Ice Fishing

The bite is on at Notell'm Lake in Idaho's central mountains. "It's been beautiful, I couldn't ask for much more. Nice sunny calm day, a few fish biting." Fighting through two layers of ice about 18 inches thick which is where a chainsaw and a logger named Rocky come in handy. "This is a 461 Stihl chainsaw I used to cut logs with. It cuts holes in the ice just as good. Don't stand behind the guy running the chainsaw because it throws water all over you." Once the hole is cut, bait up and wait. "It don't look like too many people do this up here. It's beautiful up here as you can see. All around, it's beautiful, peaceful and so quiet and we have been the only people we have seen all day." This tiny lake holds irrigation supply for the green meadows below and is home to trout ranging in size from 10 to 15 inches. Connor Ludwig fishes with his dad Vic and friend, Rocky. He says ice fishing is a tradition he hopes to pass along. "Oh yeah. It's something I enjoyed doing with my dad and he enjoyed doing with his dad. If I had sons it would be something I'd love to do with them too. I think I caught four nice fish. A good day of fishing is always good, always fun." Multiple use of Idaho's natural resources.