I KNOW WHERE THE FISH ARE BITING IN MICHIGAN
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.
Hamlin Lake Ice Fishing Report for Jan 2, 2014
Hamlin Grocery has live bait and deli, beer and is a full line party store
Hamlin Grocery
3611 N. Jebavy Dr.
Ludington, MI 49431
Phone: (231) 843-2058
Hamlin Grocery Web Site
Hot fishing tip for the day ……by Vaughn Flewelling of Hamlin Grocery
Other then the typical bluegill area east of Wilson Hill Park, word is fish “GILLS” are being caught at South Bayou……East from the launch. Wax worms with a white Fiska was used by this fisherman. With wax worm 3 feet off the bottom in about 10 ft. waer, limit was caught in hours just before dusk.
Also some nice crappie being caught in the 12/14 inch range around dusk. The ice is about 10 inches thick and its a simple walk out.
Cold temps right now, remember to dress warm and be safe. Please stop in and show me your catch . Grab a cup of coffee or hot chocolate, and tell me your fishing stories. Love to see your fish ! Happy New Year, 2014 is off to a great start.
Captain Chucks in Ludington now has a complete line of fresh live bait and offers complete fishing and archery supplies. Stop in a say hello and get your minnows. Contact Captain Chucks Inc today at 231-843-4458 for all of your Ludington, MI fishing and archery needs.
Captain Chucks Inc
5770 W US 10
Ludington, MI 49431
Hours of Business:
Monday-Sunday: 9:00am-6:00pm
Two very happy ice fishermen with their 43 Inch 18 Lb N pike caught on a golden on manistee Lake at penny park, fresh bait from DON’S BAIT in Manistee call for the latest info 231-723-5028
FISHING CONDITIONS ON LAKES CADILLAC AND MITCHELL
FROM PILGRIM VILLAGE FISHING SHOP
SUNDAY, JANUARY 5, 2014
It isn’t first ice anymore. The cold temperatures and snow make it feel like the winter has been going on for months. The fish don’t know it though. At times the bite has been good.
Crappie, one of the favorites have been cooperating. The Kenwood Park area on Lake Cadillac has been one of the better spots but don’t forget about the Causeway. Small jigs tipped with either minnows or spikes are producing the most. Those using electronics find most in 12 foot depths. Towards evening they may be scattered top to bottom. Find the fish first – then fish.
Serious walleye fishermen have been doing well on both lakes. Some are complaining about catching undersized fish. This is not a bad thing. It means good fishing yet to come. Serious Anglers fish a rod with jigging Rapalas or spoons and set a light line tip-up using florocarbon leaders tipped with shinners. Some days all the actions on jigging, the next its on tip-ups. Often those targeting crappie, especially in the evenings, accidentally catch walleyes on tiny panfish jigs. Down sizing may be an option when catching is slow.
Those fishing tip-ups or spearing are happy with the pike. There’s been plenty of action.
We’re shuffled the deck on the Pilgrim Village Spearing Contest. The Dark House guys have been active. The Standing as of January 5 are:
1st Place Fred Miller 34 1/8″ 8.64 lbs.
2nd Place Ed Pascoe 33 1/2″ 7.45 lbs.
3rd Place Matt Kelsey 30 1/2″” 6.83lbs.
4th Place William Beaver 29″ 5.53 lbs.
5th Place Don Hiltz Jr. 28 1/2″ 5.02lbs.
YOUTH DIVISION
1st Place Marcus Jurik 29″ 5.31 lbs.
2nd Place Joey Brooks 27″ 4.32lbs.
OTHER
Dogfish John Brooks 25 1/2″ 6.12lb.
SMELT ANGLERS–You don’t have to wait any longer for you’re favorite fish. Get your 2 gallon containers ready. Dust off your Hali’s. Green Lake has 4 to 8 inches of clear ice. The smelt are biting. At dark both boat launches are filling up. Its the start and good numbers are being caught. Join the fun.
Crystal Lake – We’re told the entire lake is iced over and there’s permanent shanties on it. We’ve never been able to fish Crystal this early. Crystal Lake is the last to freeze and the first to go out.
Enjoying a winter day, Sharon Cnossen landed a 13.6 pound
33″ steelhead fishing the Manistee at Tippy Damn.
