Curly's Photo and Fishing Blog
Thursday, December 29, 2011
First Ice Fishing Report
There is safe ice north of M-55 as many shallow lakes are froze
Northwest:
Traverse City: Boat anglers in the East Bay have done well when jigging for lake trout or whitefish. The whitefish are averaging five pounds. Spider lake has safe ice with bluegills biting.
Elk River: Shore anglers caught a few salmon below the dam and at the mouth.
Boardman River: Steelhead still in the river.
Portage Lake: Is open with many getting out in boats stil
Manistee River: Sleehead fishing has been good
Hanlin Lake is still open
Manistee Lake by Kalkaska has 5 inches of ice and perch, walleye and gills have been biting.Call Jacks for latest conditions 231-258-8892
Betsie River: Still has a good number of steelhead for the taking. Warmer temperatures this week will provide ideal fishing conditions.
Lake Mitchell- Has 5 inches of ice and fishing has been good.
Manistee River: This should be another good week as steelhead fishing remains strong with lots of fish in the river system. Those fly fishing have done well but those casting small spoons have also caught a few fish. There are still plenty of chrome fish in the river.
Little Manistee River: Steelhead fishing remains strong here as well with anglers taking good numbers of fish when floating or drifting flies, spawn or wax worms.
Pere Marquette River: Should be good for steelhead fishing with the warmer temperatures and so many fish in the river. Those fly fishing in the lower river have done well.
Lake Missaukee has safe ice with lots of fisherman getting out! Call Matt @ 231-839-3474
Pentwater good perch fishing off the docks
Northeastern Lower Peninsula
Rogers City: Black Bass Bay has safe ice with many getting nice perch.
Thunder Bay River: A few people are fishing when the weather permits. Perch measuring 7 or 8 inches were caught in fair numbers. There are occasional steelhead, brown trout, and whitefish being caught below the 9th Street Dam.
Au Sable River: Steelhead fishing is still good and should remain that way until winter temperatures cool the river down.
Tawas: Pier fishing is winding down but a few anglers are still trying for perch, brown trout or whitefish.
Lake Margrethe has 5 inches of ice and great walleye and pike bite. Call Skips Sport Shop for an update @989-348-7111
Otsego Lake at Gaylord has safe ice and call Northern Sports for the latest ice conditions and where the fish are biting 989-448-2014
Flechers Floodwater has 4 inches of ice with a few getting out this week.
Houghton Lake has safe ice on the east shore 5 inches with walleye and pike being caught.
Upper Peninsula
Chocolay River: A few folks are bank-fishing for brown trout and steelhead at the M-28 roadside rest-stop and downstream from the park.
Two-Hearted River: Had reports of good steelhead action by those wading in the open waters between High Bridge and the mouth.
Southeast Lower Peninsula
Lake Erie: A few perch and crappie were caught off the Metro Park boat launch. Try wax worms or shiner minnows.
Huron River: Steelhead are still being caught near the dam at Flat Rock as water levels downstream were still a bit high. Try a black or white jig with a wax worm or spawn.
Detroit River: Has good shore fishing for bluegill and perch off Ballenger Park. Perch were also caught in the canals around Gibraltar.
Lexington: Fishing pressure has been light with few anglers out. No fish were caught because the harbor is full of emerald shiners right now. No perch to report.
Port Sanilac: No fish were caught here either as the harbor if full of minnows. No perch to report.
Saginaw Bay: Perch fishing is still available in the cuts, river mouths, and marina basins. Success will be limited, so be willing to move about every half hour if the fish are not biting. A few walleye were caught by those trolling crank baits or deep diving stick baits east of the Saginaw River.
Saginaw River: There has been no word on walleye action however there should be some fish in there.
Quanicassee River: Was producing perch and you might get enough for a meal.
Southwest Lower Peninsula
There is no ice to report in this area of the state. There may be skim ice with the low overnight temperatures, but certainly no safe ice. Steelhead fishing on medium sized streams would be the best option for anglers right now as the large rivers have high water levels.
Galien River: Would be a good option for steelhead fishing until water levels go down on the bigger rivers.
Dowagiac River: Would be another good option for steelhead anglers.
St. Joseph River: Has no report due to the high water levels.
Paw Paw River: Is another medium size stream that would be a good place for anglers to go steelhead fishing.
Kalamazoo River: Has high water levels.
Grand River at Grand Rapids: Is experiencing a great winter run of steelhead. Fish are hitting on white jigs with wax worms, yarn or spawn. Water levels are up so anglers are fishing by boat or shore only. Those in boats will need extra weight to keep their boat in place. Walleye are still being caught by those using bucktail jigs, rapalas or husky jerks.
Grand River at Lansing: Is producing steelhead and pike. Water levels seem to be fluctuating on a daily basis. Those fishing Moore’s Park are wading and casting spinners. In Prairie Creek, they are drifting yarn eggs or bright colored beads above the hook. For pike, try Moore’s Park or the point where the Grand meets the Red Cedar while casting orange spinners.
Rogue River: Is another medium sized stream that would be a good choice for steelhead fishing right now.
Muskegon Lake: Perch being caught off the docks
Whitehall: Perch being caught off the docks
FISHING CONDITIONS ON LAKES CADILLAC AND MITCHELL FROM PILGRIM
VILLAGE FISHING SHOP 231-775-5412
FISHING CONDITIONS ON LAKES CADILLAC AND MITCHELL
FROM PILGRIM VILLAGE FISHING SHOP
We’re fishing on Lake Mitchell. But wait, IT’S NOT SAFE! Skim ice covers both Mitchell and Cadillac. The cold nights and moderated days it comes and goes. However, the east side of Mitchell (State Park Beach area) does have 3 to 4 inches. It’s the white slush ice that blew in from the main lake after last weeks rain. It refroze and is solid.
It’s not safe! Some to eager to wait are fishing it. A few set tip-ups and wait for flags from the comfort of their vehicles. A few walleye and pike have been reported.
A brave spear fisherman waits for a shot from a portable shanty. None have ventured too far out which isn’t necessary since they’re fishing in 6 to 10’ depths. A few are trying the coves, but not going out too far.
While the ice is not safe, a few are brave, - or foolish.
CURRENT ICE CONDITIONS - FRIDAY 23, 2011
LAKE MITCHELL
•Big Cove - No one on the ice. Some have tried but broke through at the shore line. Currently 1 inch.
•Small Cove - A lone brave sole out about a 100 yards. It’s reletively shallow that close to shore.
•Eastside, Mitchell State Park Area - Several fishing and some in the comfort of their shantys, 3 to 5 inches. Some are out a couple of football fields, then the ice tappers. The water depths in this area range 6 to 12 feet.
•No evidence of anyone fishing any other areas of Lake Mitchell.
State Park Boat Launch Area. Brave Angler off the small cove.
Lake Cadillac
•Kenwood Park - 1 1/2 inches clear ice, no activity.
•East Boat Launch - 2 inches white ice, no activity.
•Eastside (across from AmVets) - 3 to 5 inches. Fishermen setting tip-ups, returning to shore and watching for flags from their vechiles. Water depth in this area; up to 19 feet.
•Protected Cove by Four Winns Test Center - 3 to 5 inches. Spear fishermen enjoy the dark of their shanty.
•Causeway (westside 115 area) - No activity in this usually good crappie, pike area.