I always try to visit a few of the lakes that open on March 1st each year, to give anglers an idea of what to expect in this very early season opener. Two of the more popular lakes are just outside the town of George. To the east is Martha Lake, which is a long, narrow, and shallow pond. When I arrived, I was pleased to see a big crowd of people fishing here and even a couple of kayaks paddling down the middle of the lake. Martha is a favorite of many folks as although it is small with lots of good shore access, it produces some very large rainbow some years. I continued my survey by driving back up the road and past George to the west. Here is where you will find Caliche Lake. It was mostly frozen but there were a few people fishing the southern shore where there was open water. Bob Freeze was just getting back to his vehicle when I arrived, and he let me take a photo of his catch. He had a limit of very nice rainbow that averaged at least 12 inches, with one that was probably 15 inches he took from upper Caliche.
Bob Freeze shows off a nice stringer he got from Caliche and upper Caliche Lake on Tuesday morning.