs.

Despite the wind Sharon says it's a great year for ice fishermen.

Sharon does want to remind fisherman that they should not drive their trucks on the lake at any time. She advises people to wear cleats so they don't slip and if they are taking kids out with them they should have ice picks.