Curly's Photo and Fishing Blog
Friday, May 30, 2008
Black Back Woodpecker
Here a photo I took on the Baraga Plains Burn in The UP
Thursday, May 29, 2008
Mancelona Bass Festival Fishing Report
The 53rd Annual Mancelona Bass Festival is scheduled for May 28-June 1, 2008
http://www.mancelonabassfest.org
Little Bay De Noc - Most anglers are after walleye but those catching bass are doing well with good catches reported off Garth Point in 8 to 13 feet of water when casting crank baits or plastics. Those fishing near the mouth of the Ford River are drifting or jigging tube baits in 6 to 14 feet of water. Walleye fishing slowed but there were several reports of large fish being caught off the Center Reef. Most are drifting crawler harnesses with bottom bouncers in 18 to 20 feet of water.
Big Bay De Noc - Smallmouth action was hot with many anglers taking limits. Some fish were on the beds but most were caught in 8 to 12 feet of water when casting spinners, crank baits and tubes in South River Bay, Puffy Bay, outside Martins Bay and off Porcupine Point. A good number of fish were in the 16 to 18 inch range. Walleye fishing was fair for those trolling crawlers in 12 to 18 feet of water just north of Kate’s Bay.
Manistique had a great opener, with Indian Lake, Manistique Lake, and Curtis Area all reporting good bite last week. The St Marys River should be good also for walleye, pike and huge muskies
Cooler temperatures, rain and strong winds have been keeping fishing activity at bay across a good part of the state.
Around Grayling, The walleye are biting on Lake Margrethe with Pike fishing sporadic on inland lakes and river fishing is fair to good with live bait, Hendrickson??s, and flies.
Hamlin Lake - The crappie are moving out of the shallows. Some nice bluegills were caught near the drop-offs on the North Arm and walleye off Pete’s Bayou. The Bayou’s are starting to heat up and produce a good mix of panfish. Bullhead and panfish were caught at Victory Park. Largemouth bass fishing has been very good.fter dark. Bass anglers are finding beds off the points on the main lake.
Lake Charlevoix - Had good perch fishing on the northwest side of the lake when you can find a school of fish and stay with it. The fish are getting ready to disperse and spawn but some nice catches are still coming in on minnows or wigglers.
Skegemog Lake - Smallmouth bass were being targeted in the southern portions of the lake near the marshy area, around the Torch River and the public access site. Try 5 to 15 feet of water with tube baits, crank baits, jigs, spinners, wax worms or crawlers. Muskie anglers are trolling the Elk-Skegemog narrows, near the Torch River and in the south end of the lake near the marsh. Pike were also caught.
Big Glen Lake - Some nice rainbow trout were caught on silver rapalas or wigglers around the rocky shallows. Perch are still hitting on wigglers. The bass opener was good with some nice fish caught.
Long Lake - The walleye are hitting on crawler harnesses after dark. Also Lake Leelanau has reported in with a good walleye bite
Portage Lake - The bass opener was very productive with excellent numbers of both large and smallmouth caught. Pike were also caught. Walleye are starting to bite during the day.
Muskegon Lake - Perch have been caught in 20 to 30 feet of water. The northern pike action has been good. Crappie and bluegills can be found in waters 10 to 15 feet or deeper. Both the large and smallmouth bass fishing has been good. Some nice fish have been caught and released.
Whitehall - Has good walleye fishing off the pier. Most anglers are picking their spots before dark and fishing most of the night. A few salmon have been caught when trolling. The lake trout were found in shallow waters.
East & West Twin Lakes by Lewiston - Water temperatures are still a bit cold and because of it, only a couple walleye were caught when jigging with minnows, crawlers and leeches or trolling with crawler harnesses.
Houghton Lake - Bluegills are starting to move into the shallows, Also great walleye fishing this week, but many are short.
Tittabawassee River - The lower river continues to produce very good walleye fishing around the Center Road access site. A lot of smallmouth bass have been caught and released and a lot of white bass have been caught.
FISHING REPORT
Upper Peninsula:
In the Escanaba area, the weather is finally warming up and fishing activity is also on the rise. Walleye action is good on Little Bay DeNoc. Perch is decent around Gladstone when using wigglers and worms. Bass are biting at a good rate on crawlers and leeches.
In the Manistique area, rather slow fishing taking place for walleye and perch on Indian Lake. Anglers are getting the best results with golden shiners and leeches.
Around the Sault Ste. Marie area, the water is very cold and activity has slowed. Brimley is good for walleye on crawler harnesses, and Lake George and Munuscong Bay are also giving up decent walleye. White fish are doing well in the upper river on wax worms and tear drops.
Drummond Island around Scotts Bay is decent for walleye, pike and bass. A variety of spoons and chubs are working well.
Brevort Lake in St. Ignace is offering up good catches of walleye, small mouth bass and pike. Huge fishing tournament takes place this weekend, big prizes available, call Kurt at 906-643-7979 or Jim at 906-643-6743 for details.
Northwest:
Alanson anglers are doing fair for walleye and perch on Burt and Crooked lakes. Leeches and trolling with body baits work well.
Bass are biting in Boyne City. Lake Charlevoix is giving up good size bass in the 4-5 pound range. Walleye are in the deeper waters, 20-30 feet near the south arm. A variety of baits are being used that include plastics, shad wraps, golden shiners, suckers green crawlers and leeches.
Frankfort area anglers are hitting good numbers of silver and rock bass on Crystal Lake with crawlers and imitation baits, as well as crank baits. Perch action is slow and on the lower end of Portage Lake the walleye are active.
In the Manistee area, blue gill can be found along the shoreline. Out on the Lake in 130 feet of water and fishing in the top 50, salmon and lake trout action is good. On Manistee Lake the bass action is really good.
In the Kalkaska area, bass are starting to spawn on Skegemog Lake. Blue gill are bedding on all inland lakes, and anglers are using tear drops and beetle spins with good results.
