Curly's Photo and Fishing Blog
Tuesday, January 29, 2008
Portage Lake has a great Perch Bite
Portage Lake has been hot this week with perch and many have been jumbos. Call OSBORN’S SPORT SHOP Bear Lake @ 231-889-3775, or Don’s Sporting Goods Manistee 231-723-5028
Monday, January 28, 2008
Fishing Great
Higgins Lake has a great perch right now as many have caught limits this weekend. The smelt have not started or I have not heard any reports yet. They are catching some Lake Trout with greys working great.
Some are getting out on Green but the smelt fishing has been slow.
Houghton Lake has been good for walleye still of the middle grounds and Harvey Marina.
Pike fishing at Lymanville has been great with a 13, 14.5 and a 18 pounder brought into the pike pole. Here a couple of photos
Wixom Lake off the DNR launch has been hot with lots of panfish being caught.
Lake St. Helen has been good this weekend for panfish, pike and walleye.
Wiggins and Pratt lake have been hot in Gladwin county with some success at Secord Lake also.
FISHING CONDITIONS ON LAKES CADILLAC AND MITCHELL
FROM PILGRIM VILLAGE FISHING SHOP
Current Ice Conditions are 10 to 12 inches of ice, heavy snow and slush is building up in some places. Bring your gas auger or you won’t cut many holes.
The warmer weekend helped fishing. Some found the missing crappies and gills that we lost during the previous cold spell. It appears they’ve moved in shallower to 7-8 foot depths, and late afternoons to darks has been best. The cause way and high school area on Cadillac started again. A few also caught some decent perch in 20 foot depths on Cadillac. We’re so used to catching those skinny 4 or 5 inch that this is good news.
As is normal, see all the pike pictures from this week. Lakes Cadillac and Mitchell have been good to the tip-up and spear fishermen. Pike aren’t age or gender conscious.
Tim Haysmer, known for big pike, speared this years first 40 inch, 17 pounder from Lake Cadillac, that we’re aware of. Earlier in the season he caught a 38 inch on a tip-up. He’s the one to beat in our contest. Bill Beaver is close with a 38 ½ inch, 13.6 pounder, speared over his lucky homemade decoy.
Friday, January 25, 2008
Big Glenn has Ice
Big Glenn is froze over with 2 to 4 inches of ice with man y going out tomorrow to give the perch a try.
Also Crystal Lake is Froze over with many planning on trying the perch grounds this weekend out from Beluah, the deep lake trout water has some open spots still.
Thursday, January 24, 2008
Weird Weather has Weird ice conditions
The ice conditions vary as snow has screwed up the ice and in the middle of the state they got hammered and ice conditions are iffy with heavy snow.Higgins Lake has Locked up with the south-end reporting 6 inches of ice. It was 11 below in Grayling this morning but 10 above when I left Traverse City but we were getting lake effect snow.
Some anglers are going off the West Access Site tonight for Smelt. Call Phoenix Park Party Store 989-821-7220 or Higgins Lake Sport 231-821-9517 for the West side. Sport Barn 989-821-9511 for the south-end of Higgins Lake .
Green Lake is froze over, they are vernturing out but all the snow we had has made it weird with slush and two layers of ice.
Anglers heading out onto Houghton Lake for the second weekend of the 57th annual Tip Up Town celebration are finding fair to good pike and walleye action and good ice. The best areas to try and catch walleye are along the north shore, on the east bay or by the middle grounds.
Little Bay De Noc - Ice conditions are improving but the north end of the bay still has the best ice. The waters off Escanaba have frozen over but this is new ice which is always dangerous ice. Travel on most of the ice is good but drifting snow has caused some problems for those on quads. Severe cold over the last week has limited angler participation. A few walleye were taken off Hunters Point when jigging 3 inch minnows in 14 feet of water. The better catches came in shallow waters 6 to 14 feet deep in the early morning. Perch action off Butler Island has been good but the fish were small. Several nice perch were caught in front of the Terrace Bay Inn when using spikes in 25 feet of water. Good northern pike action straight out from Bach’s Cabins when using large minnows. Several were keepers but many were undersize.
