Curly's Photo and Fishing Blog
Wednesday, April 23, 2008
Crappie and Perch on the Bite
Lots of lakes reporting in with great crappie runs with Cadillac, Houghton Lake, and Wixom getting hit hardest.
But most local lakes are reporting good gill and crappie bites. Call your local sport shop for the latest info.
Perch are biting good on Grand Traverse Bay at Suttons Bay, pier off of Manistee, Crystal Lake, Higgins Lake, Lake Charlevoix off the Ironton Ferry.
So it has been a great week for fishing and taking wood duck photos also
Sunday, April 20, 2008
Warm Weather Brings Hot Bite
Most lakes are reporting a great bite this weekend. Houghton Lake, Lake Cadillac, and Wixom report a super crappie bite.
Perch bite in Manistee at the pieir, Higgins Lake at the sunken island, and Crystal Lake
FISHING CONDITIONS ON LAKES CADILLAC AND MITCHELL
FROM PILGRIM VILLAGE FISHING SHOP
SUNDAY, APRIL 20, 2008
As we predicted last report, the Causeway Area on Lake Cadillac was the first place for crappie. Shore fishermen and boat anglers have been taking advantage of this early bite. Limits have been common. Nothing sophisticated to catching them. Use light line, bobber, Aberdeen hook and small minnows for bait. Nothing tricky.
Other areas are starting for them. The City Dock on the east side of Cadillac is good as are the cove areas on Mitchell. The warm weather is waking up both lakes. As a bonus, some are catching sunfish along with crappie. They’ll be next as the crappie thin out. Lots of pictures this week of crappie catches.
The last Saturday of April things will get serious. Pike, walleye and trout season opens. Get you “Honey do’s” done. Spring fishing begins for real!
Manistee River, even though sucker fishing has started there’s still good numbers of steelhead. See picture of JP Matlak from Tustin. He caught his on a chartreuse wobble glo, a nice 32 incher caught at Tippy Dam. They are still catching monster walleye at the dam. This year they may still be there for the opener. Normally they have a clock in their heads and are gone.
This week those lucky first period turkey hunters will be in the field instead of fishing. More room for us on shore or at the boat launches.
Thursday, April 17, 2008
Ice Still on Many Lake in Northern Michigan
There is still ice on Higgins Lake, and most lakes north of M-72 still have ice, but it should be off this weekend. The UP has ice on most lakes with some fishing still the first of the week, but now ice is unsafe.
Suttons Bay has a good perch bite this week with wigglers working best.
Houghton Lake the crappie and sunfish are coming into the canals with minnows working best for crappie and worms for sunfish.
The panfish are coming into the mudfats of many inland lakes south of M-55 and waxworms, leaf worms, and wigglers are working best
Wixom Lake has a crappie run this week
Steelhead are up the river on the west side of the state, I’m hearing the suckers are starting to run also.
Snow in the Upper Peninsula, heavy winds in the east and southeast, and cooler temperatures earlier in the week has slowed fishing activity in many areas of the state. However, by the weekend warmer temperatures are anticipated and fishing opportunities should improve.
Upper Peninsula Northwest West Southwest
Northeast East Central Southeast
Upper Peninsula:
Overall activity is slow in the Upper Peninsula due to the weather.
In Munuscong Bay, Manistique, St. Ignace and Drummond Island the ice is very unsafe and angling activity is basically at a standstill this week during this transition period.
Around Sault Saint Marie, the ice is deteriorating but anglers are still ice fishing for perch on Lake George.
In the Copper Harbor area, the ice is now gone and anglers are in a transition mode with no activity taking place this week.
Around Bergland, Lake Gogebic still has three feet of ice and anglers are ice fishing for perch on wigglers. Ice fishing may hold through May 1.
In the Escanaba area, the ice is unsafe and the shoreline is melting rapidly making it difficult for anglers to get out. Some of the boat ramps are anticipated to open this weekend. Slow action for perch and browns today.
Northwest:
In Boyne City, the ice is finally gone. The Bear, Boyne and Jordan rivers are giving up good amounts of steelhead and perch. Suckers are starting to run and can be found near the mouth of the rivers. Steelhead biting on spawn bags and perch on wigglers.
In the Kalkaska area, good action taking place for steelhead in the Boardman River and Elk Rapids Dam. Spawn working best.
