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Eloika Lake Report
Spokane County, WA

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12/06/2010
Other
Perch
Jig
Afternoon
12/06/2010
2
2690

Fished Eloika 1300-1600 on the ice. Whole lake is iced over 2.5-3" in most places. Made the mistake of not studying the topo map well enough prior to heading out and wasted all my time NW & W of the public launch. Shallow water from 3-9ft. In those three hours only caught a pumpkinseed and two perch. I've been spoiled ice fishing Silver, and it really takes some work to find fish here. Guess my flasher doesn't really work well when it's so shallow; So I ended up lugging the extra weight around for nothing. Exhausting. Must have drilled at least 10 holes for each fish. If it looks like a golf course when you're out, it's cause of me looking for fish.

Met an adult father & son team on the ice. Son had a trashbag with a few perch, a bluegill and a decent-sized bass when I first got on the ice. Didn't really see 'em hit paydirt. They were fishing the same shallow water.

Next time (if there is a next time), I think I'll try for the deepest water at 15ft right off the point. I think old reports used to indicate that was a good place to fish for perch.


Comments

The Jigmiester
12/6/2010 10:58:00 PM
Yikes. 2" to 3" of ice is pretty dicey bro. be careful out there.Jiggy
fishnfool
12/7/2010 7:20:00 AM
hahahahah Oh My what big balls you have !! i fell trough the ice at Eloika !! it was an exhilarating experience hahah
next time walk straight west of the boat ramp till you are feel you are 2/3rds of the way across the lake then turn left 100 yds or so and drill ... should be about 10 ft and near the edge of the weed line
Anglinarcher
12/7/2010 12:38:00 PM
LOL - When I grew up we were taught that 2" of good clear/hard ice was more then enough to support your weight. 6" of the same ice would hold a snow mobile. Of course, I am "twice the man I use to be", so maybe I'll leave it for you for a few more days.

I find that going out of Jerry's Landing is easier and worth the few bucks to park there. Then, head almost any direction from there. The perch are often found in 8 to 12 feet, depending on weed depth, etc. The lake is really just a big bowl, so finding a school can take some time. I don't waste my time with a finder in that depth. Just punch a hole, fish a few minutes, move on. Often I move back to see if a school has moved in.
dougw
12/8/2010 7:39:00 AM
I remember driving our truck on ice about 12" many time back in Wisconsin. I also ice fished on 2" several times. It all depends on the quality of the ice. If it is well developed ice 2" is enough to support an average sized person. I also am 2x the man I used to be, so I would hesitate on ice out here less than 4".
Xwisconyfisherman
12/8/2010 9:01:00 AM
I'm still young and dumb and I've fished on 1 inch of clear ice back in Wisconsin almost every year I would sneak out on 1 inch every year around thanksgiving and try to catch that torphy walleye. However I would never do this alone or without a long rope nice and handy!! I walked/crawled out on elioka on the 11/26th not to fish but after a wounded goose that made it 50 yards out because I lefte the dog home. I also went out yesterday and fished a variety of different parts of the lake.. I would say there is 4-6 inches of ice in most parts of the lake (by the public launch). however most of that ice is gray and there is only 1-2 inches of clear ice at the bottom of the hole. The north end of the lake(north of Jerrys) the ice is a littler thinner but still holds ya up!! However the fish didnt exactly jump out of the holes... Jay K. give Elioka another try the fish are usually way bigger then silver's. The trick is to drill a ton of holes and find one were there is a gap in the weeds to drop the vexlar down.

PS Bring your ice cleats!!
yooper_fisher
12/8/2010 10:55:00 AM
I've also been told 2" of solid ice is good, but like many of you I won't go out unless there's 4" and won't take the snowmobile unless there's 8".
Having said that, I'm excited that there's ice fishing in this state. Having moved from Michigan I figured I wouldn't get the chance to do any. Thanks for the report Jay :)
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Available Guide

Available Fishing Guide:
Website: Darrell & Dads Family Guide Service

Phone: (509) 687-0709