Month: January 2014

Tip-up fishing with his Dad, Logan McGee landed a
healthy 37 1/4″, ll.39 lb Northern. Dark House Anglers
eat your hearts out.

FISHING CONDITIONS ON LAKES CADILLAC AND MITCHELL
FROM PILGRIM VILLAGE FISHING SHOP

Never knew what a “Polar Vortex” was until last week. Prefer not to see another after the extreme cold, wind and
pipes. However, the changes in the barameter made some of the better fishing for some, once it passed.

Fridays rain did not hurt the lakes. Expect about a foot of ice and less snow. Its definiitely power auger time or
you won’t cut many holes. Its not recommened but pickpus are starting to drive on the lakes.

The pike and crappie were active on both lakes.

Looks like the crappie and other panfish have left the Causeway on Lake Cadillac. Those fishing there say its slowing.
They may have to move to the Kenwood Park Area. Most there are happy with their catches.

30TH North American Snow Festival
Ice Fishing Contest
Sponsored by Fox Motors of Cadillac
Saturday, February 1, 2014

Rules and Registration

You must have a $5.00 NASF Button to be eligible and your badge number registered at either MC Sports,
Pilgrim Village Fishing Shop or Schafer’s Bait and Sporting Goods prior to fishing.

Prizes awarded for the largest Northern Pike, Walleye, Bluegill (Sunfish), Crappie and Perch. Measured by length.
Any ties will be determined by weight, If weight is a tie then by a coin toss. Judges decisions are final.

Fish must be caught from Lake Cadillac or Lake Mitchell on February 1st between 8 AM and 3 PM.

All Michigan Fishing Laws and regulations apply to this contest.

Contestants are responsible for their own safety, actions and property at all times. NASF or the Sponsors are not responsible for any injuries or accidents. A waiver of liability must be signed by all participants.

All participants over the age of 5 require a NASF Button and must be registered.

All registered participants will be entered for prize drawings whether you catch a fish or not Only 1 prize per person.

You must be present for prize drawings at the Cadillac Junior High School.

Officials will not accept any fish with sunken eyes, or freezer burn or suspected of being caught from another lake.

Bring your catch to the Cadillac Junior High School located at 500 S. Chestnut St. Measuring begins at 2:00 PM and ends promptly at 3:30.

Prizes will be awarded at approximately at 3:30.

Kyle McClelland- Fife Lake, MI

Hey guys, my name is Kyle McClelland. I am 17 years old and live just outside of Traverse City in Fife Lake. Fishing the Great Lakes and their tributaries is my passion as just about everything I do revolves around it. About a year ago I started a Facebook page to post about some of my fishing adventures and now the page has just shy of 4,000 followers.

Owner of XXL Chrome Chasing- Call (906) 450 1975

-“Like” us on Facebook! www.facebook.com/xxlchromechasing <http://www.facebook.com/xxlchromechasing>

-Subscribe to us on Youtube!! http://www.youtube.com/user/kylemcclelland88?feature=mhee

-Check out our website at- www.chromechasing.com <http://www.chromechasing.com>

Joel’s Jigs tipped with a couple wax worms were hot today!!!

Kyle fishing friend Thane Herbert with a nice fish

CHAPPEL DAM GROCERY & SPORTS  2014 FISHING CONTEST

Starting January 4^th until March 1^st

Cost: $5.00 for Adults- 12yrs

$3.00 for Children 1 – 11 yrs

Cook out at Chappel Dam Store on March 1^st starting at 11:00am

Winners announced and prizes to be given after final measure

Come join us all fishermen!!!

Prize for longest fish in each age group and category:

• Perch
• Bluegill
• Crappie
• Pike
• Walleye

Event for the whole family!

You must bring fish in to be measured to qualify. We will upgrade the size of your fish category with each measured catch.

Final measure to be on March 1^st at NOON!!!

Higgins Lake the snow is melting down and after tonight should be in good shape.

There are no reports of smelt but perch fishing is awesome just over the drop off with nice perch being caught. Lake trout fishing has been good but have not heard of any hogs yet, but maybe Bob Stockton is keeping quiet about the lakers. Also pike have been biting great. Eric from Phoenix Park says high as his store is closed but is managing the bait at Silver Dollar Express mile north of his store

Skegemog guys are reporting nice perch the last two days with wigglers and perch minnows

Green Lake the best smelt fishing seems to be on the South end as the Green Lake Park Access they are just catching a few, but nice pike.

