Curly's Photo and Fishing Blog
Fishing is Good in Northern Michigan
How quickly Michigan’s weather changes. New Years Weekend we saw 50 degree temperatures, rain and wind gusts up to 40 MPH. The combination ate up the snow and left standing water on the lakes. The same weekend the temps fell over night to the teens with flurries making things white again.
The snow melted from the lakes and is making new ice as I write. We didn’t lose much and even have better ice in some areas. There’s a light snow cover but the lakes are slick. Wear creepers and avoid a fall. As before, use your spud to check the ice where ever you go, even places you may have fished before.
The northern Lower Peninsula and the Upper Peninsula have ice fishing however the southern half of the Lower Peninsula has mixed reports. The rain and thaw did a number on some of the ice, and though it is refreezing, there is honeycomb ice in some areas, and honeycomb ice is not safe ice. Anglers need to use extreme caution due to the fact that ice formation is not consistent. Those heading out especially in the southern reaches of the state are reminded to use the buddy system, take a cell phone, check the ice ahead of you and wear a personal flotation device. Also, it is a good idea to only fish waters that you are familiar with.
For those of us who ice fish the weekend the weather turned out to be an advantage! Without the heavy snow cover it’s making thicker strong clear ice.
Check out the facebook fishing report
Northwest:
Green Lake by Interlochen is producing smelt off the music camp with spies and waxworms.
Manistee Lake -Has a good pike bite right now with a few perch being caught
Lake Missaukee - Has ice and anglers are doing well on panfish. Some limit catches were reported. Pike have been taken on tip-ups and by spear.
Cadillac Area: Lake Cadillac - Lots of folks are ice fishing and we have reports of good panfish action where some limits of bluegill and crappie have been taken. Those using tip-ups have caught walleye and pike. Spearing action for pike has also been good. Lake Mitchell - Also has plenty of ice fishing activity for bluegill, crappie and pike.
Some of the local fishermen are doing well on walleye. Their choice of tackle has been light line tip-ups baited with medium sized blue shiners. Jigging Rapalas are also taking their share. We’ve seen impressive numbers and better then average size for our lakes. Lake Mitchell has been more consistent then Lake Cadillac with even a limit or two.
Fife Lake they are catching perch and pike.
Clam Lake some nice pike being caught.
Manistee Lake by Kalkaska is producing some perch and walleye as the snow has settled.
Little Glen is producing pike and perch.
Lake Leelanau has a good perch and walleye bite on the south end
Long Lake is producing walleye and perch with limit catches of walleye.
Portage lake is safe with lots of pike being caught with some perch and walleye
Skegemog is producing some nice catches of perch and big pike with wigglers working best.
Lake Bellaire they are just starting to venture out on and a few walleye being caught.
Around Leroy has safe ice with a good pike bite and panfish.
Lake Charlevoix - Anglers are fishing the South Arm for walleye.
Intermediate Lake - In Antrim County also has walleye anglers targeting the south end of the lake.
Manistee River - Look for steelhead movement with warm temperatures and possible rain by the end of the week. Those fly fishing below Tippy Dam were still catching some nice fish.
Some are startinfg to get back out on Mullet, Black and Burt but be very careful.
Spider and Arbutus Lake by TC have been good for panfish
Northeastern Lower Peninsula
Higgins Lake -Is froze over and many are going out off the south=end and table top, only a few venturingoff the west access site and only going out a few feet to fish for rainbows.
Houghton Lake -Has safe ice with lots of small pike and walleye being caught. The reports have been very good. Dave at Four Season Party Store in Houghton Lake is catching walleye and will give you info where his shanty is you can call or visit him at his store phone# 989-422-5230. Also he has started to rent shanties this week so give him a call.
Tawas - Skim ice was reported on most of the inland lakes in the area. Some brave anglers were catching a few panfish on Tawas Lake and some of the smaller lakes in the region. Anglers need to use extreme caution.
Lake Margrethe has ice and the fishing has been very good for perch, walleye and pike.
Otesego Lake they are catching pike, walleye also some perch, Bradford Lake afew are getting out perch fishing. Chub lake trout have been biting
Harrison report all the lakes are froze and have safe ice with panfish and pike biting great with first ice.
Lake St Helen has a good pike and panfish bite with a few walleyes being caught.
West Branch has safe ice with many pike and gills being caught.
Wixom Lake has been hot with many fishing off the access site reporting limit catches of gills and many pike.
Grand Lake - Some anglers were out ice fishing for perch however catch rates were slow and the fish were running small.
Long Lake - Try tip-ups with a minnow on the bottom for northern pike. Those looking for perch will want to fish along the north and south shores.
Higgins Lake - Is ice covered witha few guys are fishing shallow water on the west side with the south end many are getting in deep water and nice pike are being caught.
Upper Peninsula
Most inland lakes in this region have ice. Anglers are heading out and fishing but not many reports have come in yet. Anglers are reminded to use caution when traveling on the ice. The fishing is good but most Yoopers like to drive to there favorite spot and the ice is not think enough yet
Newberry - Inland lakes in the area are frozen however ice thickness may not be consistent, so be sure to use extreme caution and the check the ice as you go.
Manistique Lake - Walleye action was fair to slow on both South and Big Manistique Lakes. Most are using tip-ups with minnows.
