Winter weather finally showed up, and the ice fishing bite arrived with it. Anglers near Salmon can choose their own adventure as fishable ice has set up on Johnson Pond, Hyde Pond, and Williams Lake. Johnson and Hyde ponds are perfect family fishing options as they offer easy access and high catch rates of rainbow trout. Additionally, Johnson Pond is unique as it is the only fishery in the region where anglers can catch largemouth bass and panfish!
Ice fishing in the Salmon Region is heating up
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The 33rd Annual Hyde Pond Kids’ Ice Fishing Derby was cancelled due to uncertain ice conditions
Out of an abundance of caution, Idaho Fish and Game canceled the Hyde Pond Kids’ Ice Fishing Derby scheduled for Saturday, February 7, in Salmon.
With daily high temperatures reaching near 50 degrees in the days leading up to the event, Fish and Game was concerned about deteriorating ice conditions. The derby often draws more than 100 participants onto the ice, and current conditions could become unsafe.
Hyde Pond remains open to the public, and anglers are still welcome to fish; however, Fish and Game urges all anglers to use extreme caution and rely on established ice thickness safety guidelines when making decisions about ice access.
We apologize for any inconvenience this cancellation may cause. For questions or additional information, please contact Brett Kelly at the Idaho Fish and Game Salmon Regional Office at (208) 742-7050.
For Salmon area anglers seeking solitude and more difficult ice fishing challenge, Williams Lake should be at the top of their list. Williams Lake has a self-sustaining wild rainbow trout population with adults generally measuring 15-16 inches and select fish over 20 inches! Anglers are just now venturing out onto the ice over the past week and reported 5-6 inches of ice near shoreline areas over the past weekend. Anglers also reported higher catch rates in the morning hours and had success with a variety of baits on jigs. Anglers should be aware that Williams Lake also has bull trout, which are catch-and-release only.
Please consult the Idaho Fishing Regulations brochure before heading out onto the ice, and check out Fish and Game’s ice fishing page for more information on ice fishing techniques, safety, and good locations to try. If you have questions about ice fishing in the Salmon Region, please email me at brett.kelly@idfg.idaho.gov or call the Salmon Regional Office at (208) 756-2271.