Gaylord anglers are doing well on the Pigeon, Sturgeon and AuSable river systems for trout. Bass action is great on all of the lakes using jigs and crawler harnesses and blue gill are starting to bed.
In the Cadillac area, fishing is great for crappie, walleye, pike and bass basically all over Cadillac and Mitchell lakes. Best baits include spinners, crawlers, minnows and live bait.
West:
In the Ludington area, walleye action remains good on Hamlin Lake when anglers use body baits. A good location for crappie is at the upper end of the Lake. Lake Michigan is decent for kings and trout particularly in and around the piers. Any color spoon seems to do the trick.
In the Muskegon area, blue gill and crappie fishing is slow due to cold water. Bass, large and small are biting in good numbers on Muskegon Lake. Lake Michigan is good for perch in 60-80 feet of water and spoons, flashers and flies are working well. Salmon are also hitting in 100-200 feet top to bottom on crank and stick baits.
Walleye and browns are biting near the pier after dark. Lake Michigan and Muskegon Lake are providing good fishing for lake trout just about all over and browns near the shoreline.
Southwest:
In the Holland area, salmon are biting in 160-180 feet of water in the top 60 feet. Green and blue spoons and dodgers and flies are working very well. Blue gill and crappie action has slowed this week. Lake Macatawa is giving up good numbers of walleye.
In the Benton Harbor area, some really good fishing is taking place. Salmon are biting on any type of spoon in the deeper waters, 160 feet or so. Night crawlers are working well on walleye on the St. Joe River.
Around Kalamazoo, anglers are doing well on the Kalamazoo River for small mouth bass and walleye. Austin Lake is producing good perch and bass are really moving on Gull Lake. Lake Michigan is giving up good quantities of bass in 120 feet of water.
Northeast:
Oscoda anglers are finding good luck using crawlers and minnows just below the Cooke and Foote Dam ponds for pike, blue gill and crappie. The AuSable River continues to produce decent catches of walleye and some steelhead.
In the Grayling area, bass are bedding on Lake Margrethe as well as many inland lakes. Lake Margrethe is also providing fair catches of walleye in 17 feet of water. River fishing is good for trout on nymph spinners and little Joes tipped with live bait. Blue gill are hiding out in 5-8 feet of water.
On Houghton Lake anglers will find good fishing for walleye, pike, blue gill, and good size perch. The bass season is also off to a very good start. Leeches, leaf worms and large walleye minnows are all working well.
Higgins Lake is giving up good rock bass as well as small mouth bass on crawlers and leeches. The best locations are around the points and south of Sunken Island. Perch are slow due to the 48 degree water temperature.
East:
Near the Linwood area and all the way to AuGres the walleye activity is good, especially near the shoreline of the Saginaw Bay. Anglers are fishing in 6-15 feet of water and using crawler harnesses for good results. The AuSable River continues to give up decent steelhead on spawn and wax worms. The kings and Coho are plentiful on Lake Huron near Port Sanilac.
Wednesday, May 28, 2008
Mancelona Bass Festival
The 53rd Annual Mancelona Bass Festival is scheduled for May 28-June 1, 2008
http://www.mancelonabassfest.org
Mancelona Bass Festival fishing contest
The 2008 festival will utilize a Catch, Photo, & Release (CPR) format for
the fishing contest. This will maintain the tradition of a fishing contest
and keep in line with current Department of Natural Resources rules and
regulations.
Participants will be required to purchase an official contest measuring
stick ($1) at Mancelona Sports before taking to the water. These will be
available at the start of normal business hours on Thursday, May 29.
1. All participants must follow Michigan fishing rules and regulations.
2. The contest will run from May 29-May 31, during regular business hours
of Mancelona Sports.
3. An official contest measuring stick must be purchased before taking to
the water. These can be shared.
4. Participants can fish on any body of water.
5. Two photos are required. The minimum size of each photo is 4? x 6?.
a. Photo 1 must be of the angler and the live fish, with the body of
water it was caught visible in the background. If fishing alone,
the angler must still get a photo of the live fish with water
visible in the background.
b. Photo 2 must be of the live fish being measured with the official
measuring stick behind it.
6. Length will be based on distance from closed mouth to pinched tail.
7. Measure to the nearest quarter inch.
8. All photos must be submitted to Mancelona Sports by the close of
regular business hours on Saturday, May 31.
9. Along with the photos, participants must complete and sign a fish
registration form.
10. The final placing may result in a tie.
a. Ties will be broken by date/time of fish registration. When two
or more fish of the same length are entered, the one registered
first places highest.
b. The decision of the judges is final.
11. All registered fish automatically enter that participant in the door
prize drawing.
12. Only one fish can be registered per participant.
13. The winners, top five places, will be posted by 10:00am on Sunday,
June 1, at Mancelona Sports and on the official Mancelona Bass
Festival web site (http://www.mancelonabassfest.org).
14. Winners, top five places and door prizes (20+), can collect their
prizes during regular business hours starting on Sunday, June 1 and
ending on Sunday, June 8.
Events
Wednesday, May 28
Community in Schools Kid’s Night
Mancelona Middle School Parking Lot
5:00 PM
Kid & Pet Parade - by Allied EMS, led by Mancelona Middle School Band
Line-up and judging at 6:00 PM
6:30 PM
Middle School Mural Dedication & Mancelona Schools Art Show Middle School Lobby 5:00-6:30 PM
Thursday, May 29th
Bass Fishing Tournament - starts **SEE NEW RULES** Must visit Mancelona Sports before fishing.
