Winter means different things to fishermen. While the impending ice age might mean hard times for some, for hard-water fishermen good times can be as close as the nearest frozen pond. Or as distant as a mountain lake, where a trek on snowmobile, cross-country skis or snowshoes may be required to access the trout swimming beneath layers of snow and ice.

Whether the destination is near or far, the hard water has a large and loyal following. Ice fishing just might be the fastest-growing form of fishing in Colorado and for good reason.

Ice fishing can be a casual diversion, or it can be a passion, but the hard water also can offer some of the best fishing of the entire year. The sport can be gregarious, a ritual of preparation and easy camaraderie to be enjoyed as much as the fishing itself. It also can be solitary, reflective and an escape from the office crowd.

Ice fishing's many dimensions are reflected both in the variety of frozen waters offering ice-fishing possibilities and the equipment assembled for testing them.

Close-to-home escapes for Denver fishermen include Chatfield, Cherry Creek and Aurora reservoirs. All have trout and a variety of warm-water species including walleyes, perch, crappie and bass. All tend to freeze later than higher-elevation waters, however, and during some winters, conditions remain marginal at best.

More-solid ice usually appears earlier on George town Lake, easily accessible off Interstate 70 and offering mostly rainbow trout. The Kriley and Slough ponds in Golden Gate Canyon State Park are open for ice fishing. Both have trout, which may not be as large as in some other waters but can provide some fast action.

Reservoirs at somewhat higher elevations and a little farther away generally offer optimal conditions and are the most popular among ice fishermen. The South Park lakes top them all.

Antero Reservoir south of Fairplay is a traditional early season favorite. The reservoir reopened in 2007 after being closed for several years because of draining during the recent drought. Ice fishermen enjoyed exceptionally good action for large trout early last winter, but the catch rate later plummeted. Colorado Division of Wildlife sampling last spring documented a significant loss of trout to winter kill, but the lake was heavily restocked through the summer. Fish grow very quickly in Antero, and the ice-fishing prospects again appear bright.

Elevenmile Reservoir, roughly 20 miles downstream of Antero, also received significant plants of trout through the summer. Ice fishing for trout should be good. Elevenmile's kokanee salmon population has declined significantly, however, and this year's outlook is poor. Northern pike add another element to Elevenmile's scene.

Tarryall Reservoir, southeast of Jefferson, is smaller but has a fairly good population of trout and potentially good action through the ice. The lake also has some Northern pike.

Middle Park presents some interesting possibilities, with Wolford Mountain and Williams Fork reservoirs near Kremmling, and Green Mountain Reservoir to the south. All have trout and kokanee salmon. Green Mountain also has mackinaw (lake trout), and Williams Fork has both Northern pike and mackinaw. A little to the north, Stagecoach Reservoir also offers trout and pike.

For fishermen willing to travel a bit farther, Lake John and the three Delaney Buttes reservoirs in North Park near Walden are among the state's top big-trout fisheries.

Traveling fishermen also might try Granby Reservoir north of Granby, where large mackinaw are the chief attraction and kokanee also are available. Taylor Reservoir, in an icebox north of Gunnison, has trout, mackinaw and pike, and relatively few fishermen. Expansive Blue Mesa Reservoir just to the east of Gunnison offers trout, kokanee, mackinaw and perch.

To complete the tour, Rifle Gap Reservoir, just north of Rifle, has a mixed bag of fish similar to the metro-area reservoirs, with perch, bass, crappie, pike, trout and a few large walleyes.

With a destination in mind, it's time to round up the gear. That begins with the obvious - a means of getting through the ice and to the fish.

Every ice-fishing group must have an ice auger. (Using an ax or spud bar to chop a hole in the ice is dangerous and not recommended.) Hand augers are lighter and less expensive but require more effort to use. Gasoline models are heavier and more expensive but make the job a lot easier.

Both generally are available in 6-, 8- and 10-inch diameters, the maximum permissible in Colorado. As a rule, the smaller the diameter, the quicker and easier the drilling. Larger diameters cost a little more but make bringing a large fish through the ice easier. Auger rentals are sometimes available from local fishing shops.

Once a hole is drilled, the fisherman will need a slush spoon or similar device to dip out floating chunks of ice and periodically chip away newly forming ice.

Next, they'll need at least one rod. A common spinning rod may do, but short, light rods made specifically for ice fishing will perform better, especially in the tight quarters of an ice-fishing hut. The line should be as light and limber as the expected size of fish permits. Check for fraying and line weakening, and replace as necessary.

Assorted baits and sinkers may have their applications, but day-in, day-out, jigs made of feathers, animal hair or synthetic materials are the most effective for trout and kokanee salmon. The variety of jigs knows no bounds. Most incorporate elements of profile, glow, flash and color to attract fish. Most fishermen tip jigs with mealworms, wax worms, corn grubs or commercial scents, where permitted.

So much for the essentials, but how do you get them onto the ice?

A 5-gallon paint bucket that doubles as a seat on the ice is the most basic choice. A kids' snow sled or a custom-built version mounted on skis might be the next step. Specialty ice-fishing sleds also are readily available.

Often, sleds are built into portable black-out huts, among the first of accessories-turned-essentials for many ice fishermen. Huts cut the wind, stay warm on a cold day and probably most important, provide an aquarium-like view into the lake below.

With or without a hut, ice-fishing enjoyment begins with comfort. To the list of essentials add layers of winter clothing, insulated boots complete with non-skid chains, a hat, at least two pairs of gloves - in case one gets wet - plus sunglasses and sunscreen.

Keep it light on the ice

Is the ice safe? Good question, and one that has no foolproof answer. By one rule of thumb, 4 to 5 inches is considered an acceptable thickness, but safe-ice rules have many exceptions.

* The strength of ice depends on several factors, including temperature, exposure to sunlight and underwater currents. Thickness and strength often vary across a lake. Four inches covering a shaded, shallow cove early in the winter may support the weight of ice fishermen, but walking on 4 inches - or 8 or 12 - in the spring could be courting disaster.

* If you're not sure of the thickness, drill a series of test holes on your way across the lake. Look for solid, clear ice. If in doubt, don't proceed.

* Avoid springs, inlets, outlets, pressure-ridge edges and other areas where ice could be weak.

* Distribute your weight. Don't carry your gear in a backpack - it concentrates weight and could be a dangerous burden if you fall through. Use an equipment sled trailed an adequate distance behind you. As a group, spread out across the ice, both in traveling across the surface and while fishing.

* Carry a length of rope to throw in case someone falls through. Don't get too close to the edge and also fall through. Encourage the victim to "swim" back onto the ice.

* In marginal conditions, members of a group may wear life jackets, rope themselves together like mountain climbers and walk 10 yards apart. Better yet, keep off. Discretion is always better than falling through the ice, and the fish will still be there later.

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