FISHING -- Fourth of July Lake south of Sprague was still skimpy on safe ice this afternoon, but Hog Canyon Lake in the Fishtrap area was firming up nicely in this week's cold snap.

The two winter trout fishing lakes opened the Friday after Thanksgiving and anglers have been able to cast to open water, at least on Fourth of July Lake, until recently.

Although there was a long stretch of glassy ice on the west end of Fourth of July (see photo), waterfowl were paddling around to keep two large areas of water ice-free.  A snow-packed footpath leading from the portable toilet in the parking lot (Discovery Pass or equivalent required) leads to the prime west-end fishing area where there's more water depth. If you haven't been to Fourth of July Lake for 20 years, you'll be surprised at the lack of water.  Another few days of cold weather might be necessary to make the ice safe.

Hog Canyon, however, has seen its surface ice firm up significantly in the past two days. Some areas -- I won't say the entire lake -- should have two-four inches of firm ice by Wednesday morning.

That said, BE CAREFUL OUT THERE. 

Check the ice thickness and don't concentrate too much weight in one spot.

Fourth of July has the larger rainbows -- some larger than 16 inches, but the average foot-longs from Hog Canyon are plump.