Big Glen and Crystal are Froze but are not safe, a few guys are sneaking out in the shallow water but after the next two days of arctic winds and temps if we do not get too much snow they will be safe.
Mullet, black and burt lake have been hammered with snow and people cannot get out as 12 inches of slush and bad ice. They need a thaw!!!!!
Higgins Lake is the same way on the north-end as slush is making the ice not freeze so walking is your only option and it is tough getting out to deep water.
Houghton Lake has a good bite on walleye, pike, and panfish with most driving quads, with some trucks out on the lake(not recommended).
Lake Margrethe is slow but maybe a warm-up will get the fish biting this weekend
Portage Lake has a great bite on pike and perch.
Pentwater Lake has been great for perch and pike.
FISHING CONDITIONS ON LAKES CADILLAC AND MITCHELL
FROM PILGRIM VILLAGE FISHING SHOP
SUNDAY, JANUARY 5, 2014
It isn’t first ice anymore. The cold temperatures and snow make it feel like the winter has been going on for months. The fish don’t know it though. At times the bite has been good.
Crappie, one of the favorites have been cooperating. The Kenwood Park area on Lake Cadillac has been one of the better spots but don’t forget about the Causeway. Small jigs tipped with either minnows or spikes are producing the most. Those using electronics find most in 12 foot depths. Towards evening they may be scattered top to bottom. Find the fish first – then fish.
Serious walleye fishermen have been doing well on both lakes. Some are complaining about catching undersized fish. This is not a bad thing. It means good fishing yet to come. Serious Anglers fish a rod with jigging Rapalas or spoons and set a light line tip-up using florocarbon leaders tipped with shinners. Some days all the actions on jigging, the next its on tip-ups. Often those targeting crappie, especially in the evenings, accidentally catch walleyes on tiny panfish jigs. Down sizing may be an option when catching is slow.
Those fishing tip-ups or spearing are happy with the pike. There’s been plenty of action.
We’re shuffled the deck on the Pilgrim Village Spearing Contest. The Dark House guys have been active. The Standing as of January 5 are:
1st Place Fred Miller 34 1/8″ 8.64 lbs.
2nd Place Ed Pascoe 33 1/2″ 7.45 lbs.
3rd Place Matt Kelsey 30 1/2″” 6.83lbs.
4th Place William Beaver 29″ 5.53 lbs.
5th Place Don Hiltz Jr. 28 1/2″ 5.02lbs.
YOUTH DIVISION
1st Place Marcus Jurik 29″ 5.31 lbs.
2nd Place Joey Brooks 27″ 4.32lbs.
OTHER
Dogfish John Brooks 25 1/2″ 6.12lb.
SMELT ANGLERS–You don’t have to wait any longer for you’re favorite fish. Get your 2 gallon containers ready. Dust off your Hali’s. Green Lake has 4 to 8 inches of clear ice. The smelt are biting. At dark both boat launches are filling up. Its the start and good numbers are being caught. Join the fun.
Crystal Lake – We’re told the entire lake is iced over and there’s permanent shanties on it. We’ve never been able to fish Crystal this early. Crystal Lake is the last to freeze and the first to go out.
Hooked up on Higgins Lake
Fishing Guide Service for Higgins Lake, MI -Ice fishing guide service for Trout, Smelt and White fish. All equipment provided. When on a guided trip you will not only learn the best ways to produce large catches of fish out of Higgins Lake, you will also learn the Lake .
Phone (989) 821-6335
Email bobstockton2@hotmail.com
Ryan J.
From Houghton Lake
Walleye 24 inch walleye 3lb
Caught on South Shore using a chrt swedish pimple jigging with a full blue minnow in the afternoon.
Lymans on the Lake on Houghton Lake IS REPORTING A GOOD BITE OF PERCH, PIKE AND WALLEYE!! The walleye have been biting later at night around 7 to 9pm, pike and perch during the day and with cold weather you need a ice shanty
Lou at Angelo’s Party Store has shanty rentals also on Houghton Lake, check out his website also has beer and wine with food
Dave @ Four Season Party Store has shanties to rent and the walleye bite has been great around his shanties give Dave a call at 989-422-5230