Otsego Lake by Gaylord reports slow going this week but bigger perch being caught. They have the sturgeon shanties back out and are seeing a few with a 42 incher caught and released as they have to be 50 inches..The ice is holding up on Burt, Crooked and Pickerel lakes near Alanson, where the perch, pike and walleye action is good.
By Alpena, the ice held up through the warm spell earlier in the week on Grand and Long lakes. Anglers using minnows as bait are catching good numbers of perch and walleye. Anglers on Fletcher Pond are catching a few crappie and pike. Fletcher Floodwater is still good for pike but the panfish has been slow.
Out of the Boyne City area, the perch, pike and walleye action on Walloon Lake is fair to good. Anglers on Deer Lake are catching a few bluegill. Both waxworms and wigglers are being used as bait. Thumb Lake is producing fair splake fishing.
Around Manistique, Indian Lake have good ice with snow making things tough going
Long Lake by Traverse and Lake Leelanau have good reports of walleye this week ice is ok once you get past shoreline and the ice is real good out in the middle.
In the Kalkaska area, the perch fishing is good on Lake Skegemog. Crappie and walleye fishing is slow on Manistee Lake. Anglers on Fife Lake are pulling a few perch and walleye through the ice. We still have safe ice but be careful .
Gladwin Counties got hammered by snow with thin ice so it will take a couple of days for it to gt better
Burt, Crooked and Pickerel lakes near Alanson are all producing fair perch and walleye action. The ice is in good shape on both Crooked and Pickerel lakes, there is some shaky ice on Burt Lake.
Houghton Lake has a good bite with walleye out at the middle grounds.. Lymanville has good ice around his shanty, pike have been biting very good
Lake Missaukee - Ice fishing is on and anglers are catching panfish off of Green Rd, Most are the size of your hand or 7 to 8 inches but limit catches. Ice is still good
Hamlin Lake is good with lots going out to try their luck
Spider Lake - Anglers are ice fishing for panfish.
Fife Lake - They have shanties out to the hole by the island and are catching fish this week.
The ice is holding up on Burt, Crooked and Pickerel lakes near Alanson, where the perch, pike and walleye action is good. Mullet Lake has opened up.
Out of the Boyne City area, the perch, pike and walleye action on Walloon Lake is fair to good. Anglers on Deer Lake are catching a few bluegill. Both waxworms and wigglers are being used as bait. Thumb Lake is producing fair splake fishing.
Little Glen Lake - Slow this week, but a great perch bite on Loon Lake the last two weeks, but it seems to be winding down this week. Have not heard if Big Glenn is froze.
Wednesday, January 23, 2008
Female Hooded Merganser
Shot this photo today as a Female Hooded Merganser that showed up in the pond
Tuesday, January 22, 2008
Green Lake Unsafe
The reports I got about Green Lake today was ice is bad with two bad layers of ice with slush so they turned back before they reached the smelt grounds.
Photo of mallards was taken today in my pond
Monday, January 21, 2008
Higgins Lake is Froze Over
Higgins Lake has a couple of open spots off the North State Park, but off the West Access it looking good. Some are going out tonight for smelt and hope to have good results. They are catching rainbows in the shallow water off the west access site and in front of Big Creek. It will be good by the weekend for perch and smelt fishing.
Call Phoenix Park Party Store 989-821-7220 or Higgins Lake Sport 231-821-9517 and they have their ear to the ice.
Sunday, January 20, 2008
Higgins and Green Lake Lock Up
Higgins and Green Lake have locked up and now we hope the snow tails off to let the ice form so we can be smelt fishing this weekend. The wind has been a factor as it keeping some spots open. Shorelines are healing and when the weather moderates many will be out.
Tip Up Town had lots of snowmobilers, with very few fisherman as the weather was just to bad.
FISHING CONDITIONS ON LAKES CADILLAC AND MITCHELL
FROM PILGRIM VILLAGE FISHING SHOP
This weekend separated the men from the boys, women from the girls. Extreme cold and wind kept holes frozen. Hope you caught fish it you were out because you deserved them.
The soft shore lines on Cadillac and Mitchell have or are tightening, making any area of the lakes accessible. Snowmobiles and quads are back on the lakes.
