When I arrived at Palmer Lake on Friday afternoon there were two anglers on the ice at the bottom end of the lake, just off the access. They chose not to risk the condition of the ice. It has warmed a bit, and although probably safe, they were going to wait for a couple of cold nights before trying to fish Palmer. The lake is known for good perch fishing as well as producing nice rainbow and some larger kokanee. I put this on my list to try later this winter. I spent the night in Winthrop and the next morning I was at Patterson Lake, about ten miles from town. Anglers were scattered all over the lake and were catching rainbow. I was running two rods and got hits on both my Kokabow blade and Swedish Pimple rig and the other with a Glo Hook and Swedish Pimple dropper. I just wasn’t quick enough to hook anything. I visited with a few anglers that had caught several rainbow that morning and there were some dandies on the ice. I didn’t see any perch or crappie caught. Patterson Lake would be spot for anglers looking for nice rainbow this winter.
Patterson Lake near Winthrop is a beautiful lake for ice fishing in the winter.