This past weekend, myself, my roommates Amy and Joel and Mike set off for a fishing trip. It was a balmy -22 F with no wind. (-22 without wind actually feels quite good after a week of -40F wind chill factor.)
This was Amy and Joel’s first ice fishing trip for Shee fish. We went to the inlet near town, a mere 20 min snow machine ride from town.
With the weather being so cold, many of the native people just drive their trucks onto the ice and fish from the cab. The crew next to us had about 30 fish between them.
Amy caught the first fish. This was her first Alaskan fish. After that she too was hooked!
Joel caught the next few, and what we thought was going to be the largest.
I caught only 1 this time, but was happy watching Amy and Joel excitement over the size of the fish.
Mike caught the largest, just over 3 ½ feet long and weighing in at about 30 lbs.
Mike really LOVES his Shee fish!
The other type of fish we caught is called bull head. They are very boney and usually end-up getting thrown back. It is amazing how this fish can survive the cold air temp. and just swim away.
Joel too LOVES his Shee fish!
And just for you Dad, here is the infamous “Hee” fish!!A bit of info on the shee fish:
Sheefish spawn during fall in the upper reaches of
the Kobuk River. A large female may produce
400,000 eggs, which are broadcast at water's surface
while the male fertilizes them below as they sink
through the water column. The young sheefish
emerge in spring and are swept downstream by
spring floods to the lower river or estuary, where
they begin feeding on plankton but soon switch to a
diet of small fish. Sheefish grow rapidly; males
reach sexual maturity at about 30 inches in 8 years,
and females become mature in 9 years at about 34
inches.
The spawning migration begins soon after spring
breakup. Sexually mature fish move gradually
upstream and gather on the spawning grounds in
early August. Spawning is usually completed by
late September (although not all sheefish spawn
every year), and spent fish migrate downstream to
winter in Hotham Inlet. Sheefish in the Kobuk
River can live 20 years or more and reach weights of
50 pounds (23 kg). The largest sheefish are females,
carrying many eggs.
More than 20,000 sheefish spawn in the Kobuk
River each year, presenting a good opportunity for
anglers seeking this species.
Sheefish spawn during fall in the upper reaches ofthe Kobuk River. A large female may produce
400,000 eggs, which are broadcast at water's surface
while the male fertilizes them below as they sink
through the water column. The young sheefish
emerge in spring and are swept downstream by
spring floods to the lower river or estuary, where
they begin feeding on plankton but soon switch to a
diet of small fish. Sheefish grow rapidly; males
reach sexual maturity at about 30 inches in 8 years,
and females become mature in 9 years at about 34
inches.
The spawning migration begins soon after springbreakup. Sexually mature fish move gradually
upstream and gather on the spawning grounds in
early August. Spawning is usually completed by
late September (although not all sheefish spawn
every year), and spent fish migrate downstream to
winter in Hotham Inlet. Sheefish in the Kobuk
River can live 20 years or more and reach weights of
50 pounds (23 kg). The largest sheefish are females,
carrying many eggs.
More than 20,000 sheefish spawn in the Kobuk
River each year, presenting a good opportunity for
anglers seeking this species.
