Ice rink, ice fishing finally a go

Better late than never, the Valley's lakes are finally ready for ice skaters and anglers.

While there is still not much in the way of snow this winter and the weather has remained relatively mild, temperatures this past month have finally allowed local lakes to freeze over. This is good news for ice skaters, ice anglers, snowmachiners and others who can take advantage of the late arrival of winter.

The City of Wasilla recently built its annual outdoor ice rink at the end of Wasilla Lake, accessible via the Parks Highway. While only a handful of skaters have been seen out on the lake recently, it may take some time for word to get out that the rink is open.

"This is the latest it's ever gone up," said Tony Leoni, parks superintendent for the city. While ice is safe enough to walk across when it is four inches or so thick, Leoni said the city waits until the ice is 12 inches thick, strong enough to hold the plow and water trucks needed to maintain the ice. This year that time came months later than usual.

"There hasn't really been a normal year," Leoni said. During the past several years since the city began offering the ice rink, however, Leoni said they have been able to open it as early as October and often sometime between Thanksgiving and Christmas.

The city was recently able to plow the snow off the surface and Leoni said the warm weather is keeping a sheen on the ice. The lights are also up and running, making it possible for skaters to enjoy the rink late into the evening.

Leoni said he hasn't yet had the chance to put out the picnic tables, shelter and burn barrel that usually accompany the rink, but he hopes to in the near future.

Leoni joked that by the time the city gets it all set up this year, it will be time to take it down again. But Valley skaters aren't faring any worse than their Anchorage counterparts -- that city just recently got its outdoor rink up and running as well.

Throughout the winter, the Wasilla keeps the roughly 3/4-acre rink plowed and hot mopped for skaters.

For those who are antsy to get out their fishing rods, the ice is also good news. In lakes throughout the Valley, anglers can find some rainbow trout, grayling, char and landlocked salmon.

The Department of Fish and Game office in Palmer can provide a handout on stocked lakes, and with most local lakes getting replenished sometime in late fall, the fishing should be good.

Ice thickness can vary greatly from system to system, and people are warned to carefully investigate the conditions before traveling across frozen lakes. However, most local lakes are now frozen enough to allow people to drive vehicles onto their surfaces. This can provide a perfect day of ice angling for those who aren't fortunate enough to have ice-fishing houses on the lakes. Drive out to a good spot on a lake, drop in a line and if the wind gets a bit chilly, you can always wait it out in your vehicle.

All you need to get started are rods, line, lures, a fishing license and a way to get through the ice. Frequent ice anglers will swear by their power augers, but for those who only get out a few times a year, an inexpensive manual auger will suffice. It is also well worth it to invest in some inexpensive ice fishing rods. The shorter length makes it much easier to use around an ice hole, and the rods can be among the cheapest you'll ever buy.

Local lakes to try include Finger Lake and Kepler-Bradley in the Palmer area and Long Lake up the Glenn Highway.

Some lakes have restrictions on tackle and bag limits, so check the regulations.

Depending on the regulations for the lake, anglers will want to try bait such as cocktail shrimp or single salmon eggs.

According to the Alaska Department of Fish and Game, lake trout and char will be found in the deepest holes you can find.

Some lakes, such as South Rolly, Tanaina, Long and Memory lakes, will also provide a chance to catch pike. Again, depending on the regulations, decoys, silver jigs, lures and bait such as herring or whole sardines work well for pike. Some lakes allow an angler to have five lines through the ice at a time for pike.

A handout on pike fishing is also available at the Palmer office of Fish and Game.