Foster Arends Lake is starting to see some anglers on it this weekend and my son Nate, our friend Chad, and I just had to be one of those anglers. The first pic is of Chad Crowson with a 14 1/2” rainbow trout that was caught jigging a Swedish Pimple.
Baits used today were Swedish Pimples and ratso jigs with minnows or waxies. The flash of the Swedish Pimples with a minnow on the treble hook was the fish catching lure.
Checking your lines when still jigging with the ratsos and minnows was neccessay as there would be little hits without hook ups as the fish were very sluggish and not wanting to commit. Overall it was slow but it sure felt great to be out fishing again. I had to leave early as one of my grandsons was coming over for an overnighter so I will have to see how the guys did after I left.
Use caution when on the lake as there are springs on the lake which make some spots dangerous. We had 4” of ice where we fished but I did feel and see a couple of spots that felt like weak ice so please stay away from those areas and becarefull.
Thanks, Bill
Foster Arends is a very deep [old sand pit] lake and thats why it holds trout. Shallow water ice thickens faster than deeper water ice does so please stay off the deeper areas for a few weeks till it gets thicker. Please remember that with only 4 inches of ice in shallow water you may be looking at only 2 inches of ice out deeper. There have been too many drownings already from people falling through the ice on different bodies of water so please play it safe and stay shallow and away from areas that look softer. Go with a buddy, put your ice-picks around your neck, carry rope and travel light. Playing it safe will help to help you enjoy many ice outtings on the ice. Be sure and keep everyone posted on your ice fishing outtings [we ALL learn from everyones sharing/posting] and enjoy the ice fishing season.
Even though people have been fishing on Foster Arends for over a week before we fished it it doesn’t mean ice is safe as no ice is absolutely safe. Warmer temps and a record 7.1 inches of heavy wet snowfall here in Rochester has weakened ice conditions. Click on the link below to see what had reportedly happened to an angler who was fishing that day.
Weakened Ice Could Cost You Your Life
Thanks for keeping those yet to make it over there updated on the conditions i had planned to make a trip over there after the holidays.But i think i will wait now for improved conditions thanks again for the update.
My buddy was over at fosters on the 22nd and he picked up a few nice ones tipped with corn on a tip-up.In a depth of 12 to 15 feet seemed to be ticket.Any other information would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!