NorthWest Kayak Anglers

Regional Discussions => Montana Kayak Fishing => Topic started by: pmmpete on December 07, 2021, 10:26:15 PM

Title: December lake trout fishing on Flathead Lake
Post by: pmmpete on December 07, 2021, 10:26:15 PM
Most of Flathead Lake almost never freezes, so when the temperature isn't too much below freezing and the wind is fairly calm, I go kayak fishing. Today was another one of those days.  It's a fun thing to do in the awkward period in early December when the big game season is over, there isn't enough ice for ice fishing, and there isn't enough snow for backcountry skiing.
Title: Re: December lake trout fishing on Flathead Lake
Post by: YakHunter on December 08, 2021, 06:41:36 AM
Nice pictures.  How much temperature difference is Flathead Lake versus Kalispel?  I saw that Kalispel had temperature highs in the mid to upper 40s even reaching 59 recently.  Have you had any issues with your 360 drive?  I avoided it when I purchased my PA14 as I was worried about longevity of the new design.   
Title: Re: December lake trout fishing on Flathead Lake
Post by: pmmpete on December 08, 2021, 07:24:24 AM
Nice pictures.  How much temperature difference is Flathead Lake versus Kalispel?  I saw that Kalispel had temperature highs in the mid to upper 40s even reaching 59 recently.  Have you had any issues with your 360 drive?  I avoided it when I purchased my PA14 as I was worried about longevity of the new design.
There was a brief warm spell in Western Montana a week or so ago, but the weather has returned to more typical late fall climate-change-impacted temperatures.  It was 27 degrees when I launched. The current road camera picture of Georgetown Lake which is shown below illustrates the usual problem with lakes in Montana at this time of the year; it isn't suitable for either ice fishing or open water fishing.

I haven't had any problems with my 360 drive. It's been on the market for a couple of years, and I hope that Hobie has corrected whatever new product issues have arisen with it.
Title: Re: December lake trout fishing on Flathead Lake
Post by: Mojo Jojo on December 08, 2021, 10:41:13 AM
Hey Pete! You forgot the pictures of all the fish?!  ???
Title: Re: December lake trout fishing on Flathead Lake
Post by: pmmpete on December 08, 2021, 11:28:46 AM
Hey Pete! You forgot the pictures of all the fish?!  ???
The fish were modest sized, good for eating but not for taking grip and grin pictures.
Title: Re: December lake trout fishing on Flathead Lake
Post by: Mojo Jojo on December 08, 2021, 03:33:32 PM
Hey Pete! You forgot the pictures of all the fish?!  ???
The fish were modest sized, good for eating but not for taking grip and grin pictures.
Any fish picture loos good my friend. Glad you got some fishing in. Always love reading your East of the Rockies reports.
Title: Re: December lake trout fishing on Flathead Lake
Post by: pmmpete on December 08, 2021, 04:04:15 PM
Hey Pete! You forgot the pictures of all the fish?!  ???
The fish were modest sized, good for eating but not for taking grip and grin pictures.
Any fish picture loos good my friend. Glad you got some fishing in. Always love reading your East of the Rockies reports.
Actually, Missoula and Flathead Lake are west of the continental divide..
Title: Re: December lake trout fishing on Flathead Lake
Post by: skayaker2 on December 08, 2021, 04:55:04 PM
Looks pretty, cold but not windy. It seems any fish caught in those conditions from a kayak would merit a picture, looks pretty cold!!
Pictures or no pictures it's great you got to enjoy a day out in the water and bring something for the table!
Title: Re: December lake trout fishing on Flathead Lake
Post by: pmmpete on December 14, 2021, 08:08:57 AM
I got in another day of lake trout fishing on Flathead Lake on December 13.  It started to snow as I was getting off the lake.  Perhaps it's time to pack up my kayak fishing gear for the winter and dig out my ice fishing gear.
Title: Re: December lake trout fishing on Flathead Lake
Post by: YakHunter on December 14, 2021, 08:15:22 AM
Got to hand it to you on getting out when the white fluffy stuff is abundant.  You are a hardier soul than I am.  Although some of our lakes are now forming hardwater so I need to drag out my auger.
Title: Re: December lake trout fishing on Flathead Lake
Post by: alpalmer on December 14, 2021, 08:35:11 AM
I got in another day of lake trout fishing on Flathead Lake on December 13.  It started to snow as I was getting off the lake.  Perhaps it's time to pack up my kayak fishing gear for the winter and dig out my ice fishing gear.

The new ride looks good!