Around the Frankfort area, the Betsie and the Platt rivers are hot spots for steelhead on flies and spawn. The ice is now gone and Lake Michigan has opened up, and anglers are catching some browns and steelhead around the piers.
Anglers in the Gaylord area are finding decent fishing for steelhead in the Boyne and Jordan rivers on nymph patterns, spawn, and egg flies. Any ice in the area should be considered unsafe. Anglers are fly fishing on the AuSable River with mudler minnows and woolly buggers.
West:
In the Muskegon area, decent perch action for anglers fishing on Muskegon Lake but expect to do plenty of sorting. Lake Michigan is wide open and all of the ice is gone, steelhead are on the move and can be found near the piers, in most channels and the break arms. Brown trout action is slow and spotty.
Chippewa Lake is giving up some specs and blue gill in the channels on minnows and wax worms.
Around the Baldwin area, the ice has finally left and steelhead are on the increase in the Pere Marquette River. Spawn seems to be working well.
Southwest:
Good action taking place in the Holland area. Crappie are active on most inland lakes on minnows and twister tails. Lake Michigan is giving up browns, and steelhead. Walleye are active around the Holland piers in the middle of the night. Trolling in 18 feet of water and using Hot-n-Tots, husky jerks, x-wraps and most body baits seem to work well.
In the Benton Harbor area, the ice is gone but the weather and high winds this week has angling activity at a standstill.
Around the Kalamazoo area, the Pere Marquette River is producing decent catches of steelhead. Austin Lake is giving up crappie on the north end, but other inland lakes have very limited activity, as well as the Kalamazoo River which is too high for any action.
Northeast:
In the Oscoda area the fishing is really picking up since all of the ice is gone. Cooke and Foote Dam Ponds are producing good quantities of blue gill and perch. Anglers are getting good results using perch minnows, small red worms and wax worms. Van Etten Lake is giving up decent amounts of perch on minnows and wigglers and in the AuSable River the steelhead are on the move and wax worms, spawn and flies are working best.
Alpena anglers have fair fishing taking place for steelhead and suckers on the Thunder Bay River when using spawn bags.
Slow action in the Grayling area mainly due to the ice, which has finally left for good. Canals are starting to open up with blue gill becoming active.
On Houghton Lake the ice is now gone and anglers are starting to launch boats, fishing in canals for crappie.
Around Higgins Lake the angling activity is slow this week mostly due to the ice that remains, which is not safe, and the shoreline breaking up making it difficult for anglers to get out.
East:
In the Bay City area, the weather has been an issue for anglers all week due to high winds going up and down and pushing the water out in and out. The water is brown, muddy and really stirred up. Activity should improve for the weekend as warmer and milder weather moves in.
Around the Linwood area, pretty much the same story as Bay City where the winds have stirred things up making it rough for anglers to get out. Some walleye are being caught in the Bay in 9-14 feet of water when trolling. Suckers are running in the Rifle River and crawlers are doing the trick.
Wednesday, April 16, 2008
Spring is Here and Fishing Season Coming Fast
Fishing season will be here in a few days and warm weather will get the ice off the lakes so we can put boats in for the opener. Many spring things starting to show up and it is great to hear birds singing again.
Tuesday, April 15, 2008
Lake Ice is Slowly Disappearing
It has been a long winter with ice on many lakes still. In the UP they have ice locked to the shore still. It will be a tough opener with many lakes will be just opening this weekend. Also bait will be hard to get as cold weather is hampering leeches trapping along with suckers in Minnesota as they have over two feet of hard ice on their lakes still. We need a warm spell!
There has been a perch bite still on Grand Traverse Bay at Suttons Bay.
Crystal Lake reports trout are being caught from shore by cold creek.
Houghton Lake reports that the crappie have started into the canals this week.
Lake Charlevoix is looking for a perch bite as soon as the ice goes out in Ironton.
Thursday, April 10, 2008
Need Warm Weather
We need some warm weather to get the ice out of te lake and get on with a new season.
Suttons Bay has a good perch bite this week with wigglers working best.
Wixom Lake has a crappie run this week
Steelhead are up the river on the west side of the state.