Houghton Lake the middle ground is good with walleye being caught during the day, south weed bed some gills, around Lyman’s Shanties a good pike and perch bite.

A bunch of guys were heading out tonight on Green Lake to fish smelt and reports have been good this week with up to 100 smelt per person.

Wixom Lake has bee good with gills crappie and pike. Wiggins and Pratt Lake in Gladwin County have bee producing crappie, pike and crappie

We are putting a perch fishing contest together for next Saturday January 11, 2014. Pentwater Lake has been awesome this winter for perch

Fishing will be on Pentwater lake from 7:00am to 3:00pm
With weigh in at Boathouse Bar and Grill.

Ten dollar entry with 100 % pay in cash and prizes. Pay down three places with more based on entry. Door prizes available at weigh in.

Registration startsSat 6:00 am and runs through 9:00 am the day of the tourney. Forms will be available at Pentwater angler.
Come out and enjoy a day of fun in Pentwater!
More information will follow.

Best Five perch cumulative weight. Big fish prize as well. Angler decides his biggest then submits five of his best to weigh for a five fish total. We weigh them. Best five fish total wins. Tie breaker is longest fish, second tie breaker if needed is first angler to weigh

Open Sat at . Open at 6:00am for registration. Fishing starts at seven. Must register before ten. And before you fish.

Eric from Phoenix Park Higgins Lake has set up a bait station at the Silver Dollar Express and will be selling bait there this year instead of Phoenix Park Party Store. It is a mile north of his old store,

They will have a complete line of bait and tackle and great service with deli. pizza, full line of liquor, beer and wine

The arctic Vortex put and end to fishing for a couple days but today many are back out and catching fish. With the warm-up this weekend things should be back to normal

Northwestern Michigan

Green Lake: In Grand Traverse County is producing some smelt and big pike. The better fishing has been late afternoon this week with reports of 100 or more of smelt the last few days. red spikes, white spikes, waxworms with a hali jig have been the best bet. Ice is good at both landing with many shanties out off the south access .

Skegemog- Perch have been biting but fisherman a just getting back out.Call Jack’s Sport Shop@231-258-8892

Fife Lake- People are back out and catching some nice perch Call Lakeside Party @ 231-879-3341

Portage Lake- Osborn’s says big perch are biting and pike, walleye, and gills are biting Call Osborne’s@ 231-889-3775

Hamlin Lake- Thet are getting back out on the lake with pike, walleye, gills and crappie biting Hamlin Grocery@(231) 843-2058 and Capt. Chucks @ (231) 843-4458

Lake Missaukee- Fishing has been great with crappie pike , and gills on the bite. Call Miller Corner@ 231-839-0440.

Crystal Lake: Anglers are starting to fish for smelt however extreme caution needs to be used. This is a very deep lake and takes much longer to freeze.

Lake Cadillac: Is producing crappie for those using small jigs with a minnow or spike in 10 to 12 feet. Walleye are being caught by those jigging rapalas or using tip-ups but the fish are running small. Pike are being taken on tip-ups and by those spearing. Call Pilgrim Village 231-775-5412 latest info

Lake Mitchell: Is also producing a fair number of crappie especially off the State Park. Pike action was good for those using tip-ups or spearing. Call Pilgrim Village 231-775-5412 latest info

Manistee River: Steelhead fishing slowed with the cold temperatures and shelf ice. Pappy’s Bait is open for the season at Wellston shop hours are 8 to 5 right now call@ 231-848-4142 he gets reports daily on Tippy Dam

Pere Marquette River: Steelhead and brown trout fishing slowed with the extremely cold temperatures. Fish the deeper holes until it warms back up.

Long Lake, Lake Leelanau had a good bite going last week so with the warm-up things should be good.

Big Glen is froze but have not heard any reports on ice or fish bite.

Duck Lake by Interlochen has been good for pike and some gills off of Strawberry Point

Lake Bellaire has been fair for walleye and pike.