Skiers and snowmobilers are very happy. The trails are in excellent shape. The cold has not stopped them.
The minus wind chill temperatures have helped the ice but the fisherman are not enjoying it. The weekend was slow. The storm affected the panfish more than the pike. Nothing bothers them.
We were able to photograph equal numbers of 30 inch class pike from both Cadillac and Mitchell lakes. Earlier Cadillac was best. Lately either lake has been good.
Saturday, January 19, 2008
Sanford Lake Muskie
Justin Wood caught this huge muskie out of Sanford Lake on 1/2/08. It weighted 42 pounds and was 48 inches long. Nice fish Justin
Friday, January 18, 2008
Chickadee and Waxworm
Thursday, January 17, 2008
Tip Up Town Fishing Report
Anglers heading out onto Houghton Lake for the first weekend of the 57th annual Tip Up Town celebration are finding fair to good pike and walleye action. The best areas to try and catch walleye are along the north shore, on the east bay or by the middle grounds.
Little Bay De Noc - Warm temperatures and rain from last week caused the ice to break up in some areas, but colder weather is once again firming the ice back up. The better ice can be found north of the Narrows at the head of the Bay but caution still needs to be used especially in the Saunders Point area and along the breaks. Avoid the area around Escanaba because of all the open water. Those fishing out from the Terrace Bay Inn reported unsafe ice. Walleye have been caught but many were on the small side. The best reports were coming from 30 to 40 feet of water near Kipling. Perch fishing slowed except for the all the small fish taken around Butler Island. A few big ones were caught when jigging spikes straight out of Kipling in 23 feet of water. Anglers have marked good numbers of perch and walleye throughout the bay, but the bite has been slow. Those spearing pike around the Escanaba Yacht Club need to use caution..
Otsego Lake by Gaylord reports a good walleye bite also with some perch being caught. They took the shanties off of Otsego Lake so no Sturgeon Fishing.The ice is holding up on Burt, Crooked and Pickerel lakes near Alanson, where the perch, pike and walleye action is good.
By Alpena, the ice held up through the warm spell earlier in the week on Grand and Long lakes. Anglers using minnows as bait are catching good numbers of perch and walleye. Anglers on Fletcher Pond are catching a few crappie and pike.
Out of the Boyne City area, the perch, pike and walleye action on Walloon Lake is fair to good. Anglers on Deer Lake are catching a few bluegill. Both waxworms and wigglers are being used as bait. Thumb Lake is producing fair splake fishing.
Around Manistique, Indian Lake was covered with water earlier in the week due to all the melting snow. The anglers who are wandering out on the lake are catching a few perch.
Green Lake the ice is still out with just some shore ice.
Ice conditions in much of the Lower Peninsula have deteriorated but anglers in the Upper Peninsula are ice fishing. Warm temperatures have increased the steelhead action in many of the rivers however anglers will need to use caution because of the high water levels.
Long Lake by Traverse and Lake Leelanau have good reports of walleye this week ice is ok once you get past shore
Higgins Lake north-end is still wide open, but the south-end was iced over today.
In the Kalkaska area, the perch fishing is good on Lake Skegemog. Crappie and walleye fishing is slow on Manistee Lake. Anglers on Fife Lake are pulling a few perch and walleye through the ice. We still have safe ice but be careful .
I’m hearing most are staying off the ice around Gladwin, and Harrison. Wiggins Lake ,Sugar Spring is good for pike and bluegill, also Secord Lake reports a good crappie and pike bite. but be careful of changing ice conditions.
Burt, Crooked and Pickerel lakes near Alanson are all producing fair perch and walleye action. The ice is in good shape on both Crooked and Pickerel lakes, there is some shaky ice on Burt Lake.
Houghton Lake has a good bite with walleye out at the middle grounds.. Lymanville has good ice around his shanty, pike have been biting very good
Lake Missaukee - Ice fishing is on and anglers are catching panfish off of Green Rd, Most are the size of your hand or 7 to 8 inches but limit catches. Ice is still good
Hamlin Lake near Ludington they have planks out to get out on the ice.
Spider Lake - Anglers are ice fishing for panfish.