Upper Peninsula:
In the Upper Peninsula, the angling activity is very limited this week, mainly due to adverse weather that included everything from snow, rain, and wind.
In the Munuscong area, the Bay is giving up some perch on minnow and wax worms. The lake is slushy around the edges and thinning, use caution.
Around the Sault Ste. Marie area, the ice is still in good shape. Lake George is giving up good quantities of perch this week.
Near the St. Ignace area, Brevort Lake anglers are catching a few perch, and walleye fishing is still good, but out of season and fish are being tossed back.
In the Cedarville area, the ice is still good and anglers are going from hole to hole to find fish. Anglers following the fish are doing the best.
Northwest:
In the Alanson area the ice is finally gone. Burt Lake has open water and anglers are getting there via the Crooked River. The Cheboygan and Bear rivers are giving up decent catches of steelhead.
Around the Boyne City area, the ice is not safe give it one more week to be gone. Good action for steelhead on the Bear River when using flies, spawn, wigglers, wax worms and orange and green tear drops.
In the Manistee area, anglers are launching boats this week and fishing perch on Manistee Lake with good results. The Big Manistee River from Tippy to Highbridge is good for steelhead, but the Little Manistee River is slow this week. Brown trout activity is picking up along the Lake Michigan shoreline.
In the Kalkaska area, anglers are catching decent amounts of steelhead on wax worms and jigs out of the Boardman River and Elk Rapids Dam.
In the Traverse City area the fishing is decent near the west end of Traverse Bay where whitefish are plentiful. Anglers are getting limit catches on wigglers or jigs.
In Frankfort, good fishing is taking place on the Betsie River for steelhead. Anglers are using spawn, flies, and spinners with great results. Lake Michigan is giving up some steelhead around the piers and in the Bay when casting spoons or using Rapalas.
In the Gaylord area, fishing is starting to improve. Perch are active on streamers in the Manistee. Wigglers, egg flies, and nymph patterns are working well on steelhead when fishing the Boyne, Cheboygan or Jordan rivers.
In the Cadillac area, anglers are waiting for the ice to just plain leave, no activity this week.
West:
Around the Ludington area, fishing is rather slow with some steelhead and brown trout action taking place off of the piers. The Manistee River is giving up a few suckers, and the Pere Marquette River a few browns. Ludington State Park is decent for perch near the bottom of the Dam.
In the Muskegon area, Muskegon Lake is producing decent amounts of steelhead and perch, and a few northern mostly on spikes, minnow and wax worms. Steelhead action is picking up in the river and near the break arms.
On Chippewa Lake ice remains but some channels have opened up. Decent fishing taking place for specs and the best baits include leaf worms, minnows and wax worms.
Anglers in the Baldwin area are finding good luck using spawn on steelhead when fishing around the piers of the Pere Marquette River.
Southwest:
Around Holland the fishing has improved. Lake Michigan is producing good catches of browns and steelhead in deeper waters of 6-18 feet. Spoons and spawn sacks are working well. Near Grand Haven suckers are active in most rivers and the north pier when fishing in shallow water and using body baits, particularly Rapalas. Around Saugatuck a few browns are being caught.
In the New Buffalo area, steelhead and Coho are active. Anglers are launching boats and fishing Lake Michigan with good results in 15 feet of water.
Kalamazoo angling action is picking up this week. Around the St. Joe piers Coho and browns are biting on spawn. Trolling near the piers in 20 feet of water and using flies and small spoons is getting the job done. Just below the Allegan Dam steelhead are biting on spawn sacks, the sucker run is also good with leaf worms and night crawlers working best. Pine Lake is producing good amounts of crappie on minnow and Austin Lake is decent for perch on minnow. Maple Lake is giving up some crappie and blue gill, best location is between the Island and the Dam.
Northeast:
In the Alpena area, fishing this week has improved to fair. The best steelhead action is taking place on the Thunder Bay River around the 9th Street Dam. Anglers are using spawn for decent results.
Around Grayling anglers need to use extreme caution on all ice. Some ice fishing is still taking place, however the ice conditions are rapidly deteriorating. Lake Margrethe and Manistee and Frog lakes are giving up some blue gill and perch.
Higgins Lake still has ice fishing taking place but getting past the shoreline is becoming difficult, however once you get past the shore, the perch fishing is decent using minnows and spikes.