Clam LaKE HAS BEEN GOOD FOR PIKE

Northeast Michigan

Black Lake- Has good ice with perch being caught. Call Parrots Outpost for the latest ice conditions (989) 733-2472

Mullet Lake- Is producing perch for those using minnows and wigglers call Mullet Lake Party store@ (231) 627-4644 or Topinabee Market@ 231-238-9578

Burt Lake: Catch rates have been slow on perch un Maple Bay. Call Pat & Gary’s Party Store 231-238-6776

Grand Lake: Was producing a few perch. Try 15 to 25 feet of water around Grand Island.

Long Lake: Is producing walleye and perch. Call Bucks@ 989-595-2121

Otsego Lake- Fishing has been fair on Otsego Perch fishing has been fair on Bradford, chub Lake trout fishing has been good. Call Northern Sports@ 987-448-2014

Higgins Lake- Has ice however not all the ice is safe. Some areas still have thin ice. Deep snow is covering some of those areas up along with a large pressure crack. Anglers need to use extreme caution..
.Call Silver Dollar Express or Sports Barn 989-821-9511 for latest ice conditions

Houghton Lake- Ice continues to build thanks to artic temperatures in the region. Strong winds were blowing the snow around. Before the cold spell, anglers were catching pike and perch. Walleye action was fair to good along the south shore in 6 to 8 feet of water. The better fishing was after 6pm. Anglers still need to use caution and watch for snow drifts and pressure cracks. Angelo’s Party Store has shanties call for the latest info@ 989-202-4422

Dave at Four Season Party Store has his shanties out and they were catching fish before the big freeze, guy are getting back out today call Dave @989-422-5230
Lyman’s @ 989-422-3231 says pike walleye and perch

Korbinski’s call Rod@ 989-366-9500

Pappa’s Bait reporting walleye fishing off the middle grounds on Houghton Lake. 989-429-5780

VanEttan Lake: Has ice and good access at Ratliff Park and the campground off F-41. Anglers caught perch, bluegills, brown trout and steelhead.

Au Sable River: With the cold temperature, most of the river has ice making it difficult to fish. There are steelhead from the mouth to the dam. Most of the fish are lying in the deeper holes which are on the bends and layered with ice however it is possible to drift bait under the ice. Access to the river was limited after all the snow and the only sites that were cleared to launch boats were the River Store and the Whirlpool.

Lake Margrethe: Is producing some walleye. Call Skips Sport@ 989-348-7111 for latest info

Tawas: Had some walleye activity inside the harbor and over at Jerry’s Marina but catch rates were sporadic. Pike spearing has been hit-or-miss. Perch are running small; anglers report seeing bigger fish however they would not bite.

Wixom Lake has been great for gills, pike and lots of crappie.Ice fishing is great here on Wixom Lake, Gladwin County. Be sure to stop at Sandys Market to get your bait!call (989) 435-9688

Sanford Lake has been fair call Sanford Sport for info on Wixom and Sanford @ 989-687.5161

Secord Lake has been great for big crappie.

Wiggins and Sugar Springs have been good for pike and panfish

Upper Peninsula Report

Menominee: The bay was slow because of rough ice.
Menominee River: Had anglers targeting panfish at the Mennekeaunee slough. They caught mainly perch and bluegills when jigging wax worms. Some are targeting pike off the Mystery Ship landing by setting up tip-ups with large minnows but catch rates were slow. Those near the Hattie Street Dam caught walleye on the Wisconsin side when jigging wax worms or minnows through the ice. Anglers fishing on the Michigan side had open water so they are casting rapalas for trout and walleye. A few brown trout and steelhead were also caught.
Little Bay De Noc: Has plenty of ice. Catch rates were good for perch and walleye in the northern parts of the bay before the extreme cold so they should return once it warms back up. The better walleye fishing was along the flats at Kipling and south near Gladstone when jigging rapalas in 25 to 28 feet. A few walleye were caught south of Aronson Island as well and a 21 inch splake was taken. Perch were caught near Kipling but the bite did slow. Try minnows and spikes in 10 to 23 feet. Some were fishing near the Escanaba Power Plant.
Munising: Ice fishing is on for whitefish and splake in the bay.
Manistique Lake: Has good ice on both lakes. Anglers caught perch and pike but the walleye bite was slow.
St. Mary’s River: Is producing a few whitefish in the upper river.
Munuscong: Has ice fishing but catch rates for perch and walleye were slow.
Cedarville and Hessel: Pike and perch fishing were slow in Musky Bay and Hessel Bay. Anglers still need to use caution and remember to carry a flotation device.