Mancelona Sports
Carnival Palmer Park Starts in the Evening
Kids Activities - face painting, balloons, & train ride Pavilion 4:00 - 5:00 PM
Mancelona Idol Contest
Tent
5:30-?PM
Banana Split Eating Contest - pre-registration required
Dairy Queen
6:30 PM
Friday, May 30th
Bass Fishing Tournament - continues
Carnival Palmer Park
Little League Baseball Palmer Park
Mancelona Idol Contest Semi-Finals Tent 4:45 - 6:45 PM
Mancelona High School Drum Line Stage Area 6:30 - 7:00 PM
Barbara Jean - Ventriloquist
Tent
7:00 - 8:00 PM
Eventide Band
Tent
8:30 - 11:00 PM
Teen Dance - Rusch DJ Outdoor Stage 8:00 - 11:00 PM
Saturday, May 31st Bass Fishing Tournament - final day Mancelona Sports Close of Business
Little League Baseball
Carnival Palmer Park
Chicken BBQ Pavilion 12:00 - 4:00 PM
Grand Parade - by Mancelona Rotary State Street Noon
Strolling Juggler
Park & Carnival 1:00 - 7:00 PM
Last Moment - from Living Word North Stage 1:30 - 2:30 PM
N.M.G.M.A. - Will be bringing 4 different music groups performing a variety of music including Country, Gospel and Oldies
Tent
1:30 - 5:00 PM
Puppet Show - Antrim Church of Christ Stage 2:30 - 3:30 PM
Cash Raffle Drawing Pavilion 4:00 PM
Mancelona Idol Contest Finals
Tent
5:30 - 7:00 PM
Remix Band Tent 8:00 - 11:00 PM
Sunday, June 1st Carnival - last day Palmer Park
5km run/walk - registraion available now in forms link, or register at 8 AM on day of event. Palmer Park 9:00 AM
Little League Baseball Palmer Park
Cooking Contest Pavilion 1:00 - 3:00 PM
Magic Show Tent 12:00 - 1:00 PM & 1:30 - 2:30 PM
Kids Games: Greased Pig, Egg Toss, 3-Leg Race, Sawdust Search Park Area 2:30 - 4:00 PM
Dueling Pianos/Music/Comedy Tent 3:00 - 6:00 PM
Prize Raffle Drawing Pavilion 4:00 PM
Horse Pulling Contest
Tuesday, May 27, 2008
Good Holiday Weekend
Most business reported a fair weekend, as most were looking for the worst with 4 dollar or higher gas prices. So most were happy with the weekend and hope the weather gets warm so people can enjoy Northern Michigan. Most realize it will be a tough summer as Michigan is in a bad recession, with many out of work, and days wages just for gas if you have a job or many are leaving the state for work.
People did show up and had a nice weekend with fish biting in most of the lakes.
Now we have a cold front moving though with frost tonight, thanks god it happened on Tuesday instead of this weekend.
Most lakes are still very cold and fish are confused when to spawn so it might be a poor year for a good hatch of game fish and forage base.
Thursday, May 22, 2008
Bass Opener Fishing Report in Northern Michigan
Nice weather is coming for a great holiday and bass season opens. Get the rods and reels ready, the upcoming holiday weekend is looking great for angling activity. Bass season opens on Saturday in many areas of the state and is expected to be phenomenal.
Little Bay De Noc - Reported fair walleye fishing with most fish caught at the head of the bay. Fish were taken when trolling or drifting crawlers in 6 to 13 feet of water off Garth Point. Those fishing the Narrows drifted and jigged in 18 to 33 feet of water.
Escanaba River - Had good fishing when trolling or drifting crawlers from the Hwy-41 Bridge down to the mouth with several large fish reported. Water temperatures varied between 40 and 60 degrees because of the cold nights. Perch were caught in the Narrows when jigging worms in 18 to 33 feet of water.
Big Bay De Noc - Had a better walleye opener with lots of large walleye and some smaller ones mixed in. Those fishing off Ogontz reported good to excellent catches when trolling crawlers in 6 to 8 feet of water. Walleye were caught from Valentines Creek to Porcupine Point when trolling crawlers in 7 to 10 feet of water.
Manistique had a great opener, with Indian Lake, Manistique Lake, and Curtis Area all reporting good bite last week. The St Marys River should be good also for walleye, pike and huge muskies
Cooler temperatures, rain and strong winds have been keeping fishing activity at bay across a good part of the state.
Around Grayling, the local bait shop predicts that the bass opener this Saturday will be phenomenal. Bass are already starting to bed as well as blue gill. Walleye action is picking up on Lake Margrethe in 15-17 feet of water while trolling at a minimal speed of point eight miles per hour. Pike fishing is sporadic on inland lakes and river fishing is fair to good with live bait, Hendrickson??s, and flies.
Hamlin Lake - Has good crappie fishing off Layman’s Landing and the Boy Scout Camp. Minnows were the ticket. Night anglers are targeting the waters off Pete’s Bayou and the Narrows while using minnows or power grubs on jigs. Lots of panfish can be found around the stumps in the North, Middle and South Bayou’s. Perch were caught in 3 to 5 feet of water around the weed beds and cattails. At Victory Park, sunfish are hitting on worms and the bullheads are hitting after dark. Bass anglers are finding beds off the points on the main lake.
Lake Charlevoix - Had good perch fishing on the northwest side of the lake when you can find a school of fish and stay with it. The fish are getting ready to disperse and spawn but some nice catches are still coming in on minnows or wigglers.
Skegemog Lake - Smallmouth bass are the target in most of the lake. Try jerk baits, tubes, jigs or spinners in 5 to 20 feet of water. Fish the shallows in the early morning or evening with crawlers. Pike anglers are fishing from the mouth of the river to the public access site on the west side of the lake but no fish were taken. There has been some effort for perch but catch rates were low.
Glen Lake - In Leelanau County, perch were caught just off the shoals when using wigglers. Smallmouth bass were seen in the weed beds.
Long Lake - The walleye are hitting on crawler harnesses after dark. Also Lake Leelanau has reported in with a good walleye bite
Portage Lake - Walleye are still hitting in the evening when trolling along the shore, the weed beds and in the channel. The bigger bluegills are also starting to bite.
