Caples Lake Ice Fishing Report

Caples Lake - Kirkwood, CA (Alpine County)


by Doug Busey
3-29-2024
Website

Last week we wrapped up the ABC 10 "Bartell's Backroads" television show. We ventured out from the parking area at the resort and out to the lake. Started drilling through the ice and realized, I'm gonna need a longer auger. I used an extension making my auger, now 5.5' long and just made it through the snow and ice.  I fished with Chris and Erich Busey and of course my better half, Renee.  We tried various depths and fished for 3 hours with spoons, jigs and nightcrawlers with only a couple hits. The "W" came up a little and we were starting to Wrap it up for the day about 2pm. John Bartell borrowed one of my ice fishing poles to do his final farewell conclusion to the show, when all of a sudden I heard, 'FISH ON". John had hooked into a nice fish and played it slowly. As I watched through the ice hole, The fish finally came into view, so I reached down the hole and grabbed a 6 pound mackinaw just as the line broke. Needless to say, it is not just fishing. Sometimes with a little patience, it's catching as well. After we packed up the gear, we all met up for a great lunch in the Caples Lake Resort Lounge. The ice was firm in the morning and a little soft towards the afternoon. Still very stable. CAL/TRANS was clearing areas around the dam for parking. The best lure of the day was a 1/4 oz gold Kastmaster. If you're interested in seeing the show, it will start airing within a couple weeks on ABC's "Bartell's Backroads". For more information on the lake. Stop by the Caples Lake Resort.


Good luck on your next fishing adventure. If you have a question. a report in our local fishing area or have a photo of your catch, send it to [email protected]. Hope to see you on the waters. Good fishin' and tight lines.


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