Curly's Photo and Fishing Blog
Ice Fishing Getting Better
Lake City- Lake Missaukee is still producing good catches of panfish and some pike.
Indian Lake by Manistique is good for perch.
Lake Margrethe report a good walleye and pike bite.
Green and Duck Lake have went over by Interlochen
FISHING CONDITIONS ON LAKES CADILLAC AND MITCHELL
FROM PILGRIM VILLAGE FISHING SHOP
First ice on Lakes Cadillac and Mitchell is all we hope it would be. Fishing has been great! The ice is good, roughly 4 to 8 inches and making more daily. All species are cooperating. There’s something for everyone. Most on the ice this weekend were happy. See pictures of huge pike, crappies, bluegills and even walleye.
Fishermen love big pike and are catching limits. Set your tip-ups along the weed beds or drop offs. Most are caught in 5 to 10’ depths. Golden shiners or suckers have been the best baits. Those who prefer catching them on rods are using slammers or jigging with Rapalas. You must see all the pike pictures below. Remember we’ve only been on the ice a little more than a week. The largest, so far, has been a 38 inch caught by Tim Haysmer. Tim’s a better than average spear fisherman, but using tip-ups until spearing is legal.
Nice catches of Crappies and Bluegills are coming from both lakes. There’s no pattern because they’ve been caught on spikes, waxworms and mousees. All the dry baits are working. Just get your favorite in front of them. The east side of Cadillac has been popular. Most catches have been in 12 to 18 foot depths. Gills have been on the bottom while crappies are usually suspended above them. Prefer shallower water, the coves on Mitchell have been good in 6 to 10 foot depths.
For you non believers there are reports of walleyes in the 20 inch range and crappie fishermen using small minnow tell of catching undersized walleye. The past DNR plantings must have survived. Bill Rewa from Dorr, Michigan caught a 25 1⁄2” on a tip-up.
Next entry: Lake Margrethe is Still Good
Previous entry: Please Support The Sport Shop Selling Certified Bait.