Fife Lake - They have shanties out to the hole by the island and are catching fish this week.
The ice is holding up on Burt, Crooked and Pickerel lakes near Alanson, where the perch, pike and walleye action is good. Mullet Lake has opened up.
Out of the Boyne City area, the perch, pike and walleye action on Walloon Lake is fair to good. Anglers on Deer Lake are catching a few bluegill. Both waxworms and wigglers are being used as bait. Thumb Lake is producing fair splake fishing.
Little Glen Lake - Slow this week, but a great perch bite on Loon Lake the last two weeks, but it seems to be winding down this week. The ice on Loon Lake is bad with Little Glen ice is OK
Upper Peninsula:
Lake Gogebic is producing fair perch and walleye fishing. The walleye are hitting on sucker minnows hooked to the end of a tip-up. The perch prefer shiner minnows as bait.
Out of the Marquette area, fishing activity is spotty on most lakes, the exception being Sporley Lake where the splake action is fair.
In the Gladstone area, the walleye fishing is fair on the north end of Little Bay de Noc. Most of the fish being caught are hitting on jigs.
By Manistique, the perch and walleye fishing ranges from fair to good on Indian Lake. Early mornings or late afternoons are the best times to be out.
On Munuscong Bay, the perch, pike and walleye action is fair. Ice conditions are a little shaky, due to the recent warm spell.
Anglers out of Cedarville are pulling a few perch up through the ice by the Les Cheneaux Islands.
And at St. Ignace, the panfish and walleye action on Brevort Lake is fair. The ice on the lake held up well through the January thaw last week.
Northwest:
Burt, Crooked and Pickerel lakes near Alanson are all producing fair perch and walleye action. The ice is in good shape on both Crooked and Pickerel lakes, there is some shaky ice on Burt Lake.
Poor shore ice conditions on the lakes around Boyne City has slowed fishing activity in the area.
In the Traverse City area, anglers along the Boardman River are catching a few steelhead. The panfish and perch action is spotty on Glen Lake.
Out of the Frankfort region, the steelhead fishing is fair on the Betsie River. Both spawn and waxworms are being used as bait. Anglers fishing in boats on Crystal and Loon lakes, are catching a few perch.
By Kalkaska, the perch fishing is good on Lake Skegemog. Good numbers of perch and pike are being caught by anglers on Manistee Lake. The walleye fishing is fair on Fife Lake.
Around Gaylord, the pike and walleye fishing is fair on Otsego Lake. Anglers need to be very careful on the ice.
And at Cadillac, the ice conditions vary on lakes Cadillac and Mitchell. There are several areas where the shore ice is in poor shape. Anglers who find a safe path to walk out on the ice will find the pike fishing is very good on both lakes.
West:
Around Ludington, the steelhead fishing is fair off the breakwall on Lake Michigan. Spawn bags are being used as bait. Anglers on the upper end of Hamlin Lake are catching a few bluegill. However, anglers need to be extremely careful on the ice following last weeks warm weather.
Out of the Muskegon area, anglers in boats on Muskegon Lake are catching good numbers of perch. Both minnows and spikes are working well as bait. The pike and walleye fishing on the lake is fair. Again, anglers are fishing from boats. Evenings are the best time to be out for the walleye. The best area to cast a line in the water for the northerns is on the east end of the lake. The steelhead action is fair on the lower end of the Muskegon River and off the pier on Lake Michigan.
On Chippewa Lake, fishing is slow this week due to the poor shore ice conditions created by last weeks warm weather.
And at Baldwin, fishing activity is at a standstill with no safe ice found on the local lakes.
Southwest:
In the Holland area, fishing activity is at a standstill with no safe ice on the local lakes. By Benton Harbor, fishing activity is slow this week due to all the rain and snow melt from last week that has raised the water levels in the St. Joseph River.
Out of the New Buffalo area, there are some steelhead in the Galien River, but very few people have been out.
Around Kalamazoo, fishing activity is pretty slow. Earlier in the week, some anglers launched their boats in Austin Lake and were catching a few perch. Anglers in boats on Fish Lake reeled in fair numbers of bluegill. The steelhead action on the Kalamazoo River, below the Allegan Dam is fair. The steelies are hitting on Hot-N-Tots, with gold, black and copper being the hot colors.
