As of Thursday, March 17, the north end of the lake was 70% open water with plenty of fishing access to open water from shore.  The south end was mostly covered with very unsafe ice. There is some open water but anglers probably can’t access the open water.  Please stay off the ice.  Anglers report good fishing for trout at the north end.  Nightcrawlers seem to be the bait of choice though some anglers also appeared to be doing well using PowerBait.  For fly rodders, this time of year chironomid patterns are recommended as they can make up as much as 80% of the trout’s diet in the spring in our high desert reservoirs.  Black or olive wooly buggers and black, olive or wine-colored leech patterns may also entice trout.  Pike anglers have had some success using artificial minnows or spoons jigged through the ice for 12-to-18-inch fish.  Anglers, please note that NDOW has placed radio tags in several Northern Pike.  These pike will have an orange Floy tag near their dorsal fin and a small antenna (~ 7 inches long) coming from their stomach.  Please return these fish to the water for research purposes.  All other pike should be humanely dispatched. There is no limit on the pike.