FISHING CONDITIONS ON LAKES CADILLAC AND MITCHELL
FROM PILGRIM VILLAGE FISHING SHOP
A temporary warm-up sure made a beautiful weekend. Now the temps are dropping with another storm on its way.
Most have learned to deal with the slush on the shore lines. Some areas have hardened by themselves. The colder weather is curing the problem.
Expect mixed catches on both lakes. Most anglers setting tip-ups are catching Northerns of all sizes. Many talk of several flags and are having fun catching pike from 30 to over 30 inches.
Bass Season is about to close but they’ve been hitting tip-ups on a regular basis. They’ll still bite after December 31st and must be released.
Panfish action is picking up but not as good as we expect for first ice. The bright spot has been crappies. The coves on Mitchell and Kenwood Park Area on Cadillac often catch numbers.
The best bite seems to be late afternoon into dark. Small minnows are said to be their favorite bait but red spikes are currently out fishing them. The bluegill guys are using spikes on ultralight jigs have found the crappies and a mix of bluegill and sunfish. Current conditions, try down sizing to jigs as snall as you can handle. Tungsten works well.
Both lakes seem to be filled with perch–small perch. May be one out of 10 may be a keeper. A few healthy 10/12 inchers have been caught but never any numbers, just enough to get excitied. Someone will find a school.
Everyone wants walleyes. Most the last few days were caught by accident fishing panfish or on tip-ups. It has slowed but the constant is a dark afternoon, night bite. Catch one during a bright day, you’re lucky. Go out and buy a lottery ticket.
FOR YOUR INFORMATION-Several bullheads have been caught in the Big and Small Coves lately. Have never been aware of this before. They fight-more fun on the ice!