WEEKLY FISHING REPORT 12.18.25

IT’S ALL ABOUT THE CATCHING!

WE WISH EVERYONE A MERRY CHRISTMAS, HAPPY HANUKKAH, HAPPY HOLIDAYS AND A HEALTHY NEW YEAR!!!

EAGLE CLAW/SHAPPELL ICE FISHING TOURNAMENT 2026 SIGN UP ONLINE CLICK BOOK NOW BOX TO ENTER

CONTEST NOTES: Well we have already received the calls that so and so heard that the first contest was cancelled because of lack of ice. Won’t happen. Worst case delayed a week but we still believe the lake can cap and get enough ice. Not like this hasn’t happened before in the 27 year history of the tournament. One year the lake didn’t freeze until two days after Christmas. Within three days there was 4 inches.

Always looking for a few volunteers to help out for on ice inspections and other things. We pay for your gas, feed you well and have lots of fun. Contact Larry at elevenmile@hotmail.com if interested.

Team Event consist of two anglers of which one must be at least 18 years old. Note that those that enter all three play a points game for bonus cash. Points are awarded for each contest with highest total for all three being the winners. There are points awarded for early entry. At 10 points for Colorado Classic Early you wouldn’t believe how many years were decided by less. This year the early entry cut off date is December 26. You get a discounted rate of $275.00 for all three contests plus points. You can still sign up for all three until January 11 at the regular rate of $325.00 no points. Must be in all three contests to qualify for the Toyota Tacoma.

If a team ends up being in all three contests individually they will earn points and be eligible for the Tacoma. At least one of the team members needs to be in all three meaning if you need to you can switch out team members.

EARLY SIGN UP RATES FOR ALL THREE EVENTS MUST BE MADE BY 12.26. YOU CAN STILL SIGN UP AFTER BUT COST $50.00 MORE

CURRENT CONDITIONS UPDATE: 12.18.25 Well can’t be too happy about the wind. Of course it just hasn’t been here and even though the days have been in the 50’s for a couple hours the nights have been cold and the lake was capped almost 100% just a few days ago. So we wait. Not so easy to even fish from shore with the wind as it has been.

WE WILL BE OPEN THIS WEEKEND: Oh well why wait for Ice On. We will be around all weekend until 4:00PM. We were all expecting ice by now anyway. If you are out and about and you were planning on going ice fishing like we were, might as well go ice talking and maybe ice shopping. Anyone that stops in and says “Merry Christmas jigging bells jigging bells” gets a free Krystal Lazer AND Tiny Tot. Come try on a Striker Apex. Look forward to seeing you.

EARLY SEASON ICE SAFETY: Our slogan is “there is no such thing as safe ice”. You should always approach ice fishing with the appropriate amount of caution particularly during early ice. You can never predict what the lake may decide to do when the ice is forming. Some recent anglers noted there was two to four inches at Cross Creek. Well it’s plain stupid to go out on two inches. We look for at least four and in the early season. The question is how thick is it on your next step. Here is our safety checklist.

1. Never go alone! In early ice it is asking for trouble going by yourself 2. Wear safety ice picks around your neck. 3. Have a whistle also around your neck. 4. Bring a type IV throwable float cushion. 5. If you don’t own a floatation tech coat and bibs like a Striker ice wear a PFD vest under your coat…why not? 6. Bring at least 50 feet of rope…throw it the sled and hope you never need it. 7. Drill plenty of test holes on your way out. It may be 4 inches where you stand and 2 inches where you sit. It’s easy and a no brainer to keep testing the ice. 8. Even when you go with someone let friends or family know of your plans. 9. Always have a set of dry clothes in your vehicle. You might not drown if you go through but hypo thermae is always a threat when wet and exposed.

STRIKER BRANDS: When it comes to an ice fishing wish list there is plenty of equipment to catch your bank account. Priority is a personal position. How much do you ice fish? what are your equipment objectives? Investment vs. fad and in the end what makes you HAPPY. For us at the top of the list is being safe, warm and comfortable. The two items here are footwear and outerwear. Find yourself a great pair of boots. As an outdoor hunting/fishing enthusiast an absolute investment would be footwear. Sure Danner boots or other high end makes can cost you over $500.00 but they will serve you well for 10 years or more no problem.

As far as outerwear is concerned this is also an area of investment. If you have a budget as most of us do what would you need or rather have, a Live Scope fish finder starting at $2,800.00 or a coat and bibs with flotation technology that is wind proof and keeps you warm at -30 not to mention saving your life. Striker Brands has numerous offerings in this department. This year we are carrying a line of products by our new sponsor Striker. If you go to one of the big boxy places they do carry some Striker but not much. What they do carry is never discounted and strictly follows MSRP. SO our Striker products are the same price you will find anywhere or less. We have their new floatation tech vests which are versatile and stylish. Probably won’t see those at Scheels or Bass Pro. Their new top of the line Apex suits are $529.00 for the Coat $529.00 for the Bibs. We have an EXCITING OPPORTUNITY to offer Contest pricing authorized by our new sponsor Striker Brands even if you are not in the contests. Limited time offer get the Apex suit for $449.00 per piece. That is $80.00 off MSRP a $160.00 HUGE SAVINGS for both pieces. You will never regret making the investment particularly at that price. Besides being able to save your life you will be so freaking comfortable and warm. We also have their Stella suits specifically designed for women as well as other flotation Bibs like the Predator starting at $249.00 and other products such as mittens, gloves, beanies etc. Come on in a try them on. Or you can clutch your Live Scope when you go through the ice and take it down to the bottom. No one wants to fall through the ice and most people never do. But those of us who spend countless hours on the ice have stories to tell and are here to tell them because of STRICKER ICE products. I am getting an Apex this year replacing my 15 year old original Striker suit. Which by the way did save my life.

