Dicey challenges: Winter fishermen coping with cold, snow and slush

As fishing commitments go, this winter has been a real test for Utah anglers.

Winter anglers have had to battle cold weather, deep snow and slush that sometimes was so deep it flowed over the tops of the winter boots.

Beyond all the trials, fishing, at certain waters, has been good through the ice.

The year started with a quick freeze and a thin coating of ice ... and then it snowed and snowed and snowed some more.

"You get a thin layer of ice, then a massive amount of snow, and the ice cracks and lets water through, then it snows, and so the water on the ice never freezes," explained Roger Wilson, cold-water aquatic coordinator for the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources.

All of which makes access to many reservoirs very difficult and access to the water level even more difficult. Common accessories, now, include the rod and reel, lures, ice auger and shovel to remove the snow covering to get to the ice.

This has also limited areas fishermen can reach, which has concentrated anglers.

In many cases the only way to get onto the ice is by using snowshoes or cross country skis and, in rare cases, snowmobiles.

A common complaint has been that snowmobilers and ATV riders have ventured onto the ice and, instead of catching fish, have spent the day trying to get machines unstuck and off the ice.

Even those fishing rivers have faced challenges this winter. The deep snow has made it extremely difficult to make it to the river's edge, and then the challenge comes in dropping over 5- and 6-foot banks to water level. Then it becomes even more difficult to climb back up on the snow surface for the return trip to the vehicle.

Wilson pointed out that in a typical winter pattern, the best fishing comes right after ice-on, "then starts to slow. February is usually pretty good, but March is spotty. You've got to hunt for the fish. You've got to get away from the crowds and places that have been fished hard."

Winter fishing also requires fishermen to be patient, but if nothing happens after a reasonable time, then move to a new location.

One of the better fishing spots has been Mantua, located east of Brigham City.

Byron Gunderson of Fish Tech and his wife, DeEtte, caught more than 50 bluegill, six largemouth, five trout and a dozen perch within a three-hour period.