Muskegon Lake - Perch have been caught in 20 to 30 feet of water. The northern pike action has been good. Crappie and bluegills can be found in waters 10 to 15 feet or deeper. Both the large and smallmouth bass fishing has been good. Some nice fish have been caught and released.
Whitehall - Has good walleye fishing off the pier. Most anglers are picking their spots before dark and fishing most of the night. A few salmon have been caught when trolling. The lake trout were found in shallow waters.
Tittabawassee River - The lower river continues to produce very good walleye fishing around the Center Road access site. A lot of smallmouth bass have been caught and released and a lot of white bass have been caught.
FISHING REPORT
Upper Peninsula:
In the Copper Harbor area, excellent trout fishing is taking place at Isle Royale. Off the docks around the Harbor, splake are abundant. Medora Lake is great for walleye, and the small mouth bass are starting to pick up.
Around Escanaba, activity for walleye is good on Little Bay DeNoc north of Gladstone. Anglers are limiting out using floating jigs and crawler harnesses. Perch are active in the narrows and bass season opens Saturday for the area.
Within the Manistique area the Manistique and Indian rivers are providing decent catches of walleye on leeches, crawlers, night crawlers and Rapalas.
St. Ignace anglers are fishing Brevort Lake for walleye using crawler harnesses and reeling in fish in the 15-18 inch range.
Drummond Island fishing is improving with anglers using crawlers while drifting for walleye on Scott and Maxton bays. Pike are active on Scott Bay when trolling and using crawlers.
In the Sault Ste. Marie area good action is taking place on Brimley Bay for walleye, and white fish are doing well in the upper St. Mary??s River and behind the power house on wax worms and tear drops.
Northwest:
Angling is improving in the Boyne City area. Lake Charlevoix is producing good amounts of pike and walleye at the west end on crawler harnesses and body baits. Walloon Lake is giving up pike and walleye on crawlers. The local bait shop is predicting a very good weekend for holiday anglers as the warm weather rolls in.
In the Frankfort area, a few walleye are being pulled from the Big Platt Lake. Portage and Crystal lakes are giving up some perch but anglers must move around a lot. The Betsie and Platt rivers are good for rainbow trout fishing.
Around the Kalkaska area, the Manistee and Boardman rivers are providing good catches of trout on live bait. Bass season opens on Saturday for the area.
Cadillac anglers are doing well in the afternoon hours for blue gill in the shallow waters with light tackle. Crappie action is good throughout the entire day and pike are strong and hitting on sucker minnows. Saturday bass season opens.
Really great fishing is taking place around Gaylord. Otsego and Bradford lakes are giving up plenty of walleye on plugs and when trolling. Trout are running steady in all of the rivers and stone flies are working well. Local bait shops tell AAA that they are expecting a fantastic ball opener this weekend.
West:
Around the Ludington area, Lincoln Lake is giving up good numbers of perch on minnows; Hamlin Lake is producing walleye on body baits, and on the upper end of the Lake, crappie and blue gill are doing well on minnows. Lake Michigan is providing some qood action for kings and trout on spoons and around the piers the walleye and northern activity is decent.
In the Muskegon area, browns are being caught around the shoreline and salmon are active 100 feet out. Lake trout are grabbing at spoons and the walleye are moving around the channels and cuts of Lake Michigan as well as the piers and night trolling with crank bait works well. During the day spinner and crank baits are working well. Bass and blue gill are moving into the weed beds and bass season opens on Saturday for the area.
In the Baldwin area the bass season opens on Saturday. Blue gill are hitting on wax worms and poppers.
Southwest:
In the Holland area, walleye are on the move in the channels and cuts and near the piers off of Lake Michigan. The Paw Paw and Macatawa rivers are producing decent catches of silver bass.
Benton Harbor anglers are doing well on Lake Michigan catching salmon, lake trout, Coho when trolling 160 feet out and fishing 120 feet down with spoons. The St. Joseph River is giving up good amounts of walleye on night crawlers. The bass season opens Saturday for the area.
In the New Buffalo area, activity is good for kings, Coho, and steelhead when anglers go straight out from the harbor about 90 feet and toll with down riggers.
Kalamazoo anglers are reeling in some decent size blue gill and crappie on lead head jigs, bobbers, and minnows. Bass season for the area opens on Saturday.
Angling activity is picking up in the Three Rivers area. Pleasant and Long Lake are producing good quantities of blue gill on red wigglers and crappie on minnows.
Northeast:
In the Oscoda area, wonderful fishing taking place. The AuSable River is giving up good quantities of walleye and steelhead. Cooke and Foote Dam ponds are offering up nice perch, blue gill and pike. Baits working well include walleye, perch and pike minnows, night crawlers and wax worms.
Around Grayling, the local bait shop predicts that the bass opener this Saturday will be phenomenal. Bass are already starting to bed as well as blue gill. Walleye action is picking up on Lake Margrethe in 15-17 feet of water while trolling at a minimal speed of point eight miles per hour. Pike fishing is sporadic on inland lakes and river fishing is fair to good with live bait, Hendrickson??s, and flies.
Houghton Lake is giving up a little bit of everything and leeches and perch minnows seem to be working well.
Windy conditions this week on Higgins Lake has slowed activity a bit leaving trout action fair and the perch action poor. Bass season opens on the Lake this Saturday.
East:
In the Linwood area, walleye action continues to be steady on Saginaw Bay in 8-14 feet of water when trolling between Linwood and AuGres. Rapalas, and crawler harnesses are working well. The AuSable, AuGres, and Manistee rivers are giving up steelhead on wax worms and flies. Lake Huron near Port Sanilac is good for Coho and kings.
