Curly's Photo and Fishing Blog
Another Storm
We have been hit hard with freezing rain today so very little fishing.
Yesterday was great as fishing was prime with great reports from the deeper lakes. Higgins, Big Glen Lake, Portage Lake and Crystal are all reporting a good perch bite,with only Crystal reporting a great smelt bite.
Bluegills bite has been scarce lately, but heard reports of a good bite on Lake St. Helen. Some gills have been reported in the Lakeview and Greenville area.
Walleye have been fair on Houghton Lake, Long Lake by TC, Lake Leelanau and Mullet Lake.
There has been a good perch bite on White Lake, call Johnson’s Outdoor in Montague at 231-893-6688
FISHING CONDITIONS ON LAKES CADILLAC AND MITCHELL
FROM PILGRIM VILLAGE FISHING SHOP
This has been a great Michigan Winter especially if you like blizzards, freezing rain and lots of snow. Nothing bothers the snowmobilers but conditions have hampered fishing. Best to invest in a good shanty for the weather changes. There has been light fishing pressure on Lakes Cadillac and Mitchell.
About a foot of crusty snow is covering a foot plus of solid ice on both our lakes. A gas auger is necessary if you expect to cut many holes. Soon slush will accumulate under the snow.
The barometer has been up and down with the storms. One day fishing is great; the next catching is slim from the same areas and holes.
One fish, pike don’t seem to be bothered by anything and are always hungry. Tip-up and spear fishermen have been doing well. Try the two coves on Mitchell for the numbers. Many undersized but lots of action before gaffing the 30” ones. Lately the State Park area on Mitchell has accounted for several nice ones, especially the weed beds near the beach. This area has been good for an occasional walleye about the time the street lights come on.
On Lake Cadillac the Kenwood Park area has been good. Try the weed beds out far enough that you can see down the canal. The weed beds east of the Sands Resort have also been producing.
Panfishing has been hot and cold. Some days we mark them or see them with cameras but few bites. Other day’s limits have been easy.
Crappies are back at the west side of Cadillac. Eight foot depths seem to be best especially late afternoons. They’re shrinking. Most we’ve seen have been hand sized to 10 inches. Larger crappies are coming from the Coves on Mitchell, but fewer numbers.
Mixed catches of gills, crappie and perch are coming from the High School area on Lake Cadillac. For descent perch, fish 20 foot depths and deeper and they’ll be on the bottom. A few walleyes are also coming from these depths.
Smelt fishing is cranking up with reports of catches on Green, Higgins and Crystal Lakes.
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