February 25th, 2020

As I write this lake report it's about 50 degrees, and now that its available in cans I am enjoying a GSL Juice on the top of scout island. 

Up until Monday we have actually had quite a few cold days in the last two week with some mornings way below zero. Believe it or not because of this we have about three more inches of ice on the sacandaga then two weeks ago, and there is hardly any slush. 

I found anywhere from 12 to 14" of ice in all the spots I checked. 

The only bad spot I found is on the Mayfield side of scout island where the point of Griffis rd. Comes out. This open spot usually shows up this time of year as the water goes down. Just stay more towards scout island when heading from Wally's to Lakeside, and you will be fine. The good news, if you do fall in there it's only 4-6 ft. Deep but it will still ruin your day. Everything else seemed good heading up to Ponderosa Pines or placid pines. 

I didn't take the trail off Turner rd. But that spot usually gets bad too as the water goes down. All good to old trail and Nauti's, just those 3 splits that I talked about in the last report. They are froze good but a few chunks sticking up here and there. All good around Sinclair point. Just favor the fish house side a little. Good up to sport island, Vic's and back to Lanzi's. 

The only real changes to be aware of since my last report is the water is down significantly, and still going down fast. So a lot has changed through stump alley, the traps,  by the campgrounds, and everywhere else that land starts popping up. Like around the front of sand island. What I mean by this is there is a lot more GOTCHAS sticking up everywhere that weren't there two weeks ago. Even though there is more ice. Three things that will get you on this lake. Speed, Alcohol, and Darkness, you can get away with any one of them but don't mix them.

FISHING 

Walleyes have been biting decent with a few nice ones being caught. 

Perch have started to come on strong, the big football ones too. 

Northerns  are biting steady with the average being in the 30" range. And for this lake the trout have been biting good, both rainbows and browns. Nowhere near as many as the lakes up north but they have been catching them

 Also the Fuel-N-food 3day fishing contest is definitely on, it's going to be perfect conditions

Tip of the week: download the "Send it" app. And use it.

February 12th, 2020

This is going to be a very contradictory lake report. That is because we have anything from 5” of ice up to 10” of ice. with an average of 8” in most areas.

The lake is probably the best this past weekend for snowmobiles that i have seen it in a long time. Yet the Walleye challenge is canceled because there is not an average of 12” of ice and no real cold weather this week to change that.  Also because it is sketchy for wheeler’s and side x sides (which most ice fishermen use)

Because of some big fractures in the ice.  Snowmobiles can easily cross these, but you can lose a 4 wheeler in them, if you don’t cross in the right spot.

These are not a problem during the day because you can see them, but you better no where you are at night. On the Plus side, it is flat and fast with no slush or big heaves.

February 2020This may change Thursday with snow and rain heading in and with the continuing fast dropping of the water. One of these cracks in the ice run from Vandenburg point towards Sand island, and ends at Deer island. There are three more of these cracks above Sinclair pt. which are usually never there, if you are heading up to Ponderosa Pines and Placid Pines.

One is just before Captain Nautis, one is just passed the bridge, and the other is just passed the trail to Old Trail Inn. They are no big deal, but do make it
a little Rough, so keep that in mind when you Crack the throttle past Sinclair Pt. Especially since we are all used to this section being smooth.

On the other side of the lake Stump alley is smooth heading up to Sport Island Pub and Vic’s. The only Big bump being the sandbar that comes out from the campground. Slow down that can sneak up on you.

On your way back towards Lanzi’s its smooth all the way down the shoreline
to Wallys. From Wally’s if your on your way to Lakeside for a GSL Juice, which is one of my favorite local beers, Its smooth riding.

Overall the ice has a little more snow cover on it, but not much else has hanged in three weeks since my last report except the cracks in the ice.

February 2020So if you have a choice: take a sled. If you don’t have a choice: use your head and you should be good on a wheeler or side X side.

Finally I would like to reiterate because of the mild winter and high water which HRBRRD is releasing as fast as possible the lake is changing all the time.

Fishing:

the Walleye’s are finally biting decent, the Northern’s have slowed down and are running much smaller, not many reports on perch? which is strange, and some rainbows have been biting especially up by the Town of Day Launch.

 Tip of the week:

Don’t Ride to the Dam