11 MILE MARINA WEEKLY FISHING REPORT 01.26.23

“ITS ABOUT THE CATCHING”

STORE HOURS: SATURDAY/SUNDAY 7:00AM TO 4:00PM

MONDAY, THURSDAY, FRIDAY 8:00AM - 4:00PM (Closed Tuesday & Wed unless we’re here or by reservation) We will take Guide reservations for any date

CURRENT CONDITIONS: Ice thickness ranging from 13” to 18”. Recent media reports about pressure ridges and people falling through have given some people the thought that the ice is dangerous. First of all we always like to say “there is no such thing as safe ice”. All frozen bodies of water need to be dealt with a serious amount of caution. Ice with no snow and a person with no cleats can fall and crack their head. Pressure ridges are natural formations with essentially two continents of ice pushing against each other as the ice expands. An active pressure ridge in early Winter is generally a good sign that the ice is getting thicker. There is never a good time to cross a pressure ridge and for absolute safety should be avoided. BUT in keeping with “why did the chicken cross the road..to get to the other side” a number of anglers in search of Kokanee on the East end believed they needed to get to the other side of the ridge to get to “the spot”. A number of anglers experienced what its like to go through the ice. Luckily all survived. Going on a frozen lake is like going back-country skiing. GO PREPARED. Safety gear includes rope, ice picks around your neck, throw-able flotation device, SPD, change of clothes. Try not to go alone.

It’s been cold like -20. Ice is firm and ready to fish. New snow about an inch. Roads are plowed with some snow packed and icy spots. Fresh snow makes for more work dragging your stuff out.

WE RENT ICE FISHING EQUIPMENT: Reservations highly advised or first come first served

WATERCRAFT RENTAL: In addition to contest sign up you can reserve boats now for 2023 at 2022 rates by clicking the “REGISTER NOW” box.

CONTEST STUFF: Great event last weekend. Results and standings will be posted on the 2023 Eagle Claw Colorado Classic page. Still working on it hope to have it done by Friday sometime

Next event is the South Park Ice Masters. FEBRUARY 11 Trout only total weight two fish. Optional Big Fish Pot. If a team wins a first place and BFP a polygraph is automatically required. Prize money for one team could be over $5,000.00 depending on number of entries.

WATER FLOW: 58.5 CFS IN 70.3 CFS OUT

COLORADO PARKS AND WILDLIFE HAVING A FUN WINTER CARNIVAL FEBRUARY 19, 2023 RAMP’S & ALLEY’S FROM SALIDA WILL PROVIDE RENTAL ICE SKATES AT NO CHARGE

MARINA WILL PLAY HOST AND HAVE THE ICE RINK READY FOR OTHER FUN ACTIVITIES PLANNED CALL 719-748-3401 FOR DETAILS

WATERDOGS: Waterdogs have been a hot bait for PIKE through the ice. Supplies are still available

FROZEN SUCKERS: Suckers have also been doing good with the Pike. We have the perfect size in stock.

Weather Station: Although we got our on site live weather station working as seen below we have had technical issues with the camera feed and still have not solved the problem.

ELEVEN MILE STATE PARK IS LOCATED IN THE SOUTH PARK NATIONAL HERITAGE AREA

SPINNEY MOUNTAIN STATE PARK: Closed for the Season.

DATES FOR EARLY ENTRY ON FORM ARE WRONG. EARLY ENTRY RATES ARE GOOD UP UNTIL TWO DAYS BEFORE EVENT (started that last year with the new online sign up program. Early entry still gets 10 sign up points)

EAGLE CLAW COLORADO CLASSIC ICE FISHING TOURNAMENT 2023: February 11 South Park Ice Masters, March 11 Marina March Madness. Go to contest page for info and details. Sign up now go to “REGISTER NOW” BOX below. You can also sign up in the Marina Store any time. Last event sold out sign up now.

DATES FOR EARLY ENTRY ON FORM ARE WRONG. EARLY ENTRY RATES GOOD UP UNTIL TWO DAYS BEFORE EACH CONTEST.

MARINA STORE AND LAKE SPECIALISTS: Camping, Fishing Equipment, Flies, Lures, Bait, Clothing, Food, Snacks, Drinks, Ice Cream and official purveyors of Boars Head brand products. Stop in and find out how we can help you catch. Get a topo map. They say information is gold. It's also critical to catching fish on the ice. The maps have GPS coordinates on them so you just can't miss. We want you to be successful here at the Mile. Get a map we will MARK IT UP with the hot spots. WE ARE HERE FISHING EVERYDAY AND CAN PUT YOU ON THE FISH.

A lot more folks have been using our ice rink this year and we have a few odds and ends in case you forget a puck or two, break a stick need some tape or laces etc. WE HAVE HOT CHOCOLATE TOO1

PIC # 1: Niko told his parents he had a dream that he had caught a big Pike and the next week he did. As the Blondie songs says “Dreaming is free” AND they come true some times. 15 lbs 38” Caught on the 21st. Congratulations Niko. Pic courtesy J. Holcomb

PIC # 2: Stella does it again with an even bigger better salmon. Caught on the 22nd Pic courtesy S. Solomon

PIC # 3: With the snow finally arriving we will do our best to keep the ice rink area plowed and ready to skate.

TROUT: GOOD: Action is still decent with early and mid morning the best. Look to 12 to 20 feet of water and often right on the bottom. Plenty of Trout have been caught by the salmon anglers in their attempts to catch Koke limits. Often times the bigger Trout are cruising slowly just below the ice not more than a foot or two. Set a dead stick with a small jigs like a Tiny Tot or a small crappie tube and just let it sit.

KOKANEE SALMON: FAIR TO GOOD: Fish being caught but bite is sporadic. When it happens its hot hot hot. Try spoons like Kastmaster, Swedish Pimple and Krocodile. Tip it with something such a meal or wax worm or Gulp Maggot. Work your spoon top to bottom they can come in quickly and not always where your pop gear may be set. Put yourself close to your jigging machine like six to 10 feet if you have one. We were going to try and make some but the demand was to significant and getting the parts we wanted continued to be challenging. You can do it. If you don’t have one make one they definitely help.

NORTHERN PIKE: FAIR: They just weren’t biting contest day but what a difference a week makes. Niko proved that the big ones will bite. Right place right bait right time right dream and lots of patience. Try mid morning to mid afternoon. Waterdogs and suckers continue to catch fish.

SPECIAL NOTE: 11 Mile Marina is located at the North Shore in Eleven Mile State Park, Lake George Colorado. A CPW Park Pass is required on all vehicles entering the Park. Any fees for Guide/Outfitter/Rental services do not include Park fees, CO fishing license or gratuities.

The WEEKLY FISHING REPORT is produced by fishermen for fishermen. We try to get it done every Thursday but some times fishing or life gets in the way. So if its not there on Thursday morning it will show up by Friday. We appreciate all the support and acknowledge that many of you won't miss a week but every now and then we might. CLICK SUPPORT THE REPORT TO HELP OUT Be Safe. Fish On!

Please direct any questions, comments or inquiries to elevenmile@hotmail.com

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