Wednesday, May 21, 2008
Spruce Grouse Strutting his Suitor
Shot this photo a couple of weeks ago in Luce County by the Two Heart River. This guy had his eye on a hot chick and was giving her quite a performance as they left for seclusion in a brush pile.
Weather really sucks today as last night some saw snow falling, bring on the heat. Oh a too windy for much fishing action so far this week
Sunday, May 18, 2008
Huge Wind and Cold Front
A Hurricane force cold front came in Sunday morning making most fisherman stay home today, It has slowed fishing again with whitecaps breaking over break-walls and boats bows.
It is looking good for weather for the opening of bass season this Saturday.
FISHING CONDITIONS ON LAKES CADILLAC AND MITCHELL
FROM PILGRIM VILLAGE FISHING SHOP
Finally, signs of bluegills starting to bed. Both coves on Lake Mitchell, especially the Small Cove are protected from the wind and have a muck bottom. These areas hold the warmest water. The temperature in both areas is approaching 60 degrees. On calm days, beds are visible. Best bite has been late afternoons using leaf or waxworms on light tackle. Consistent fishing is near.
Some crappies have also been caught in the coves. Lately the area from Kenwood Park to the State Park on Lake Cadillac has been better. Successful anglers are drifting the area. Once one or two are caught, anchor and fish the schools. Largest crappies are being caught on Blakemore Road Runners or Beetle Spins. Use either of these spinners and expect to be bit by pike and bass as a bonus.
Bass season opens May 24. At this writing bass are being caught regardless of what species you??re fishing for. Big, healthy large and small mouths have been common. A few beds are now visible. Tournament fishermen - the wait is almost over.
Pike fishing on both lakes has been good for numbers. Lots of action. Most keepers have been in the 26 to 28 inch range. Those over 30 have been special. They??re there but have been scarce lately. The brothers, Timothy and Austin Carlington of Cadillac are smiling. Their 26 inch pike was caught on Lake Cadillac. They??ll be back!
Master Angler size bullheads have been caught near the State Park on Lake Cadillac. Bring your lawn chair and enjoy easy night fishing with crawlers.
Another off brand, several reports of large dog fish have been caught in the coves on Lake Mitchell.
Mushroom Hunters - Black morels have ended but grays and whites are up. Check the areas ash trees. Our customers have found whites (yellows) the size of coffee cups. These may go into June because of the cold spring.
Saturday, May 17, 2008
Wood Duck at Sunrise
Friday, May 16, 2008
Two Nice Days in a Row
We have had two nice days in a row, but here comes the weekend with rain predicted. It would be nice to have a sunny , warm weekend as they have been far and few since opening of trout season.
Wixom Lake is reporting a great crappie bite as the crappie are feeding after spawning. There is a big pike tournament on Sanford Lake tomorrow with a thousand bucks for first place. Call Sanford Sport Shop @ 989-687-5161 to find out more.
Most lakes are having a great bass bite which does not open till next week. Keep your fingers crossed for good weather.
Thursday, May 15, 2008
Opening Day in The Great UP
My brother who runs in the Beautiful Upper said lots of traffic today in the UP with boats everywhere which is a good sign with high gas prices.
Little Bay De Noc - All the boat launches are up and running and ready for the walleye opener. Water temperatures vary from the low 40’s to the mid 50’s, so warmer weather would help. Perch fishing has been good in the Narrows when jigging worms in 23 to 35 feet of water and near the Center Reef in 20 to 25 feet of water. No reports on brown trout or splake but several anglers were heading south of the Ford River in search of them. Shore anglers fishing off the new piers at the North Shore Boat Launch have caught rock bass when using crawlers under a bobber. This is a good opportunity for kids.
Big Bay De Noc - The boat launches are open and ready for the walleye opener.
Manistique is gearing up for a big opener, with Indian Lake, Manistique Lake, andCurtis Area. The St Marys River should be good also for walleye, pike and huge muskies
Cooler temperatures, rain and strong winds have been keeping fishing activity at bay across a good part of the state.
Hamlin Lake - Good numbers of crappie have been caught in the East Arm just off Layman’s Landing in 8 to 12 feet of water or straight across the lake to the north in 10 to 20 feet of water. Limit catches of walleye were taken after dark in front of Pete’s Bayou and around the narrows. Those fishing the North and Middle Bayou’s reported very good panfish action when using power grubs on jigs or a wax worm on a teardrop..
Lake Charlevoix - Had good perch fishing on the northwest side of the lake when you can find a school of fish and stay with it. The fish are getting ready to disperse and spawn but some nice catches are still coming in on minnows or wigglers.
Skegemog Lake - Anglers have been targeting walleye north of the Torch River, along the southern end of the lake and near the narrows. Most are trolling, casting or drifting in 10 to 25 feet of water with rapalas, leeches and jigs. Pike and muskie were caught near the public access site and the narrows in 7 to 15 feet of water. The majority of bass anglers can be found along the south end of the lake near the Desmond Marsh area in 4 to 10 feet of water. Try using tubes, spinners or jerk baits. Perch anglers have been drifting or still-fishing near the narrows and the mouth of the river. Try minnows and wigglers in waters up to 25 feet deep.
Traverse City - Whitefish are being caught throughout the East Bay when jigging. Lake trout fishing has been excellent with limit catches reported. The brown trout and steelhead action has slowed. Lake trout fishing has been good in the West Bay but few anglers have been out.
Long Lake - The walleye are hitting on crawler harnesses after dark. Also Lake Leelanau has reported in with a good walleye bite
Portage Lake - Walleye were caught in the evening when trolling along the shore and out in the channel. A good number of rock bass have been caught and the bigger bluegills are starting to show up in 25 to 30 feet of water. Try crawlers or wigglers. Perch were caught on minnows.
Muskegon Lake - Perch have been caught in 20 to 30 feet of water. The northern pike action has been good. Crappie and bluegills can be found in waters 10 to 15 feet or deeper. Both the large and smallmouth bass fishing has been good. Some nice fish have been caught and released.