Southeast Lower Peninsula Fishing Report

Lake Erie: Those fishing in the Metro Park Marina and the Banana Dike caught perch on red spikes. No big numbers yet but some nice fish were caught.
Huron River: Try the deeper holes for steelhead until it warms back up.
Detroit River: Has a good amount of chunk ice which makes fishing rather difficult. There was a report of ice backed up near Horse Island.
Washtenaw County: Lake Independence was producing bluegill and pike.
Livingston County: Lake Chemung was fair to good for bluegill. Thompson Lake was producing pike.
Lake St. Clair: Has ice. Perch fishing has been fair to good, but varying a lot from day to day and from place to place. The better reports came from Geno’s and the Metro Beach area. Perch spearing is legal through the end of February. Pike spearing is now open and runs through March 15th. Muskie spearing is prohibited.
St. Clair River: Shore anglers at Port Huron are catching steelhead, brown trout and some whitefish however ice flows can affect this fishery from day to day. Conditions are best when there is a west wind pushing the ice away from the shoreline.
Saginaw Bay: Those fishing about four miles off Palmer Road have caught walleye. Perch fishing near shore was hit-or-miss and the fish were small. Walleye were caught in 20 feet of water off Linwood and near the Bay City State Park in the old shipping channel. Along the east side, walleye were caught in the Slot, two miles off Sunset Bay and in 14 feet of water off Thomas Road. Most of the activity at Sebewaing is concentrated in the marina with a couple spearing shacks. Some are spearing pike at Mud Creek but success was hit-or-miss. At Caseville, there are ice shanties in the marina basins and near the mouth. Anglers have taken a few walleye and lake trout near the mouth of the river. Not much activity north of Caseville. The state harbor at Port Austin is still closed so access is limited.
Saginaw River: Has all kinds of fishing activity all the way from Wickes Park in Saginaw to the mouth. They’re catching walleye from one end to the other, but down in Saginaw a lot of the fish were sub-legal. More legal size fish were caught at the Middle Grounds at the south end of town and near the M-25 Bridge near Veterans Park. Near the Independence Bridge, anglers were fishing around the destroyer and catching a few keepers. Few anglers were fishing near the mouth because of snowmobilers. Those trying for perch in the marina basins did not have much luck.
Tittabawassee River: Had no fishing activity because it is frozen over, but the ice is too thin for fishing.

Southwest Lower Peninsula Fishing Report

Most of the inland lakes have ice and are now fishable. With all the snow, anglers should continue to use caution because the snow has covered open water associated with inlets and outlets. Bluegills are hitting on spikes, wax worms and mousies in the morning and evening.
St. Joseph River: Has shelf ice and slush which makes steelhead fishing much more difficult.
Kalamazoo River: Steelhead were caught below the Allegan Dam however shelf ice is making it difficult.
Ingham County: Those fishing the inland lakes were catching some panfish.
Jackson County: The inland lakes are providing some great ice fishing opportunities.
Clinton County: There is ice on most lakes across the county but fishing seems to be slow with only a few crappie and bluegill reported.
Muskegon Lake: Some were perch fishing near the Sand Docks but the fish were scattered and the bite was slow.

Muskegon River: Yellow perch were caught at the Davis Bridge.

Most bait-shops report no customers the last two days as many wait for the weather to warm up this weekend so we will be fishing again. Smelt fishing on Green lake has been slow as the most I have heard of this week was 50 but they are catching some pike

Pickford Area
With up to a foot of ice and a foot of snow on Munuscong Bay, anglers are getting out and catching good numbers of walleyes and perch. Minnows have produced the best results for both species. Perch and northern pike are hitting in Lake Michigan at Cedarville, where there was up to 10 inches of ice last week. Snowshoe hare hunting has been slow to get started.
Dan’s Resort (906) 647-8753

Curtis Area
There was up to 24 inches of ice on Manistique Lakes last week, and anglers were driving out to their favorite fishing spots. The walleye bite has been pretty good in the mornings and evenings, and minnows have produced the best results. Good numbers of northern pike have been caught, too, but most have been undersized. There was about 12 inches of snow on the ice, and travel was pretty good. Rabbit and coyote hunting has been fair.