WINTER SEASON HOURS: FROM ICE ON TO ICE OFF OPEN FRIDAY THROUGH MONDAY 8:00AM TO 4:00PM SATURDAY OPEN 7:00AM CLOSED TUESDAY, WED, THURSDAY UNLESS WE ARE HERE. GUIDING SERVICES AVAILABLE 7 DAYS PER WEEK WITH RESERVATION.

Its not ice on but we will be open this weekend

PARK OPEN 24/7/365

WATER FLOW: 60.6 CFS IN 90.6 CFS OUT

WATER TEMP: 32

CPW ANNUAL WINTER STOCKING: Most of the fish put in the lake are dumped in the Winter. CPW found that mortality rates of stocking only catchable size 10-12 inches through the ice produced excellent results. They started this week ice or no it’s almost Winter. They stocked 33,000 Cuttbows at the North Shore.

WINTER 2026 SEASON: We are very excited about the upcoming Winter Season. Although ice fishing is the premier draw many people come out to Eleven Mile State Park for Winter solitude, wildlife viewing, ice skating, ice kiting, cross country skiing, winter camping and adventures. As conditions develop we will maintain an ice skating rink with hockey nets behind the marina for seasonal use at no charge besides your Park Vehicle Pass. CPW will be hosting a Winter Carnival in February and of course we produce the annual Eagle Claw/Shappell Colorado Classic Ice Fishing tournament series held January, February and March. Besides our great store stocked with ice fishing gear/tackle we also feature rental equipment and a great crew of professional ice fishing guides. Larry F, Alex F, Rich K and welcoming this year Leslie B to the crew.

We also have a great deck right off the ice that you can schedule your special event or party at no charge based on availability. We have a grill and sound system if needed. Call to reserve.

EAGLE CLAW/SHAPPELL ICE FISHING TOURNAMENT SERIES JANUARY 10, FEBRUARY 7, MARCH 7. SIGN UP ONLINE STARTS NOVEMBER 15. PRICE IS SAME AS LAST YEAR $275.00 FOR ALL THREE EVENTS $125 FOR INDIVIDUAL TEAM OF TWO. WE ARE RAISING BIG FISH POT FROM $25 PER TEAM TO $35. SINCE IT IS 100% PAYOUT ALL THAT MEANS IS MORE MONEY FOR THE WINNERS BY AT LEAST $1,000. CONTESTS USUALLY PAY OUT OVER $10,000.00 PER EVENT. 20% OF THE FIELD WIN MONEY. WE SPREAD IT AROUND!!

ELEVEN MILE STATE PARK IS IN THE SOUTH PARK NATIONAL HERITAGE AREA

TROUT: Some one is catching but the wind has kept us at bay. There are theories about where the Trout go after ice on. Some believe if there is a period of no wind then freeze the Trout tend to be in shallower water. Windy conditions then freeze pushes them deeper. We certainly anticipate the West end being good early ice as usual but where are the big ones?

SALMON: We always are wishful fishful thinkers. The chances are good that we may have a strong salmon bite this Winter based on prior years stocking numbers there are a lot of two year old’s swimming around. One boater caught his limit just weeks before the lake closed for boating. We generally don’t even get out there for them until mid January waiting for thicker ice. If you want to seriously fish for kokanee you need electronics. Lots of options out there, we like the Vexilar. Also the infamous “jigging machine” clearly adds to your chances of success. We are talking about a box with windshield wiper motor and two or three strands of cowbells/pop gear 20 to 50 feet of leader. No hooks just pop gear fluttering which often brings in the salmon and keeps them around. Where might you find such a device? Well the market is to small for a big company to mass produce so they don’t. You either make one from scratch or buy one from us. Every year has been a challenge getting the proper parts and we are not really in the jigging machine manufacturing business. But Alex has built 10. Sold one already. $289.00 ready to rock with everything, box, battery, motor, leader, 2 strands of pop gear and away you go. Surely they won’t last long. In store only, not online.

NORTHERN PIKE: Early Pike bite usually portends a good season. Only time will tell. We always set at least one tip up with water dog or sucker no matter where we fish deep or shallow. While Salmon fishing we have caught big ones at the buoy line in 80 feet of water with the giant fish just below the ice. Stop in to talk Pike and how to set your tip up just right. We have tip ups of all sorts. Our favorite is the Beaver Dam. Solid quality wood and high quality parts. They are a little pricey but if you don’t lose it you can pass it down to your kids.

ROAD: GOOD: They have chip and sealed the road from Lake George to CR/92 then dirt for about 2 miles then chip and seal to the General Store. The 2 miles of loose dirt and gravel is getting wash boarded and in POOR condition but still a small section of the 10 mile ride in.

CR92/59 to 23: FAIR TO POOR: overall it has been much worse but starting to see deterioration.

PIC # 1: Current conditions.

PIC # 2: Steve in his new Apex

PIC # 3: Get our hot Lazers and Tiny Tots online now

SPECIAL NOTE: 11 Mile Marina is located at the North Shore in Eleven Mile State Park, Lake George Colorado. A CPW Park Pass is required on all vehicles entering the Park. Any fees for Guide/Outfitter/Rental services do not include Park fees, CO fishing license or gratuities.

The WEEKLY FISHING REPORT is produced by fishermen for fishermen. We try to get it done every Thursday but some times fishing or life gets in the way. So if its not there on Thursday morning it will show up by Friday. We appreciate all the support and acknowledge that many of you won't miss a week but every now and then we might. CLICK SUPPORT THE REPORT TO HELP OUT Be Safe. Fish On!

Please direct any questions, comments, PICS or inquiries to elevenmile@hotmail.com

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