Whitehall - Has good walleye fishing off the pier. Most anglers are picking their spots before dark and fishing most of the night. A few salmon have been caught when trolling. The lake trout were found in shallow waters.
FISHING REPORT
Upper Peninsula:
The pike and walleye seasons open across the Upper Peninsula Thursday, May 15. At the time this report was being written, no information has been provided on how the openers are going. The cool weather and water temperatures are limiting the fishing activity near Copper Harbor. An occasional splake is being reeled out of Copper Harbor. A few steelhead are being caught in the creek between Lake Fanny Hooe and Copper Harbor.
Up until the open of the pike and walleye seasons, fishing activity on Lake Gogebic has been slow.
Around Marquette, the lake trout fishing ranges from fair to good on Lake Superior. The lakers are found toward the bottom of the lake, in water 60 to 120 feet deep. Most of the fish are being caught with spoons. Anglers trolling on the Lower Marquette and Upper Marquette harbors are catching a few coho. The steelhead action is good on the Carp, Chocolay and Dead rivers.
In the Gladstone area, the perch fishing is improving in the ??narrows? on Little Bay de Noc. The best fishing is found in water 30 to 35 feet deep.
Anglers along the Manistique River by Manistique are catching fair to good numbers of steelhead.
Fishing activity this week has been slow near St. Ignace.
The bays around Cedarville are producing good perch fishing. Minnows are the preferred bait. The splake fishing is fair out of Hessel.
Anglers on Maxton Bay by Drummond Island are catching a few perch. Anglers will have to sort through the fish that are caught, since there are a lot of small fish being reeled in.
And at Sault Ste. Marie, anglers are catching a few whitefish on the St. Marys River behind the ??powerhouse.? The upper end of the St. Marys River is producing fair perch fishing.
Northwest:
Anglers near Alanson are catching a few steelhead along the Bear River. The walleye action ranges from slow to fair on both Burt and Crooked lakes. Walleye anglers are using jigs tipped with a minnow.
In the Boyne City area, the walleye fishing is slow on both Lake Charlevoix and Walloon Lake.
By Traverse City, the lake trout fishing is fair to good on West Grand Traverse Bay. Try using a jig near the bottom of the bay, in water about 100 feet deep. The bass fishing is improving, but everything is catch and release with the bass since the season is not open.
Out of the Frankfort area, the perch fishing is fair on both Crystal and Portage lakes. Minnows and wigglers are both being used as bait. Anglers on Crystal Lake are reeling in a few whitefish, using wigglers as bait. Along the Betsie River, the steelhead fishing is fair. The steelhead are hitting on a variety of baits.
Around Manistee, anglers on Lake Michigan are reeling in a few brown trout. The fish are found close to shore, in water up to eight feet deep. The shallow waters of the small lakes in the area are producing fair bluegill fishing.
Anglers on Manistee Lake near Kalkaska are catching good numbers of walleye. The steelhead action along the Boardman River is fair.
The fly-fishing opportunities range from fair to good on the Au Sable, Black, Pigeon and Sturgeon rivers. The walleye fishing is pretty good on Bradford and Otsego lakes. The walleye are hitting on crawler harnesses or jigs tipped with a minnow.
And at Cadillac, the pike fishing is fair to good on both lakes Cadillac and Mitchell. The crappie fishing is fair on Lake Mitchell. There are not a lot of fish being caught, but those that are reeled in are big. After dark, an occasional walleye is being caught on the east side of Lake Mitchell.
West:
Hamlin and Lincoln lakes near Ludington are producing good panfish and bluegill fishing. The fish are starting to move into shallower water in the lakes.
Out of the Muskegon area, the bluegill and perch fishing is good on Muskegon Lake, in water 10 to 20 feet deep. After dark, the walleye fishing is fair along the Muskegon Channel and off the pier heads. The salmon fishing is improving on Lake Michigan.
Chippewa Lake is producing fair bluegill, pike and walleye fishing. The northerns are hitting on minnows, but most of the pike being caught are on the small side.
And at Baldwin, the bluegill fishing is good on most of the local lakes. The best fishing occurs during the warmest part of the day.
Southwest:
By Holland, the walleye fishing is good off the piers on Lake Michigan near Holland and on the Kalamazoo River. The best fishing occurs at night. Anglers on the piers are using husky jerks, on the river any type of live bait seems to be working well. Out on Lake Michigan, the salmon action is slow. The fish that are being caught are found in water 80 to 140 feet deep.
Lake Michigan by Benton Harbor is producing some good lake trout and steelhead fishing. The fish are found in water up to 300 feet deep. Along the St. Joseph River, anglers are reeling in a few catfish. Anglers on the Lake Michigan piers are catching a few walleye.
Around New Buffalo, the crappie fishing ranges from slow to fair on the Galien River.
In the Kalamazoo area, the bluegill and bass fishing is good on Sugarloaf Lake. The largemouth and smallmouth bass action is good on Gull Lake, however, since the bass seasons are not yet open, any bass caught must immediately be released.
And at Three Rivers, the crappie fishing is very good on most of the local lakes, such as Corey Lake. Shiner minnows are the preferred bait. The bluegill action on the local lakes is pretty good.
Northeast:
In the Alpena area, the walleye fishing is fair along the Lake Huron shoreline, in water up to nine feet deep. Evenings are the best time to be out. Anglers along the Thunder Bay River are reeling in a few perch. The Second Street Bridge is the best spot to cast a line in the water, and minnows are the preferred bait.
Around Grayling, the walleye fishing is fair on Lake Margrethe. Anglers are using jigs or trolling slowly in water 15 to 20 feet deep. The panfish action on some of the smaller lakes in the area ranges from slow to fair.
Out on Higgins Lake, the rainbow and brown trout fishing is fair. Anglers are trolling for the trout, with the best action found near the drop-offs in the lake.