Garden Area
There was a foot of ice on Indian Lake last week, and the perch and walleye bites have been good. Fishing has been tough on Lake Michigan’s Big Bay de Noc, with rough ice and heavy snow making travel difficult. Perch fishing should be good when the winds blow in and smooth out the ice. Predator and rabbit hunting pressure has been light.
The Garden Sport Shop, (906) 644-2908.
Foxy’s Den, (906) 644-2817.

Escanaba Area
There was up to a foot of ice on Lake Michigan’s Little Bay de Noc last week, and fishing there has been good. Perch are hitting minnows and wax worms fished in 25 to 26 feet of water along the shipping channel. Walleyes also are hitting along the shipping channel and off the beach house in Gladstone. Early mornings and right before dark have produced the best bites. Predator hunting has been fair, but hunting pressure has been light
Bay View Bait & Tackle, (906) 786-1488.
BayShore Resort Bait & Tackle (906) 428-2950.

L’Anse Area
Inland lakes are solid, and panfish, walleyes, and northern pike have been caught on Parent and Alberta lakes. Lake Superior’s Keweenaw Bay was flirting with safe ice last week, and the season there should get started soon. Anglers are anticipating a good lake trout season after the outstanding summer catches that were reported. There was about a foot of snow on the ground in L’Anse, with lots more in the Keweenaw Peninsula. Predator hunting has been good.
Indian Country Sports, (906) 524-6518.

Bergland Area
Lake Gogebic ice conditions are good, with up to 12 inches of ice and a foot of snow on top. There are some slush pockets with 4 to 6 inches of slush. ATV travel is best with a set of chains. Walleyes are hitting sucker minnows and jigging baits mostly during low-light conditions in 7 to 14 feet of water. Some northern pike are being caught, too. Perch are hitting wigglers fished in 20 to 25 feet of water.
Bear’s Nine Pines Resort, (906) 842-3361.

More The U.P. of Michigan Fishing Reports »

Northern Michigan Fishing Reports
Northern Lower Peninsula Fishing Report – January 3rd, 2014
Posted on Thu, 02 Jan 2014
East Jordan Area
Heavy slush on Lake Charlevoix last week put a clamp on ice fishing just as the action was heating up. There was 30 inches of snow on 5 inches of ice and slush was everywhere. Coyote and rabbit hunting has been slow to get started in Charlevoix County.
Tom’s Bait & Tackle, (231) 536-3521.

Traverse City Area
Winter steelheading has been good on the Boardman, Betsie, and Big Manistee rivers. Wigglers and wax worms have produced the best action when drifted under floats. There was up to 30 inches of snow on the ground, so anglers were using snowshoes to access the rivers. Inland lakes like Arbutus and Spider were giving up good numbers of bluegills, crappies, and sunfish. Hunting pressure has been light, but a few coyotes have been killed.
MC Sports

Cadillac Area
There was up to 6 inches of ice on lakes Mitchell and Cadillac last week, but heavy snow was making some slush, and travel was getting dicey. Pike fishing has been good, but anglers are having to sort through their catch for the keepers. A few walleyes have been caught on jigging Rapalas, and crappies are hitting minnows and wax worms. There was up to a foot of snow on the ground, and rabbit hunting is off to a good start. Predator hunting has been slow to get started, but could pick up soon.
Schaefer’s Bait & Sporting Goods, (231) 775-7085.
Pilgrim Village Fishing Shop, (231) 775-5412.

Houghton Lake Area
Pike fishing has been good on Houghton Lake, where there was between 10 inches and a foot of ice last week. Good numbers of perch and a few walleyes have been caught, too. The best action has come in 8 to 10 feet of water in East Bay. There was up to a foot of snow on the ground, and predator and rabbit hunting pressure has been light.
Lyman’s on the Lake, (989) 422-3231.

Higgins Lake Area
Safe ice was still forming on Higgins Lake last week. There was about 3 inches of ice under 8 inches of snow. Hunting pressure has been light. There was about a foot of snow in the woods. Predator hunting and rabbit and hare hunting have both been slow to get started in the area.

Hubbard Lake Area
There was up to 18 inches of snow and 5 inches of ice on East Bay of Hubbard Lake last week, and ice fishing has been tough. Heavy slush has made travel difficult. A few walleyes have been caught in the bay and off Hill Street at the south end of the lake.
Side Door Bait and Tackle, (989) 736-6418.