AuGres anglers are finding good catches of steelhead near the east branch of the AuGres River. Pine River is giving up some perch.
East:
In the Linwood area, ice in the Bay is gone, however there are still some large chunks floating so if you are getting out in a boat use caution. Sucker fishing in the area is picking up, but otherwise limited action this week.
Bay City anglers are finding some good size perch near Quanicassee around the iron bridges, and Russell and Thomas roads. Minnows are working well. Pike are decent at the mouth of the Hot Pond.
Wednesday, April 09, 2008
Lost Lake Loon
Here is a spring visitor that I’m glad to see with the long winter we had.
Tuesday, April 08, 2008
Get the Boats Out
Ice fishing in Northern Michigan is done with a little still going on in the UP.
I’m hearing of a great crappie run in Wixom Lake with lots of fish being caught. Also hear Suttons Bay has a good perch bite this week. With the rains steelhead should start moving into the rivers, but look for high water the next few days.
Rifle River has suckers and they are using lots of crawlers this week.
Look for Cadillac to be hot for crappie when the ice goes off the lake.
Sunday, April 06, 2008
Onekama Sphinx
I shot this photo yesterday evening in Onekama at the lighthouse and the ice formation sure looks like the sphinx.
Saturday, April 05, 2008
Pretty BIrd
They call this grouse pretty bird and it has to look in a mirror before it will pose. This was taken over the weekend in the Keweenaw Peninsula. George who owns the property said it came out to him when he walked down the path. So everyday they feed him a little corn and it follows them on their walk around his property.
Thursday, April 03, 2008
Ice Fishing Closing Fast
The shorelines are starting to get soft so driving cars out is not advised. Remember your new fishing license April 1.
Most are tired of Ice fishing and yearing to be out in their boat, or are on the rivers fishing trout.
Smelt fishing is good on Higgins Lake with in front of Big Creek being the hotspot.
Cadillac reports a good crappie bite early on minnows.
Manistee Lake by Kalkaska reports a good gill bite the last few days, also Houghton Lake has been getting better every day.
Around the Boyne City area, Walloon Lake and Lake Charlevoix are producing decent catches of perch and trout. The Jordan and Boyne rivers are giving up good amounts of trout. Wigglers, minnows, and spawn are working well.
Saginaw Bay - The ice has left the bay
Burt & Mullett Lakes - Anglers are fishing for perch since both lakes still have ice. Many fish caught are in the 10 to12 inch range. Fishing in 18 to 40 feet of water with perch minnows works best.
Upper Peninsula:
No angling activity taking place on Copper Harbor this week, pretty much a transition period. The ice has melted.
Bergland anglers are catching a few perch on wigglers on the northeast side of Lake Gogebic. The ice is 10-inches thick and still very safe.
Escanaba anglers are reeling in a few perch north of Gladstone where the ice is still solid. For best results anglers are using minnows, wax worms, and wigglers.
Angling activity in the Marquette area is slow to non-existent mainly due to heavy snow received this week. When the snow starts melting the run off will be good for Coho.
In the Manistique area, some decent ice fishing is still taking place for perch since the ice remains two feet thick. The Manistique River is giving up a few steelhead but next week the activity will increase as the weather warms up.
Munuscong Bay is giving up some good perch on minnows and tear drops. Good action for perch on Cedarville Lake when angers use wigglers, wax worms or tear drops. The ice is still safe.
Sault Ste. Marie anglers are getting a few perch on Lake George, and Munuscong Bay with blacks and tear drops working well. Some whitefish are active in the St. Mary’s River.
Drummond Island anglers will find that perch are hit or miss around Harbor Island, when they are biting it is on minnows. Whitney Bay is good for perch action.
Musky Bay in the St. Ignace area has some perch to be caught, but anglers will really need to work at getting them. Wigglers seem to be working best.
Northwest:
Alanson anglers are having a rough week thanks to rain and snow this week. Angling activity is at a standstill. Burt Lake use caution the ice is diminishing.
In the Boyne City area, angling activity isn’t good this week due to rain and snow. A few perch have been pulled out of Lake Charlevoix.
Fishing in the Manistee area is decent for steelhead on the Big Manistee River using spawn. Pier fishing is slow, and fishing on the AuSable River is slow due to the water being so high from heavy rain this week.