Houghton Lake is producing good pike and walleye fishing. The northerns are hitting on stick baits. The walleye are biting on crawlers or leeches near the weed edges or on stick baits used by anglers trolling on the lake.
In the Oscoda area, the perch and walleye fishing is good on Van Etten Lake. The Cooke Dam and Foote Dam ponds are producing good panfish, pike and walleye action. Anglers along the Au Sable River, below the Foote Dam, are reeling in fair numbers of steelhead.
And at Au Gres, the steelhead fishing is fair on the east branch of the Au Gres River. Anglers on Saginaw Bay are catching a few walleye in water 25 to 30 feet deep.
East:
The walleye action is steady on Saginaw Bay near Linwood. Anglers are trolling in water eight to 14 feet deep.
Wednesday, May 14, 2008
UP Opener Tomorrow
The walleye and pike opener for the UP is tomorrow with clear sky’s but very cold in the morning (low 30’s). The Bay De Noc Area will be hit the hardest tomorrow, but there are many great place around Manistique and St. Mary’s River.
With the high, cold water it will be an interesting opener this year as things are a couple weeks behind.
Photo above was taken Saturday night as I came back from the Two Heart River, I saw it was calm and shot a few photos of the bridge that night.
Tuesday, May 13, 2008
FIshing Good, but no fisherman
The fish have been back on a bite this week, but there are few fisherman out as weather and high gas prices are effecting the tourist industry.
Lake Leelanau has a walleye bite this week with many keepers being caught, Long Lake by Traverse has been good, but most fish are undersize right now.
May 15 the UP pike and walleye season opens and many will be heading to Bay De Noc.
FISHING CONDITIONS ON LAKES CADILLAC AND MITCHELL
FROM PILGRIM VILLAGE FISHING SHOP
Some mornings we??re still experiencing frost followed by warm afternoons. The lake temperatures are staying in the mid - 50??s range, very slowly warming.
Some good crappies are being caught. Good size, but not limits. Best area has been outside the State Park area on Lake Mitchell. The warmer afternoons have been best. Often they??ll give their location away by breaking the surface. Small minnows or jigs have been best.
Bluegills haven??t started yet. It??s been one here, one there. Soon they??ll show-up. Normally they??re spawning by the end of the month. As of now everything is behind.
Ryan Brown of Cadillac is seen with a great catch of walleyes. Check two 25 inch and one 27 inch caught on Lake Mitchell. Rapala Husky Jerks, the local favorite, are his choice bait. All were caught late at night.
Pike fishing has been good for the numbers, but few have been over 30 inches. Most catches have been in the 24 to 28 inch range. Big pike have been scarce, they??re not hungry. Dave Coffey caught a 27 ½ inch on Lake Mitchell.
Coolwater Anglers had their pike tournament Saturday May 10th. Great day on the lakes with 27 boats participating. With a 2 fish limit per team, using only artificials, just under 60 inches took first place. If you missed it, it was fun. Look for another in the future. Numbers of pike were caught but no monsters our lakes are famous for. As a bonus several ??Big? bass, both large and small mouth were caught. All bass and pike were released unharmed. Don Fowler is pictured with a nice small mouth before returning it to Lake Mitchell. Go to Coolwaterangler.com for pictures and results of the tournament.
The last turkey period, 234, is still good in the Cadillac area. Ken Todd harvested a beautiful one with a 7? beard. Very nice bird.
Morels - Black morels, although still available, are coming to the end. However, grays and a few smaller whites are starting to pop-up. Rain and warmer weather will help.
Monday, May 12, 2008
Ruffed Grouse Drumming
I shot this photo in Luce County with the help of Rick Baetsen who found the drumming log and let me photograph this great bird close up. This was by Swamp Lake.
Sunday, May 11, 2008
Happy Mother’s Day
Mothers are the place that we call home.
On them we rest our heads and close our eyes.
There’s no one else who grants the same soft peace,
Happiness, contentment, sweet release,
Erasing nighttime tears with lullabies,
Restoring the bright sun that makes us bloom.
Thursday, May 08, 2008
Warmer Weather will Improve Fishing
The bite is still slow with very few good or bad reports coming in, but lots of mushrooms are being picked in Northern Michigan
The perch have scattered on Grand Traverse bay with the high winds we had this week.
Tittabawassee River - Walleye bite has been fair as they move back out to the bay.
Saginaw Bay - Had good to excellent walleye fishing about two miles past Finn Road in shallow waters 4 feet deep. Try using crawler harnesses. Those fishing off Quanicassee reported excellent walleye fishing straight out from the port in 8 feet of water when using crawler harnesses. More and bigger fish were caught here. Pike and largemouth bass were caught off Sebewaing. Not many walleye were caught off Bay Port and Caseville.
River and creeks have been slow but with warmer weather look for things to get better.
Elk Lake - The walleye anglers have not been out. Those looking for smallmouth bass were fishing the southern end of the lake near the Whitewater Township Park. Anglers were casting tubes and rapalas in 10 feet of water but no fish were caught.
Skegemog Lake - Anglers have been targeting walleye north of the Torch River, along the southern end of the lake and near the narrows. Most are trolling, casting or drifting in 10 to 25 feet of water with rapalas, leeches and jigs. Pike and muskie were caught near the public access site and the narrows in 7 to 15 feet of water. The majority of bass anglers can be found along the south end of the lake near the Desmond Marsh area in 4 to 10 feet of water. Try using tubes, spinners or jerk baits. Perch anglers have been drifting or still-fishing near the narrows and the mouth of the river. Try minnows and wigglers in waters up to 25 feet deep.
Traverse City - In the East Bay, those fishing off Dock Road in the early morning have caught some brown trout and steelhead. West winds in this location have improved the fishing. Whitefish have been caught off the white wall along the southern end of the bay. Jigging worked best. Lake trout fishing has been excellent with limit catches taken. Many fish were over 25 inches.
