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.