In the Kalkaska area, Lake Skegemog is still safe for ice fishing and perch catches are decent. The steelhead are running in the Boardman River and Elk Rapids Dam.
In the Frankfort area steelhead are biting on the Betsie, as well as a few browns. Ice fishing is headed downhill at this point.
Fishing in the Gaylord area is not great at this point, the ice is not safe. A few steelhead running in the Boyne and Jordan rivers, and some pan fish being reeled in from Big Bear Lake and Lake Margrethe on wax worms, wigglers and minnows.
West:
In the Muskegon area the lake finally opened up and the ice is gone. The steelhead action is decent around the piers of Lake Michigan. Perch are hitting on live bait on Muskegon Lake and steelhead can be found off of the lower end of the lake.
In the Ludington area Lake Michigan is giving up some steelhead around the lighthouse pier. Steelhead and browns are active in the Pere Marquette River and Lake. A fishing tournament will take place this weekend for browns and steelhead that includes inland lakes and Lake Michigan. Call PM Sports for details 231-843-8676.
Southwest:
Around the New Buffalo area, the mouth of the Glen River leading out to Lake Michigan is doing well on browns, steelhead and Coho. No ice issues on the river.
In the Holland area the Black River is producing good catches of suckers and steelhead. Anglers are finding good results with salmon spawn, and night crawlers.
Slow activity around the Three Rivers area due to weather this week. A few steelhead being caught in Lake Michigan and some blue gill can be found in and around the channels.
Northeast:
In Oscoda, fishing is slow and the ice is not safe at this point. Steelhead action is decent just below the Foote Dam Pond when anglers use spawn, wax worms and flies.
Alpena angling action is picking up for steelhead, especially on Thunder Bay near the 9th Street Dam.
Limited action on Higgins Lake, anglers are fishing in 10-70 feet of water for decent catches of perch and using minnows and spikes. The ice remains safe.
Grayling anglers are finding some blue gill and perch on Fletchers Pond and a few perch being reeled in from Lake Margrethe. Ice remains 8-10 inches thick.
Around the AuGres area, suckers are active near the mouth of the river and the east branch of the AuGres is producing decent catches of steelhead.
East:
In the Linwood area, river fishing is starting to increase. Ice is not safe, even near the shore use extreme caution. Rain and windy conditions this week are hampering angling activity.
Wednesday, April 02, 2008
The End is Near
As the sun and warmer weather start hitting the ice this week things could get bad along the shoreline as far as getting out on the ice. I think this will be the last weekend for ice fishing in Northern Michigan.
Higgins Lake they are still getting out with perch and smelt still biting.
Ice conditions have changed! Two days of heavy rain and warm temperatures have opened the shore line in some places. Expect honeycomb conditions.
FISHING CONDITIONS ON LAKES CADILLAC AND MITCHELL
FROM PILGRIM VILLAGE FISHING SHOP
The DNR is recommending fishermen to stay off all lakes.
It may be time to head to the Manistee River for steelhead.
Sunday, March 30, 2008
Wagner Falls
I’m in the UP looking for a Boreal Owl and took a photo of Wagner Falls near Munising
Thursday, March 27, 2008
We Still Have Safe Ice
Many are still going out ice fishing with many still driving out on the lake with cars. We have lots of ice for this weekend. Remember your new fishing license April 1
Fishing has been good on many lakes with perch hitting on Portage Lake, Skegemog, Long Lake and some on Higgins Lake. Crystal Lake has a bite out in front of Cold Creek with some jumbos being caught. Great perch fishing on Munuscong Bay. Anglers are using wigglers, wax worms, tear drops and minnows with good results. The ice is very solid and safe.
Smelt fishing is good on Higgins Lake with in front of Big Creek being the hotspot.
Cadillac reports a good crappie bite early on minnows the after the sun comes up they are biting on waxworms,
Manistee Lake by Kalkaska reports a good gill bite the last few days, also Houghton Lake has been getting better every day.
Around the Boyne City area, Walloon Lake and Lake Charlevoix are producing decent catches of perch and trout. The Jordan and Boyne rivers are giving up good amounts of trout. Wigglers, minnows, and spawn are working well.
