Dick Zimmer, The Macman, ice fished on Saturday and kept 50 perch between 9″ and 11″. He caught them in about 4 hours and shared this Ice Fishing Report from Pablo Reservoir.
Fishermen:
I’m making this report for those who haven’t taken advantage of the outstanding perch fishing on Pablo Reservoir. I was keeping about 1 out of every 3 or 4 fish. In about 4 hours, I caught 50 perch between 9″ and 11″. That was close to constant action the whole time I was there. I was using our newest bait, the Alleye. Because of its light weight, it fishes best with 2 to 4 pound test line on a super ultra-light rod. I also used a spring bobber to insure sensitivity and a soft feel for the fish when they bite.
My bait of preference is fish eyes, but perch meat, maggots and night crawlers are passable alternatives. Because Pablo Reservoir was completely drained, not too many years ago, it has begun to develop as a new fishery from that point.
I believe this fishery is still about 3 years from being mature because of the small average size of the perch and the rarity of jumbo perch (12″ and larger).
Before the perch begin the cycle, of kill off and restoration, we should have at least 5 more years of excellent ice fishing.
The Bitterroot and McGregor Lakes have only recently frozen, but are safe to fish on.
West of Kalispell. East Bay and Stone Quarry Bay on Flathead have refrozen and offer lake trout fishermen the opportunity to catch some monster lake trout.
For more information call us at 406-675-0068 or my personal cell at 406-250-4220. Or contact me by email at macman@ronan.net and don’t forget to check out our product line at www.zimmertackle.com
Good Fishing
The Macman
