Ice Fishing Lake Bella Vista-Rockford?

[WMUAngler]

This is my first winter in the Lake Bella Vista Association and I'm just wondering if the lake is worth ice fishing or if I should head over to one of the other area lakes. I caught a couple of nice crappie when the water was soft, but I know nothing about the gill or pike population. Anyways, any information would be helpful. Thanks!

-Sean

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"There are two types of people in this world: Guys who laugh saying the word “vagina,” and girls."

[CubanFisherman]

I caught four pike there so far this season. None of size, but you will get lots of action. I did not specifically target panfish, but I'm sure you could find them. I've seen some nice bluegills caught during the summer.

[GFHFG]

my friend use to live out there but moved havnt fished it in a while never through the ice it has bass smallmouth and largemouth walleyes bluegills specs and plenty of pike when the ice gets better send me a pm and we can give it a try i know a few good weed lines flats and deep holes

[WMUAngler]

It's unfortunate that my Friday shanty purchase ruined the ice. :sad: I appreciate the help and I'll PM you if the cold comes back. Last night was crazy. I brought the shanty out to my garage in shorts and a tshirt and I was plenty warm.

Any of the lakes in the area produce any pig-sized perch?
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"There are two types of people in this world: Guys who laugh saying the word “vagina,” and girls."

[TFS]

I live in the Bella Vista sub also. I have been ice fishing it for a few seasons and here is what I know about it. First is its way better in the summer, it has a growing population of small pike with some better ones available.We had some good days out there with tip ups especially first ice. I have "heard" about good perch fishing out there but have yet to see it. I hear alot about how it used to be very good but has died off in recent years, dont know why. The weeds lay down very early ussually before the ice sets up so finding the fish can be hard because with no weed edges or cover the fish wander around. My best luck has been in 10 fow towards the west end. I would say fish it when the ice comes back, not many people out there fishing.Send me a pm and I will try to meet up with you out there.
Tom

[TFS]

The lake is wide open now so it missed the snow,and hopefully will freeze back up again.

[SBEII]

Hey Sean, I'm the guy that was behind you in line at Gander the other night when you purchased the shanty.... TFS and I are actually brothers, it's a small world. The same thing happend to me last year a week after I purchased my Strike Lite Power Auger. Hopefully we will see you on the ice one of these days, but for now it sounds like we are taking the boat out this weekend.

[browning13]

I have a cousin that lives on the lake but I havn't tried it yet. Theres supposed to be quite a few pike and some nice bluegill from what I hear.

[WMUAngler]

Hi SBEII, I didn't catch your name at Gander, but this is a small world. :) I'm heading up to the Gaylord area next weekend to test out the new shanty, but I'm hoping that the ice will be back here before February. I'll let all of you guys know the first time that I make it out on the ice this year. Until then, good luck on the boat. Did you catch that monster from your profile pic in the area?

[mifisher]

Not trying to hijack this thread, but are any of the other lakes around Rockford worth some time after the ice is back? Silver? Myers? Brower? Even some input on the species of fish in these lakes would be appreciated as I am very unfimilar with these lakes. I will be moving into the area in a few months and was curious about the surrounding lakes. :fish:

[WMUAngler]

I finally decided to take a walk down to the boat launch to check the ice on the lake. I walked out and drilled multiple holes to check the thickness. 1st Hole was about 10 ft out and was a little over 4 inches thick, 25 ft was 5", 40 ft was 5", 60 ft was 5", 75 ft was about 5", and 100 ft was about 5". Then I got way too tired from using my hand auger. ;) Anyways, these holes were all drilled straight out from the boat launch, so definitely not the best area for fish and not in very deep water. I might try it out anyway tomorrow night, but we'll see. Anyone else check any of the area lakes?

I'd love a report on the launch side of Wabasis. I caught two pike from my kayak in that little cove just before winter hit.

[TFS]

The deep end of Bella Vista had only 1 " of ice on Sunday afternoon when I checked it. The adjoining shallow bay on the N.W corner had around 4".

Mifisher. Meyers has gills, crappie, bass, and pike. I did O.K. at Meyers last year the few times I went. It has limited parking though, so get there early.

Tom