Curly's Photo and Fishing Blog
Free Fishing Weekend a Flop
Free fishing weekend was a flop this year with valentines day along with the big warm-up very few ventured out this weekend.
Smelt were biting great on Higgins Lake, and some days they are biting during the day. It seems south of the west access site between east and road is the best spot. Small perch are still biting also.
Most report fishing has pick-up since the warm-up with oxygen getting back into the water with all the run-off.
FISHING CONDITIONS ON LAKES CADILLAC AND MITCHELL
FROM PILGRIM VILLAGE FISHING SHOP
Michigan is famous for weather changes! We had it all this past week. Record breaking 50 degrees, rain, and then back to normal winter. Many areas south lost their ice or it wasnâ??t safe. Not here. Weâ??re fishing on 12 to 14 inches of ice covered by a light dusting of snow. We no longer see trucks out there but the quads and snowmobiles are back. Gas augers are still the way to go.
Itâ??s no longer first ice where almost anyone catches their fill. You have to work. Pan fishermen need that early and late bite. Afternoons most panfish tend to be less active. During day light, crappies tend to rest and suspend at various depths in deeper water. When itâ??s dark, crappie move to the shallow weed areas and are usually hungry.
Fish the weed edges and breaks and your chances are good. The big and small coves on the west side of Lake Mitchell provide the perfect cover for them. Successful Panfishermen tell us both crappie and gills are biting light. Any suttle movement of your bobber or line set your hook. Many locals are still limiting out.
Northerns always seem to be hungry. They feed all day and are often most active in the afternoons when other fish have shut down. Theyâ??re great for those who like to sleep-in or are off the ice by dark. Mornings, mid day or afternoons are pike time.
Brian Geiger caught his first pike while fishing with his buddies, Derek Tonello and Brandon Eller. A healthy 27 ½ inch, over 4 pounds, caught on Lake Mitchell on a tip-up. All three friends were excited!
Six year old, Cammie Jo Leigh had two firsts in her life. One, first trip ice fishing with her dad and brothers. Second, first fish of her life, a 25 inch pike. The smile is priceless.
Rex Swinehart is back into spear fishing. Heâ??s had a limit of pike, a 28 inch and a 31 ¼ inch weighing 8.4 pounds. The fish shiver when they see him on Lake Cadillac.
While tip-up fishing on Lake Mitchell for pike, John English was surprised when he caught a 20 ½ inch walleye. Just enough for dinner for him and his wife.
Steelhead - Last weeks rain and warm weather jump started the steelhead on the Manistee River. Dan Derschied and Steve Emery had a successful trip. Theyâ??re pictured with 3 of 10 they caught. The other 7 were released to be caught another day. As spring approaches itâ??ll get better.
Smelt Fishermen
Higgins is the place to be. Many reports of super numbers of smelt coming from Higgins in the daylight and dark. Best catches seem to be in the 12 to 15 foot depths. More fun when thereâ??s less cranking. The traditional Smeltville in 50 to 60 foot depths has been hit or miss. Still plenty of ice there.
Green Lake, several of the permanent shacks were pulled during the warm up. Itâ??s normal to come home with 50 to 60. Doesnâ??t seem to get better or worse.
Crystal Lake, according to a bait shop in the Beulah area, the ice isnâ??t safe past railroad point. It will harden with the current temperatures.
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