And at Three Rivers, fishing activity has been slow with no ice on the local lakes. A few anglers dropped boats into some of the lakes at the beginning of the week, but this weekends arctic blast of air will put a stop to any more boats being launched.
Northeast:
Around Alpena, the ice covering Grand and Long lakes weathered last weeks warm spell, and anglers on the lakes are catching a few perch and walleye. Anglers need to be careful on the lakes, especially near the open water on the lakes.
Out of the Grayling area, the walleye fishing ranges from slow to fair on Lake Margrethe. The marble eyes are hitting on various jigs tipped with a minnow. The best fishing is found in water 12 to 20 feet deep.
In the Oscoda area, Van Etten Lake is producing good perch and pike fishing. The bluegill and walleye fishing on the lake is fair. Anglers along the Au Sable River are catching a few steelhead. The perch, pike and walleye action is fair on Foote Dam Pond. Anglers on Cooke Dam Pond are pulling up a few bluegill and perch through the ice.
Fishing activity this week is slow on Higgins Lake, which still has plenty of open water and very little ice cover.
Anglers heading out onto Houghton Lake for the first weekend of the 57th annual Tip Up Town celebration are finding fair to good pike and walleye action. The best areas to try and catch walleye are along the north shore, on the east bay or by the middle grounds.
And at Au Gres, anglers are catching a few bluegill and crappie in the cuts along Saginaw Bay. Ice conditions are very poor in the area.
East:
By Linwood, anglers are catching a few perch along the cuts and rivers off Saginaw Bay.
Around Bay City, the perch fishing is good on the Quanicassee River. The river is open, and anglers are casting lines in from shore. A couple of people launched boats into the Saginaw River to go walleye fishing.
Wednesday, January 16, 2008
Tip Up Town USA
The 58th Annual Tip-Up Town USA®
Whatever the weather, TUT will be fun, fun, fun all the way. There will be all the usual popular attractions - the carnival, parade, Polar Bear Dip, Family Fun Tent, Beverage Tent, crazy games and more! Plus, the Ice Fishing contests will be bigger and better than ever and we’re adding Broomball this year! And it’s still all for the great value of $5 for a TUT badge!
Lyman Foster, owner of Lyman’s on the Lake, and a Board Member of the Houghton Lake Chamber of Commerce explains why ice fishing is so popular: “Being relatively shallow, Houghton Lake freezes quickly and it’s not unusual to have 12” or more of solid ice covering the lake by the time Tip-Up Town rolls around. There is a great variety of fish in the lake – Northern Pike, Walleye, Perch, Crappie, Bluegill – something for all fishermen, young and old. And the festival got its name from the equipment that Ice Fishermen like to use while enjoying the sport – Tip Ups! In fact, Houghton Lake grows into a bigger town in the winter, thanks to all the shanties parked out on the ice.”
And what do you get when you put together great fishing conditions and Tip-Up Town? Well, for one thing you get the TUT Ice Fishing Contests, for adults and children. Ivan Bassett, volunteer organizer of the TUT Ice Fishing Contest explains: “This year, there will be cash prizes in both the individual and largest catch categories for adults. Plus, for every entry into the contest, you get a chance to win $100 in the grand draw, held once each weekend. Each of the six individual catch classes (Northern Pike, Walleye, Perch, Crappie, Rock Bass and Bluegill/Sunfish) offers a $25 first prize for the largest fish brought in by 1:00 on both Sundays. It’s great fun to stand and watch the official ‘fish board’ as the fish start to come in and you wonder which fish will be the winner. Or, if quantity, is more your style, plan on entering the largest catch contest, with two categories – Walleye/Northern Pike or the Pan Fish combo class with $50 first prizes.”
The younger fishermen (14 and under) get a chance to compete too in their own contest run both Saturdays. There are prizes for the largest catch in the same individual classes as the main fishing contest.
All that is required for entry into either fishing contests is a 2008 Tip-Up Town USA badge, still great value at $5.
