Ice Fishing Heats up at Henrys Lake

An early November chill was good for anglers fishing on Henrys Lake. The November cold snap helped ice form on this famous fishery, and anglers responded, boring holes in the ice; many of them catching and releasing a dozen or more fish each day. Henrys Lake is a 6,000 acre lake just outside the west entrance to Yellowstone National Park, known for abundant populations of trophy sized cutthroat, hybrid and brook trout. It has been noted as one of the most popular flat water fisheries in Idaho, and people come from all over the country in pursuit of the lake's famous trout. Ice fishing is relatively new to Henrys Lake. In 2011 Fish and Game extended the season, allowing anglers to fish the lake through January 1. This year's early freeze is making for a slightly longer than average period of ice fishing opportunity. While many anglers are reporting good success, a few have struggled, which is typical any time of year at Henrys Lake. Anglers are encouraged to check the weather before heading out, as winter conditions can be extreme. Standard ice fishing rules apply at Henrys Lake: anglers may use as many as five rods; holes in the ice may be no more than ten inches in diameter. The trout limit is two fish. Anglers must stop fishing once they have two fish in possession, including brook trout.