Ice fishing is one of the most popular wintertime activities for residents and visitors of Wright’s Mesa. And thanks to Miramonte Reservoir being one of top fisheries in the state, Norwood just happens to boast some of the best ice fishing in Colorado!
As With All Things, Safety First!
The rule of thumb in Colorado is to have a solid four inches of ice before you go out on the water. Ice thickness depends on several factors with location being the first and most obvious factor. The type of lake also affects ice thickness, a shallow lake will freeze faster than a deeper lake. Miramonte Reservoir has shallow and deeper areas, with its deepest area being the main channel which runs the east shoreline between the large island and the dam.
Also, new ice is stronger than old ice, and the clearer the ice, the better. Ice thickness may not always be consistent. You’ll want to take caution on ice around partially submerged objects such as trees and branches, brush, embankments or structures as they absorb heat from the sun and weaken the ice.
Most importantly, never venture onto the ice alone. Before going onto a frozen lake, pond or river, it’s important to take safety precautions to reduce the risk of falling through the ice. Always remember to continue to test the thickness of the ice by drilling test holes or use an ice chisel as you move away from shore. Test holes should be at no more than 30 foot intervals.
It’s a good idea to wear a flotation jacket or PFD, and carry a long length of rope as well as ice fishing picks in case you fall in. Avoid areas with a brook or stream entering nearby, and also stay away from trees or large branches that extend into the water, as they will absorb heat from the sun and weaken the ice.
Luckily, cell service is plentiful at Miramonte Reservoir. In case of an emergency, call 911. But remember, the reservoir is approximately 20 minutes from Norwood so it may take a while for first responders to arrive on scene.
Colorado Parks and Wildlife’s “Rule of Thumb for Ice”
- 2 Inches or less of ice – STAY AWAY!!!
- 4 Inches of good ice will hold a walking individual
- 6 inches of ice for a snowmobile/ ATV
- 8-12 inches of ice for a car or small pick- up truck
- 12-15 inches for a medium sized pick- up truck
What, Where and How to Ice Fish On Miramonte Reservoir
Just like any other recreational hobby, ice fishing can be as simple or as complicated as you make it. Ice fishing is generally less dangerous than skiing, snowboarding, or snowmobiling, is easier to get into, and is much more affordable. And when it comes to gear, thankfully not a lot has changed over the years, so even your grandpa’s childhood setup will still work wonders!
Ice fishing season in Colorado starts when the lakes freeze over, which at Miramonte Reservoir is generally around mid to late December, and lasts through February and some years into early March, depending on temperature and ice conditions. What really determines the length of the season is the thickness of the ice and how long the temperatures remain below freezing.
The Gear You’ll Need
Leave the tackle box behind! Fishing in the winter requires a lot less gear than fishing in the summer, however there are a few extra essentials you will want to have with you in order to fish on ice.
- A rod, reel and fishing line (need something to catch trout with)
- Bait (jigs and worms work best for trout)
- Base layers (to keep you warm)
- Waterproof boots (wet feet = frozen feet)
- Winter outerwear (snow jacket and pants, gloves and a warm hat)
- An ice chisel (for testing the depth of the ice)
- An ice auger (gas-powered is easier and faster)
- A pair of ice fishing picks (to pull you out of the ice if you fall in)
- A hole skimmer (to clear ice from the hole)
- Traction cleats (to keep you from slipping)
- A sled (to help carry your gear)
- A cooler or bucket (to take your gear, lunch, libations and to take your score home in)
- A pop-up ice fishing shelter (if desired)
Ice fishing rods are generally between 24 and 36 inches, with the shorter being better for use inside a shelter. Ice fishing reels will have longer handles so you don’t hit your knuckles while jigging and when setting your hook. It’s important to pair the type and size of the fishing line with the lure you intend to use. You’ll want to use a fishing line that allows your jig to have full motion in the water and is not hindered by line stretch or twist. In general, a 4lb. line is strong enough to handle a majority of the fish you will catch and gives you full control of the action of your jig.