Munuscong - Perch fishing is good off Grassy Island, the middle of the Bay and in Fowlers bay. There are shacks out on Musky Bay and Hessel Bay, but extreme caution needs to be used. The ice is still not consistent and can change from 8 to 12 inches down to 2 or 4 inches instantly, which has happened in unusual places. Anglers have gone through the ice and some have lost their life. Be careful!Munuscong - Perch fishing is good off Grassy Island, the middle of the Bay and in Fowlers bay. There are shacks out on Musky Bay and Hessel Bay, but extreme caution needs to be used. The ice is still not consistent and can change from 8 to 12 inches down to 2 or 4 inches instantly, which has happened in unusual places. Anglers have gone through the ice and some have lost their life. Be careful!
Southeast Lower Peninsula
Lake Erie - Those fishing in 4 or 5 feet of water off the Metro Park Marina have caught bluegills around the docks when using spikes and wax worms. Perch were hitting on wigglers and shiners in the main channel.
Huron River - Water levels have gone back down and some big steelhead were caught by those floating a jig and wax worm under a bobber.
Detroit River - Had good perch fishing in and around the canals near Gibraltar. Some are fishing off private docks while others are in small boats. Airport Bay also had good perch fishing in 3 feet of water. Most are using Frenchmen’s Creek for access to the bay.
Lexington - Ice anglers in the harbor are getting some perch and rainbow trout when using wax worms and minnows.
Saginaw Bay - Some perch have been caught in shallow waters 2 to 5 feet deep. The ice does not go out far enough for effective walleye fishing, but a few were caught in shallow waters.
Saginaw River - The ice is not safe yet so anglers are advised to stay off the river and wait for a longer stretch of much colder weather.
Southwest Lower Peninsula
Anglers are fishing on some lakes however extreme caution needs to be used. Ice thickness is not consistent. Shoreline ice and areas near inlets and outlets are not safe because of the current. Cold weather this week should help with the freezing process. Bluegills are now in their mid-winter pattern so fish in the morning or evening with spikes and wax worms.
St. Joseph River - The cold nights have caused slush and light ice flow in the mornings but they usually dissipate around the middle of the day. For those wanting to fish early, be sure to check the river before launching. Look for fishable waters by heading upstream near the dams where the current keeps those areas open. Fishing should be steady, but will improve with any warm-ups bringing more fish from the big lake.
Grand River at Grand Rapids - Steelhead are still being caught on spawn bags. Higher water levels brought in more fish. Walleye were also caught.
Grand River at Lansing - A few were fishing Moore’s Park for walleye and steelhead however catch rates were slow.
Lake Lansing - Ice thickness is not consistent so anglers need to use caution. Until the lake freezes up good, it would be wise to fish in shallow waters only.
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
After a slow start, the panfish bite finally started. Getting reports of limits from Cadillac and Mitchell. Usually the beter catches have some crappie up to 12 inches and hand-sized gills.
Jerry Lawhead, on the areas better fishermen, shows a
limit of panfish. Largest crasppie measured 12 1/2 inches.
If you’d rather catch pike or try for walleye, you’ve come to the right lakes. Tip-up and spearing catches have been good. We see many northerns over 30 inches. Walleye have been hit or miss but using the basic equipment as pike. Your chances are there.
The ink never dries on the Pilgrim Village Pike Spearng Board. Count on daily changes.
First Place William Beaver 38” 12.4 lbs. Cadillac
Second Place Ron Paddock 35 1/4” 8.2 lbs. Missaukee
Third Place John Collins 33 1/2” 6.8 lbs. Cadillac
Fourth Place Jared Newille 32 1/2” 6.11 lbs. Cadillac
Fifth Place Ryan Quist 32 1/4” 7.6 lbs. Mitchell
Sixth Place Gary Swiger 32 1/2” 6.0 lbs. Mitchell
Seventh Place Harrison Krantz 32” 7.2 lbs. Missaukee
Eighth Place James Cornelius 32” 7.1 lbs. Mitchell
William Beaver with 38”, 12.4 lb. pike speared on Lake Cadillac. Ron Paddock with 35 1/4” pike speared on Lake Missaukee.
The Youth Division
First Place 13 year old, Tyler McConnel 28 1/2” 7.10 lbs. Mitchell
Second Place 9 year old, Andrew Lobbezoo 26” 3.8 lbs. Mitchell
Tyler McConnell with 28 1/2” bowfin speared on Lake Mitchell. Andy Lobbezoo speared a 26” pike on Lake Mitchell.
Lakes Cadillac and Mitchell are perfect for spearing. Relatively shallow lakes with good numbers of large pike and rough fish (bowfin, bullheads or suckers).
Thinking walleye.
Lyman’s Ice Shanty Rental
Our shanties are located on the South Shore
weedbed of Houghton Lake.
Northern Pike are very good and the occasional Walleye will be caught in this location.
Shanty rental includes transportation to and from the shanty and a propane heater.
Reservations are recommended.
Rates
From 7:00 am till 7:00 pm. With heat and transportation out there.
2 Man $35.00
4 Man $40.00
6 Man $50.00
Sleeper Shanty Sunday-Friday $80.00 Friday And Saturday $100.00
From 8am/8am
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