And, if that isn’t enough, watch out for Wally and his friends and you could be fishing for big dollars. In fact, if you go fishing on Houghton Lake, Higgins Lake, or Lake St Helen any time between now and March 15th and are skilful enough to pull out one of the 19 specially tagged fish (including Walleye, Blue Gill, Pike, Bass, Crappie or Perch) you will get a chance to win $25,000 and a minimum of $1,000 at the grand draw on April 1st, 2008. (At the time of writing, only one tagged fish has been caught).
What’s New
Broom Ball – yes, this popular sport will ‘sweep you away’; TUT Tailgate party - come down to the Entertainment Tent on both Fridays from 6:00-10:00pm and toast TUT in style! Plus, we’ve extended the Entertainment Tent hours on both Saturdays. Both tents will now be open from 10:00am to 6:00pm; Ice Fishing for Kids.
What’s Familiar
Ice Fishing contest – join an army of fishermen (and women) out on the ice vying for first place
Carnival – how many places can you look over a frozen lake from the top of a Ferris Wheel in freezing temperatures?
Polar Bear Dip – yes, you too, can strip down to the bare essentials and jump into the freezing cold water!
Ice Slide – it’s fast, it’s slippery, it’s cold, it’s great fun
Winter Parade – get creative, get building and get on parade!
Family Fun Tent – the most family entertainment you can get under canvas
Entertainment Tent – adult entertainment day and night
Horseshoes and Red Neck horseshoes – how far can you throw a toilet seat
Games galore – whether you prefer pie eating, bubble gum blowing or tire rolling, check out the stage and join in the fun
Turkey and Chicken Bowling
Tug-O-War – on your marks, get set, pull, slide, pull!
Prize Wheel – match your numbers and spin to win!
Plus ice sculptures, the medallion hunts, lots of fun food, ice and wood carving demonstrations, antique snowmobiles and much much more!
Tuesday, January 15, 2008
Woodpecker Photo
Monday, January 14, 2008
Lakes Need Time to Heal
We need cold weather to heal the lakes back up as most shore ice is bad and walking is the only way to fish. South of M-55 it goes downhill fast if the is any current in a lake like many in the Gladwin and Midland area. Lakes with no current have good ice but the shoreline is bad.
Houghton Lake, Lake City, Cadillac, Skegemog and Lake Margrethe have action but the shore ice is bad. Lymanville om Houghton Lake will let you walk out but no vehicles are allowed out as the pressure crack is bad
Sunday, January 13, 2008
Fishing Pressure is Slow
Not many fishing in Northern Michigan as most are waiting for colder weather to start fishing again. The snowstorm friday help make the ice work. Also the shoreline has got bad with planks being used to get to the ice.
Around Traverse City they have went out on east bay in boats off of Dock Road catching perch, but ice fishing there were very few takers.
Houghton Lake, Cadillac and Lake Missaukee had quite a few fisherman this week along with many going out on Lake Margrethe.
FISHING CONDITIONS ON LAKES CADILLAC AND MITCHELL
FROM PILGRIM VILLAGE FISHING SHOP
The recent snow has not been good for the ice. Thickness varies from 4 to 6 inches of clear ice. In some places the shore line has opened making it difficult to get on.
Lake Cadillac is still accessible in most of the popular places; east boat launch, Kenwood Park, etc. You must watch for old holes, hidden by the snow.
The shoreline in the Big Cove on Mitchell is open, making it difficult to get on by the Scout camp. Currently it is not worth the effort.
Watch out on Mitchell’s Small Cove. An expansion crack has opened and runs from point to point. Don’t be fooled by the boards to cross it. Both sides are soft.
The best ice on Mitchell is the east shore behind the State Park. No shore problem and 5-6 inches of ice.
Many places anglers are reluctant to go yet snowmobilers often cross both lakes. Who is smarter? It’s prudent to use your spud and check your way wherever you go.
Cold temperatures are forecasted for this week so the lakes will tighten. Remember in Michigan conditions change daily.
This past week the majority of big pike came from Lake Mitchell. We knew it would wake up. Most pictures are of 30 inch plus, healthy pike.
Most spear shacks were pulled to the shore line after last week’s rain. Only a few have returned and there has been no change from last weeks standing on our spear contest.