Orchard lake, lakeville

[crappieboy17]

How is the ice? Can you still drive out? How's fishing been?

Thanks.

[outdoors247]

I was on Prior last weekend and the ice was still very good. The problem you run into this time of the year is the access. The access will start to break down with the temps predicted. It might still be good this weekend but we are living on borrowed time as far as driving out.

The good thing is, it's not a big lake and you should be able to hit up most spots with a short walk.

[fishdaddy]

Was there Sunday, you could get on with 4x4 only. Water is washing down the launch from the parking lot. Ice was still good on the lake but with the run off I'm not sure the access is holding up. You have the boat launch, the beach and a parking lot on the north side of the lake that you could walk from. Be careful and good luck.

[crappieboy17]

The access was the fun part you could do it with 2wd but 4x4 was better. Caught lots of fish, but everything was to small to keep. Drove out a f-350. Plenty of ice out there. How did you do on prior planning on going out there today.

[outdoors247]

I was on Prior last weekend and it was so-so. I was marking fish everywhere but they were in a neutral mood. They weren't smacking the bait that's for sure. If you put your time in you can do alright. I found the larger fish to be a little shallower and higher in the water column. I was fishing 13 FOW and the fish were 2 feet off the bottom to 4 feet under the ice. Everyone that I talked to had the same experience.

Good luck!