Saginaw Bay - The ice has left the bay
Upper Peninsula:
Copper Harbor anglers are seeing no activity this week, mainly due to the ice in the harbor melting. Not enough ice to get out and ice fish, but too much ice to launch a boat just yet.
In the Bergland area, the ice is still very solid, thick enough for four-wheelers to run about. Perch and crappie are active on the east shore near Eight Mile when using wigglers. Good crappie action out in front of the Gogebic Lodge, when using minnows.
Ice is still good around the Escanaba area. Whitefish are active off of the harbor. Blue gill are active on many inland lakes and anglers are finding decent results when using wax worms, spikes and tear drops.
Activity is extremely slow this week in the Manistique area. The ice remains over two feet thick, but has heavy snow and slush creating difficulty to get out and around.
Great perch fishing on Munuscong Bay. Anglers are using wigglers, wax worms, tear drops and minnows with good results. The ice is very solid and safe.
Fish just are not biting in the St. Ignace area the activity is poor even though the ice remains two feet thick.
Northwest:
Crooked Lake in the Alanson area is doing well for panfish and trout. Anglers are using minnows for best results. Burt Lake is good for perch when anglers can get right over top of them, otherwise you need to keep moving. Ice is still very strong but covered with heavy snow.
Around the Boyne City area, Walloon Lake and Lake Charlevoix are producing decent catches of perch and trout. The Jordan and Boyne rivers are giving up good amounts of trout. Wigglers, minnows, and spawn are working well.
In the Manistee area ice fishing is still taking place. A few browns have been caught off of the pier, but some heavy ice around the pier makes it difficult for anglers to get out at times. Some steelhead beginning to run in the Manistee River.
In the Kalkaska area, Torch, Elk and Skegemog lakes are giving up some whitefish and perch. Grey shiners and dead minnows under a Swedish pimple are working well.
Anglers in the Gaylord area are using small minnows to reel in some decent catches of perch, pike, and sunfish from many inland lakes. A few steelhead being caught in the Boyne River this week.
Cadillac angling activity is slow this week with only a few crappie being pulled from lakes Cadillac and Mitchell.
West:
Around the Muskegon area some steelhead on spawn can be found around the pier. Suckers are decent on the White River on crawlers.
In the Ludington area anglers are having some luck with suckers, steelhead, and browns on the Pere Marquette River. Hamlin Lake is producing a few blue gill, and Pere Marquette Lake is giving up a few perch.
Chippewa Lake is tremendous this week for blue gill and specs. Anglers are finding good results when using spikes and wax worms.
Angling activity in the Baldwin area is non-existent due to heavy snow and foul weather activity this week.
Southwest:
Fishing is ok this week in the Benton Harbor area since most of the ice has moved farther off shore. Around the pier some Coho, brown trout, whitefish and perch are biting on night crawlers, spawn and casting lures.
In the Kalamazoo area, the Allegan and Trow Bridge dams are giving up northern pike on three-inch shad and 12-inch suckers.
In the New Buffalo area, the mouth of the river is good for browns, steelhead and Coho. Ice is causing a problem for anglers trying to get out on the Lake, but the river is fine.
Northeast:
In Oscoda, fishing picked up a bit this week on Tawas Bay for walleye. Ice fishing is still taking place and decent catches of perch on wigglers, wax worms and minnows are ample. Steelhead action is picking up and anglers are finding good results with flies, wax worms and spawn.
Around Alpena steelhead can be located on Thunder Bay near the 9th Street Dam. Ice fishing is still taking place.
Good action for anglers on Higgins Lake this week. Minnows are working well on perch in 50 feet of water.
In the Grayling area, minimal action is taking place for anglers fishing Lake Margrethe. Only a few perch have been hooked using minnows.
Around the AuGres area the ice has deteriorated and angling action is at a standstill this week.
East:
In the Linwood area, a mixture of snow, and high winds has limited angling activity this week. The ice has deteriorated and is flowing. Steelhead action is on the increase and the shoreline remains the best location in about 3-12 feet of water to catch a few
Wednesday, March 26, 2008
Crystal Lake has Perch Bite
Getting reports today in front of Cold Creek they were getting jumbo perch some up to 16 inches. Do not know how long the bite will last but it was on today.
Portage Lake still has a good perch bite but many are small and a gill bite is on with waxworms working best.