Curly's Photo and Fishing Blog
Up North Fishing Report 3/19/09
North of M-55 we are still ice fishing with good ice some reporting 12 to 18 inches of good white ice. The photo above was taken today from Higgins Lake west access site.
Bluegill and crappie are starting to bite with a great crappie bite around Cadillac. Smelt fishing is off and on around Higgins lake this week.
Crystal Lake- Still had good smelt action at night off of Lobb Rd.!
Higgins Lake- The ice is holding however the white ice on top is expanding and starting the honeycomb effect. Anglers taking vehicles out on the ice need to use extreme caution. This weekend may very well be the last good weekend for ice fishing. The smelt action has been very good in 20 feet of water along the west side of the lake off Big Creek. Lake trout can still be found in 80 feet of water and the perch were holding in 20 to 40 feet of water. You can call Phoenix Park @ 989-821-7220 for info off the west access site and Sports Barn @ 989-821-9511 for info on the south-end of Higgins Lake
Lake Margrethe has good ice andperch and bluegill have started to bite Call Skipâ??s Sport Shop @ 989-348-7111 for the latest info.
Portage Lake by Onekama has been good for perch, and pike with some getting walleye right at dark. Call Osbornâ??s Sport Shop in Bear Lake @ 231-889-3775 or Donâ??s Sport Shop in Manistee @ 231-723-5028
Hamlin Lake- The ice has became unsafe in many spots. Call Pere Marquette Sport @ 231-843-8676 or Hamlin Grocery @ (231) 843-2058
The Eyes Have It reports great fishing in the Leroy area call Craig @ 231-768-5653
Houghton Lake - The ice is holding here as well however the shoreline ice has started to break up. Use caution when heading out. With most of the seasons now closed, anglers are seeking panfish. A handful of bluegills have been caught along the weeds in 6 to 8 feet of water.Dave at Four season Party Store says he has a honey hole and good crappie with some gills being caught and he says the ice is still good. He will show you where if you visit him at his store. Dave phone# 989-422-5230. Call Lymanâ??s Sport and Shanty Rental for info on the southshore weed bed@ 989-422-3231
Near the Kalkaska area, Fishing pressure has still been high. The ice was holding however the top few inches started to break down with the warm weather. Lots of anglers have been fishing for perch off the Baggs Road public access. Most are targeting 10 to 15 feet of water with minnows, wax worms, mousies and wigglers. Panfish activity has increased over the last week with anglers taking bluegill,pumpkinseed and rock bass near the access site or the Narrows in 12 to 15 feet of water. Elk Lake - Ice conditions are still good for anglers with portable shanties looking for lake trout or whitefish but no fish were reported in the creel. Some are targeting whitefish near Elk Rapids after dark when still-fishing with spawn in 50 to 60 feet of water.Call Jackâ??s Sport Shop for the latest info @ 231-258-8892
Lake St Helen has been good this week for panfish and has good ice. Call Malcoms Sport @ 989-389-2100 for latest info
Otsego Lake has a good perch bite . Call Stugeon Joe @ 989-732-5866 for the latest info.
Green Lake by Interlochen has been good for smelt off both access sites with halis and waxworms working best.
Big Glenn Lake- The anglers on Big Glen reported slow catch rates. A few perch in the 12 to 14 inch range were caught in 25 to 35 feet of water. The lake still has ice however caution needs to be used. Perch anglers have also caught fish on Little Glen. Try minnows along the edge of the weeds in 12 to 14 feet of water.
Traverse City - As of this report, both bays had ice. Anglers were fishing Bowers Harbor for perch and whitefish.
Betsie River - Some steelhead have been caught when using spawn or wax worms.
Lake Missaukee - Still has ice and continues to produce some panfish.
Lake Cadillac - Is still giving up good catches of panfish. Ice fishing here could be around for another week or two.
East Twin Lake - Has light fishing pressure and moderate catch rates for perch. The ice is holding however conditions are deteriorating in the warm weather. There is a lot of water on top of the ice. Anglers will want to use extreme caution and watch out for predrilled holes as water is draining and making the holes bigger. Be sure to wear cleats for easier travel.
West Twin Lake - Conditions here are the same as East Twin. Perch were slow.
Lake Mitchell - Ice anglers continue to catch panfish.
Little Bay De Noc - Walleye season is now closed and will reopen on May 15th. Though ice conditions remain favorable many area’s have open water or deteriorating ice along the shoreline and around the Islands. Some vehicles have broken through the ice in several locations. Extreme caution needs to be used. Catch rates for perch have been spotty but fish were caught north of the Narrows in 8 to 16 feet of water or 30 to 36 feet of water when jigging minnows. The deeper water produced the bigger perch. Night anglers have caught good numbers of burbot in front of the Day’s River. Fair whitefish action off Sand Point when jigging minnows and spawn in 80 feet of water or at Gladstone in 45 feet of water.
Cedarville and Hessel - Perch in Hessel Bay have moved towards the east end and can be found in 6 feet of water. Limited numbers of perch have also been caught in Musky Bay.
Big Manistique Lake - Still has ice but the pressure cracks have started to open up a little wider with the warmer weather. Slush and water are also on the ice. The walleye and pike season are closed however the perch fishing should remain into April if the ice holds on. The trick will be finding the schools of fish.
Rifle River - Sucker fishing in the river and other tributaries should begin as soon as the rivers recede a bit more and start to clear up.
Indian Lake in the Manistique area is producing plenty of perch. The action is rated as good when using minnows.
Brevort Lake is giving up plenty of good catches of blue gill and perch. Perch are biting in Christenson Bay as well.
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