Temperatures in the region have dipped low enough that I suspected that there were some ice fishing opportunities. Sure enough, when I talked to the folks at North 40 Outfitters in Omak, they reported that there are some lakes attracting anglers armed with augers. A lake that freezes early and offers great fishing is Bonaparte and it has been producing good catches of perch and tiger trout. Leader Lake is very popular and is a place where you can fill a bucket with crappie through the ice. Further up north is Curlew Lake, and it has been attracting anglers from far and wide who like to catch perch. I got a photo earlier this week that showed a limit catch of really nice perch taken just last week. One of the most popular lakes during the ice fishing season is Fish Lake, near Lake Wenatchee. By checking the web cam on the lake, I can see when anglers are venturing out on the ice, and for the first time this winter I could see I shacks and anglers on the lake. Fish Lake is famous for consistent fishing for perch, but also offers big triploids from plants earlier this season.
When I visited Rat Lake earlier in December it was half frozen. Soon anglers will be able to catch the big rainbow here.