Curly's Photo and Fishing Blog
Heavy Snow Hurts Ice
Many Lake are froze over in Northern Michigan and will be safe next week as 2 feet of snow has slowed the freezing process. Many shallow lakes out of the snow belt have 2 to 5 inches but use extreme caution. A few guys are getting out on Houghton Lake, and Muddy Bay on Wixom Lake but have not heard too much any where else. Things are improving but still not many venturing out yet but hear reports of some lakes with 6 inches of ice. Ice is just beginning to form in the region with some early reports of pike and bluegills being caught. Caution needs to be used especially on the first ice of the season. Strong winds will keep the large lakes open so anglers will want to fish the small, shallow lakes for now.
Northwest:
Manistee River - Those not affected by arctic weather will still find some steelhead for the taking.
Lake Missaukee - Had reports of anglers seeking panfish in shallow waters when using small jigs with wax worms.
Lake Cadillac - Ice fishing has started however anglers are reminded to use extreme caution. Most are pike fishing in shallow waters only as the ice is not solid in all areas of the lake. Shoreline ice is also breaking up easily. The lake had over a foot of snow cover which will make for slushy conditions.
Lake Mitchell - Ice anglers here are also starting to fish for pike, just be sure to stay in shallow waters only.
Fife Lake they are catching perch and a few pike.
Clam Lake some nice pike being caught.
Manistee Lake by Kalkaska is producing some perch and walleye but heavy snow has made it tough.
Little Glen is producing pike and perch.
Northeastern Lower Peninsula
Sturgeon River - Was producing some steelhead.
Alpena - Anglers were starting to fish inland lakes in the area however catch rates were slow. The weight of the snow on the ice will produce slush. For now, fish shallow waters only.
Grayling - Lakes in the area are frozen over but not safe yet.
Higgins Lake - Had shoreline ice only. The rest of the lake is open water and will stay that way until the winds subside.
Houghton Lake - Is getting ice, but also has snow cover. We have reports of ice anglers fishing in the East Bay and along the north shore.
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 but no report yet.
Otesego Lake they are catching pike but not many venturing out yet
Upper Peninsula
Lake Gogebic - Anglers were catching walleye in Bergland Bay. The ice is not safe yet on most lakes. One angler already fell through the ice on Lake Antoine in Dickinson County.
Little Bay De Noc - Anglers have started to head out ice fishing as there is very little snow cover on the bay. Most of the activity is north of Gladstone near Kipling however a few were also south of the Day’s River. Until the ice has more time to harden, most anglers are traveling on foot.
Indian Lake - Ice anglers were taking some perch, but caution needs to be used.
St. Mary’s River - A few perch were taken in Fowlers Bay.
Southeast Lower Peninsula
Small local lakes in Wayne, Oakland and Macomb Counties were starting to get a thin layer of ice on them however no safe ice to report at this time.
Lake Erie - Metro Park Marina is producing some panfish.
Huron River - Still has some steelhead for those willing to brave the cold.
Lake St. Clair - Ice has formed on the cuts and canals in shallow waters only. Not much activity to report yet. It has been too cold and windy.
Lexington - A couple anglers in the harbor caught a few perch and small rainbow trout. They are using the usual ice fishing methods and baits.
Saginaw Bay - A few anglers were creeping out on the cuts, canals and marina basins last week as shallow water fishing seems to be the only safe ice fishing at the moment. Some perch were caught out of a cut near Pinconning. Heavy snow is not helping with the formation of ice but instead pushing the ice down and creating slush. Anglers are encouraged to use extreme caution and stay in shallow waters. Best way to stay dry is to go someplace like a marina basin and fish off the docks. Anglers will use half a cement block tied to a rope to punch a hole in the ice; then sit on the dock and fish through the hole.
Southwest Lower Peninsula
St. Joseph River - Steelhead fishing continues to be fair. Boat anglers continue to do better than shore anglers. Spawn was the favored bait however a few fish were also caught on crank baits. River conditions continue to improve as heavy snow improved depth and flow considerably. Boat launches were still open from Berrien Springs to the lake.
Grand River at Grand Rapids - A good number of steelhead can still be found up near the Sixth Street Dam when floating spawn or near the post office when using a white jig. A few walleye were taken on body baits. Those trolling plugs have caught steelhead and walleye. Water levels are still a bit low so fish the deeper holes. There is ice above the dam.
Lansing - Ice can be found on the smaller lakes but still no safe ice to report in this area of the state. Those anxious to get out should fish in shallow waters only while exercising extreme caution. Snow cover will not only cause slush problems, but will also insulate the ice and slow the freezing process. River fishing is at a stand still.
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
Cadillac is digging out of the first winter storm of the season. Snowmobilers and skiers are extatic. Ice fishermen not so. The first real snow fall measures 14 inches on the level and more is expected along with cold, windy temperatures.
The brave have started ice fishing on lakes Cadillac and Mitchell! Current conditions show 3 to 5 inches of clear ice on selected parts of the lakes.
In some areas, the shoreline can be punky or wet. Expect to break through for the first ten feet or more and then come to solid ice.
The snow is not the ice fishermens friend but with the current strong winds, much of the snow is blowing off the lakes. Avoid any deep areas if youre going out and spud your way where ever you go. The popular areas were the Causeway on Lake Cadillac and the Big Cove on Lake Mitchell.
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