Long Lake - The walleye are hitting on crawler harnesses after dark..
Portage Lake - Perch fishing slowed as it appears the bigger fish are done, but lots of small fish are still being caught. Bluegill and crappie are starting to hit, but the action was still spotty. Boat anglers trolling along the north shore have caught northern pike and walleye.
Little Bay De Noc - Perch anglers are going out when the weather permits. The cooler evenings have lowered the water temperatures to about 42 degrees. Most are jigging minnows and worms in the deeper waters 28 to 35 feet deep around the Narrows but few fish have been caught. Those fishing Nelsons Bay were marking a lot of fish but not many were caught. The walleye opener on May 15th looks to be a good one..
Houghton Lake - The crappie are moving back out to deeper waters. A few walleye were caught when trolling with leeches just off the bottom.
Charlevoix - Perch anglers did catch some fish in 50 feet of water along the northwest side of the lake, but the fish seem to be scattered.
Hamlin Lake - Lots of pike have been caught when trolling body baits in the shallows, but most of the fish were small. Some big bluegills were caught on wax worms or leaf worms in the upper lake in 15 to 30 feet of water and crappie are in 10 feet of water. Anglers are catching and releasing a good number of largemouth bass in shallow waters 2 to 5 feet deep. Top water spinner baits have worked best. Good colors have been chartreuse and white. In the lower lake, bluegills are hitting in both the North and the Middle Bayou’s, but many were small.
Upper Peninsula:
Around Manistique, Indian Lake is providing a few perch.
Sault St. Marie anglers are reeling in some really big perch in the 12-14 inch size in the very early morning hours on the upper river. White fish are hot near the power house using wax worms, spawn and flies.
Around Munuscong Bay, not a lot of activity taking place this week other than some splake being caught on Hessell Lake with minnows. Most anglers are anxiously awaiting the opening of walleye season May 15.
Drummond Island anglers are finding fair fishing on Maxton Bay for perch off the docks, but plenty of sorting is needed. For example, 100 fish caught, only 25 keepers. Perch are hitting on minnows in three feet of water. Maxton Bay is also giving up good counts of bullheads on crawlers and minnows. Pike and walleye season opens May 15.
Copper Harbor anglers are doing well with splake in the Harbor when using spoons.
Around Marquette activity has been slow, some brook trout are being reeled in from Little Garlic River on small worms and pan fishing is picking up.
In the Escanaba area, perch action is picking up on Little Bay DeNoc near Gladstone. Fish in the narrows area in 25-40 feet of water and try using minnows and wigglers. Steelhead remain decent on the Rapid River when using spawn.
Northwest:
Gaylord area anglers are finding improving conditions as the streams and lakes warm up. Walleye activity is good on Twin Lake.
Boyne City anglers are doing well using spawn bags for steelhead on the Boyne River. Perch fishing has slowed down and the suckers seem to have left as fast as they came. Pike are doing well on blue minnows.
In the Kalkaska area, brook and brown trout can be found in the creeks using live bait. Smaller inland lakes are good locations for blue gill. Steelhead remain active on Boardman River and Tippy Dam. A few perch being caught on Skegemog Lake.
Around the Frankfort area, angling activity is fair and sometimes hit or miss. Anglers are working hard to find perch in Crystal Lake. Lake Michigan is giving up decent catches of browns casting off the pier with cleos, crocodiles or spawn and when trolling using Rapalas. The Betsie River is producing fair amounts of suckers and steelhead. Walleye are decent around the Big Platt and Upper Herring lakes.
West:
In the Pentwater area, a few salmon are being pulled from Lake Michigan and some walleye around the piers on body baits in the evening hours.
Around the Muskegon area, anglers are doing well on Muskegon Lake for perch near the edge of weed beds when using worms. Blue gill are also abundant on Muskegon Lake in 10 feet of water and near the weed beds. Wax worms, spikes and red worms are working well, and near the east end of the Lake catfish are plentiful on crawlers.
Chippewa Lake is improving for blue gill, canals and channels are best locations.
Southwest:
In the Holland area Lake Macatawa is giving up decent catches of crappie mostly under the docks. Hutchins Lake also has come good crappie fishing taking place, especially around the weed beds. Lake Michigan is spotty this week for salmon, but fish caught have been in 40-70 feet of water.
Benton Harbor anglers are reeling in a few Kings in 80-100 feet of water on spoons, dodgers and flies going out about two miles from the pier. Walleye are a bit slow this week in the area.
Around New Buffalo anglers are finding good results with lakers in 62 feet of water, approximately three miles out. So far Kings are far and few between and steelhead activity has slowed some.
In the Kalamazoo area, bass are on the move on Maple Lake as well as blue gill and crappie. Sugarloaf Lake is also producing decent counts of blue gill and crappie.
Angling in the Three Rivers area is picking up on Harwood, Driscoll and Corey lakes. Blue gill, crappie and perch are active, and red wigglers and minnows are working best. A few walleye are being caught in the St. Joseph River between Constantine and Mottville.
Northeast:
At Houghton Lake angling action is back where it should be and anglers will find the middle of the Lake producing good amounts of walleye, trout, blue gill and crappie. A variety of bait is working well that includes leeches, leaf worms and Rapalas.
At Higgins Lake, the walleye action is improving as the weather improves. Perch action remains decent when using flies, leeches and wax worms.
In the Oscoda area, Cooke Dam Pond and Foote Dam Pond are producing fair quantities of perch and blue gill on crawlers and minnows. The AuSable River continues to give up decent catches of steelhead on spawn and walleye are ample when using wax worms, flies and Tiger Rapalas.
East:
Linwood anglers are doing well for walleye on Saginaw Bay from AuGres to the east end using bottom bouncers and crank bait. Steelhead action has slowed and perch catches are spotty.