January 17, 2026 Ice Conditions Update

1/17/26

We’ve been ice fishing Blue Mesa for about 6 weeks and while ice is still growing and changing daily, we’ve had a lot of fish hitting the ice.  It’s important to continue using a spud bar to check ice as you go, carry safety gear, and be aware of changing pressure ridges.

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Blue Mesa: Most of the Iola Basin is 7-10 inches with a few thinner areas that froze last. The small new slab heading into the canyon toward Dry Creek is about 5 inches. Dry Creek has some thin floating ice and Elk Creek has a very small patch of 7 inch ice at the bottom of the boat ramp, with new thin ice reaching to the east shore. Heavy wind today was beating up that thin new ice pretty good. Some very large pressure ridges are winding around the Iola Basin that should be avoided if possible, and it’s always best to cross these near shore.