Curly's Photo and Fishing Blog
Ice Fishing Close
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.
Northwest:
Petoskey - Steelhead fishing continues for those surfcasting especially. Most are floating spawn bags in shallow waters.
Boardman River - Had rumors of steelhead hitting on spawn or wax worms.
Frankfort - Those surfcasting in the shallows have caught steelhead.
Manistee - Surfcasting is the way to go in windy conditions. Look for steelhead in the early morning or late evening.
Manistee River - Steelhead are still available for those tough enough to brave the arctic conditions.
Lake Missaukee - Has ice however no safe ice to report. Remember; first ice can be dangerous ice. Snow cover will insulate and slow the freezing process.
Lake Cadillac - Had ice however no safe ice to report. Cold weather this week will help the freezing process however heavy lake effect snow in the forecast will not.
Lake Mitchell - Also has ice, but no safe ice. No anglers were out yet but that could change by the weekend. Those anxious to get out are advised to fish in shallow waters only.
Pere Marquette River - Look for steelhead in the lower river
Northeastern Lower Peninsula
Alpena - The peak of the whitefish action is pretty much done for this year.
Thunder Bay River - Is freezing over and the launch ramp next to the Alpena Research Station is iced in. Shore anglers were catching small perch along with the occasional whitefish, steelhead or brown trout.
Au Sable River - Steelhead are still available for those willing to brave the cold temperatures. The lower river is still best for those floating spawn.
Tawas - Whitefish were still being caught off the state dock however catch rates were starting slow.
Au Gres - Still has whitefish but it won’t be long and this fishery will be done.
Upper Peninsula
Little Bay De Noc - Docks have been pulled out at the public access sites as boats are no longer going out. Open water fishing is pretty much done as it is starting to freeze up rather quickly with the onset of cold weather. The north end of the bay is starting to freeze over and ice is forming along the shoreline just south of Gladstone. There is no safe ice to report at this time.
Southeast Lower Peninsula
Detroit River - A few walleye were caught in the lower Trenton Channel. Anglers were jigging a large minnow near the hot water discharge off Gibraltar. For perch, no big numbers were caught but some nice fish were taken around Rat Island.
Lake St. Clair - Ice is starting to form in the canals however there is no safe ice.
St. Clair River - Has good musky fishing especially in the North Channel. Most anglers are jigging but a few were using sucker minnows if you can find them.
Saginaw Bay - Ice is just starting to form however no safe ice has been reported. Anglers might want to try fishing the shallow cuts and canals or off the docks in the marinas for perch. Boat anglers heading out to Spoils Island were catching walleye and perch but open water fishing may not last much longer.
Kawkawlin River - Last weekend, anglers were open water fishing for perch but the river has just frozen over.
Quanicassee River - Is also starting to freeze.
Southwest Lower Peninsula
St. Joseph River - This is the first report in a while without low water warnings. The river is not high by any means but is closer to normal winter levels and should continue to rise with all the snow. Steelhead fishing remains fair for those drifting spawn. Some decent fish are also being caught by those using crank baits. Boat anglers are consistently out fishing shore anglers. All the launches between Berrien Springs and the big lake were open and not iced in however lake effect snow will make using the launches a challenge.
Grand Haven - Those surfcasting may find some good steelhead action as more fish are apt to move into the shallows when there is wave action.
Grand River at Grand Rapids - Is still producing a fair to good number of steelhead all the way up to the Sixth Street Dam. Spawn bags and flies were the favored baits. Walleye were hitting on bucktail jigs, twister tails and body baits.
Lansing - Ice is starting to form on the inland lakes in mid-Michigan, but no safe ice yet. Anglers could be out by the weekend if the cold weather continues and we do not get a lot of snow.
Muskegon - Whitefish are still being caught in the early morning or late evening.
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
If you haven’t already - get your ice fishing equipment out of storage. Time to change line on your reels and tip-ups. Check your needs. There’s lots of NEW TACKLE for the 2010-11 Season. We’re about to start a new ice season.
As of Sunday, December 5th - Lake Mitchell has been completely frozen since Friday. We’re finding 2 inches on the general lake areas. NOT SAFE YET! Cold temps are predicted all week. If nothing changes, like a dump of snow, we’ll be on the ice by next weekend.
Lake Cadillac skimmed over completely Saturday, but definitely is not ready. Traditionaly, Lake Mitchell will have safe ice first. Normally the Big Cove or the State Park area have the best ice.
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