A new winter fishing opportunity in northern Idaho

By Rob Ryan, Panhandle Region Fishery Biologist In northern Idaho, the temperatures are falling and the first snow of the year has come. For many, these conditions signal the coming of ice fishing season. Many of the region's ponds and small lakes freeze over during the winter and provide fishing opportunities that are fun and easy to take advantage of. Throughout Idaho, popular fisheries for yellow perch, rainbow trout, as well as other fishes come alive with the formation of ice. Ice anglers can look forward to a new opportunity this year. The Idaho Department of Fish and Game stocked rainbow trout in Avondale Lake in September. Avondale Lake is a popular ice fishery close to the urban centers of Hayden and Coeur d'Alene. This lake gets too warm in summer months to support a trout fishery, but does offer suitable conditions during winter. With this fish plant, we are trying to enhance the winter fishery in Avondale Lake. Although the lake hosts a variety of warmwater fish like perch and bluegill, fishing success can be hit or miss. We hope that stocking rainbow trout will provide a consistent opportunity to catch fish all winter long. Fish and Game biologists will be evaluating rainbow trout stocking in Avondale Lake through the winter to see how well it worked to make fishing better. If rainbow trout provide the fishing experience we hope they will, this may be an opportunity we can provide for anglers in future years as well. Because of its size and location, Avondale Lake often freezes adequately to allow a safe ice fishing experience. However, anglers should always use caution when venturing out on the ice to fish. Also, anglers should note that Avondale Lake is privately owned. Public parking and access is allowed across from the clubhouse at the Avondale Golf Club. Please respect private property owners around the lake while fishing. On the hunting front, hunters and outdoor writers are starting to inquire about the final results of the hunting season. Those numbers will not be available until the hunter harvest reports are received and entered. Fish and Game reminds hunters to submit their harvest reports as soon as they harvest an animal, or when they are finished hunting for the season. Most seasons have concluded, but there are muzzleloader and archery opportunities remaining for some species.