Once you determine your fishing site, you will need a tool to cut a hole in the ice. The most economical choice is an ice chisel which runs around $40. The next and more efficient step up is to use a hand auger, which typically runs between $50 to $100. Both of these tools work well, but if the ice is thick, your arms will get a solid workout. If you’re not looking for a workout, or plan on doing a lot of ice fishing, a gas-powered auger will make drilling holes much easier and will allow you to quickly drill a number of different holes. Gas-powered augers start around $350. Keep in mind while cutting your hole, the maximum diameter of holes allowed for ice fishing in Colorado is ten inches.
It doesn’t hurt to bring along a five-gallon plastic bucket. A bucket can be an ice fisher’s best friend. A bucket can serve as a chair, tackle box, rod carrier, lunch box, cooler and creel, all in a virtually indestructible container that comes with a handle.
Where To Find The Big Fish
In pretty much every state across the western United States, the most productive trout fishing is generally in semi-shallow water between 5 to 15 feet deep. This is true on Miramonte Reservoir as well where you’ll want to begin fishing near the shoreline or along areas in which the contour of the lake bottom transitions from deep shallower water. These areas typically gather fish looking to feed and will be your best bet for success!
Trout feed throughout the day, however, similar to fishing in the warmer months, fishing at Miramonte Reservoir is typically more productive during the earlier and later hours of the day.
How Catch The Big Fish
Not a pro at casting but love to fish? Ice fishing might be your jam! Casting skills need not apply here, ice fishing is all about vertical jigging. Simply drop the bait or the lure down the hole and either jig it up and down or let it just hang there. You might be able to catch the attention of a trout with a shiny dancing spoon, but a live bait on a hook might be more likely to land you that trout.
For lures, put together a small tackle box filled with a selection of light jigging spoons, hooks, split shots and small plastic jigs.
For live bait, shrimp imitations hooked with mealworms or wax worms make a great combination. When in doubt, A small tube-jig tipped with a worm is always a good choice, and nightcrawlers as well as small live minnows are always a good fail safe.
Tips on Ice Fishing From The Locals
- In the winter, the trout in Miramonte Reservoir feed in “lanes” along the shallower mud flats and weeded areas. Find the “drop-offs” or areas in the water where the depth and vegetation change, this may give you an idea as to where the fish will pass by.
- If you haven’t had any action in 15 to 30 minutes, you’re probably in the wrong spot. Try moving by following the fish lane to another location on the lake.
- Try fishing different depths. Trout often hunt for food near the surface of the ice, but depending on their food source it’s not uncommon for them to be near the bottom of the zone in which they are feeding.
- Water depth can be hard to determine through ice, but there is an easy way to find out how deep the water is. Simply take a long rope with a weight tied to the end, or a 25’ construction tape measure and extend it down the hole to determine the depth.
- Do some reconnaissance work during the summer. Although their habits change slightly, trout generally tend to feed in the same locations in the winter as they do in the summer.
- Keep your tackle simple. Fish are extremely sluggish during the cold winter months and catching them doesn’t require a lot of bells and whistles.
- Don’t bother with Power Bait. Seriously, just leave that messy toxic goo at home. Power Bait is boring and trout are carnivorous hunters that crave action in order to be enticed.
- Later in the season, when the fish have already seen everything we humans can throw at them, the simpler you keep the bait, the better luck you’ll have.
- One proven strategy widely utilized by ice fisher’s around the globe consists of drilling two side-by-side holes, one for jigging, and the other for bait. Jigging lures a fish in for a closer look, however this might be uninspiring, which leaves the fish to discover the delicious bait hanging out by the nearby hole.
- Clear ice is twice as strong as murky or dark-colored ice. Try to park yourself on as clear of ice as you can (you may have to move some snow around to see the status of the ice).
- You don’t want your holes to freeze over while you’re fishing, be sure to stay on top of skimming out any ice that forms.
- It’s totally okay to sit out on a freezing body of water on a couple of camp chairs while all bundled up. But if that doesn’t sound enjoyable to you, an insulated pop-up ice-fishing tent is a solid investment that will make your days on the lake much more pleasurable by helping you stay warm and cozy.
- To keep the snow and ice from sticking and building up on your auger and other metal bits, spray vegetable oil on the blades so you don’t have to keep wiping the snow and ice off.
Resources
https://cpw.state.co.us/icefishingsafety
https://coloradooutdoorsmag.com/2013/12/08/ice-fishing-getting-started/