Blue Mesa Ice Fishing Report January 17,2026

January 18, 2026

1/17/26

We’ve been fishing Blue Mesa for about 6 weeks and have ice continuing to grow.  Early ice conditions still come with caution and be sure to use a spud bar to check ice, carry safety equipment and be aware of pressure ridges.  Or give us a call at 970-688-1879 and book a trip with one of our experienced guides that’re on the ice daily monitoring conditions.

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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.