Curly's Photo and Fishing Blog
Warm Up is Welcomed
The coldest temp I heard in Lower Mich was 34 below in Grayling. This really screwed up fishing the last few days as it was too brutal to go fishing, then the snow put slush back on the ice. Fishing has been slow as many report you can go out for two days and not get a bite then bam fishing is awesome. Smelt fishing is ok and perch are being caught on Higgins and Crystal Lake.
Michigan’s largest winter festival takes place on January 28-30th. It’s the Diamond Anniversary +1 and promises to be bigger and better than ever before! Bookmark this site to keep up to date with all the activities planned for 2011. So starting making plans for the best fun that winter has to offer - Tip-Up-Town USA in wonderful Houghton Lake!
Avoid those areas near pressure cracks as well as inlets or outlets. Dead and distressed gizzard shad are still present in Saginaw Bay, Saginaw River, Lake Erie, Lake St. Clair, St. Clair River, Detroit River and their tributaries. The die-off is considered to be a natural kill and the Fisheries Division is aware of the situation.
Higgins Lake is still reporting a good perch bite with perch from 8 to 12 inches. Higgins Lake has not had perch this size in many years. Many are fishing off of Sam-O-Set Park using waxworms, wigglers and perch minnows. Fisherman are reporting they are biting real lite so spring bobbers a must. Many are fishing in 12 to 20 feet of water and look for weeds. Also the south-end of Higgins has a good perch bite so look for the crowds and weeds. Also the lakers and whitefish are biting with many happy anglers catching fish.
Many lakes have slowed down this week with the cold front, and the snow on the ice. Dave on Houghton Lake reports things have slowed for two days then they bite so there is no pattern right now and hopes the warm-up gets the fish biting. He has shanties to rent this weekend call 989-422-5230
Check out the facebook fishing report
Northwest:
Green Lake by Interlochen is producing smelt off the music camp, glow hali’s tipped with spikes and waxworms working best. Also the last few days lights are a must. Fisherman are getting out on the south access by the out let of the Little Betsie and doing good
Manistee Lake -Has a good pike bite right now with a few perch being caught
Lake Missaukee -Was good for panfish and pike were hitting on tip-ups with a variety of minnows.
Cadillac Area: Lake Cadillac - Catch rates were slow but should pick up with the warmer temperatures. For pike, some are using tip-ups while others are spearing. A few walleye and black crappie were caught mainly in the early morning or evening. Lake Mitchell - Has pike, walleye, crappie and bluegill. Catch rates are usually better through the week when there is less traffic on the ice.
Fife Lake they are catching perch,pike and some gills on waxworms.
Elk Lake has some brave soulds venturing out for Lake trout.
Manistee Lake by Kalkaska is producing some perch and walleye as the snow has settled.
Little Glen is producing pike and perch.
Big Glen has many trying but nobody id reporting any good bite as just a few perch being caught..
Lake Leelanau hasslowed on perch and walleye bite on the south end with some trout and walleye coming off the north-end. For bigger bluegills, try the south lake. Call the Fishook for the latest bite @ 231-256-9496
Long Lake is producing walleye and perch but the catch the catch rate has slowed this week.
Portage lake is safe with some pike being caught with some perch and walleye. Hoping the perch start biting soon
Skegemog is producing perch with many small ones nowand big pike with wigglers and perch minnows working best for the perch.
Lake Bellaire they are just starting to venture out on and a few big walleye being caught.
Around Leroy has safe ice with a good pike bite and panfish.
Lake Charlevoix - Walleye have been caught in the South Arm. Pike numbers appear to be on the increase as well as the overall size. Tip-ups with live bait seem to be working the best.
Intermediate Lake - In Antrim County also has walleye anglers targeting the south end of the lake.
Manistee River -Not a lot of reports have come in since the return of arctic weather. Those brave enough to head out should still find some steelhead to catch.
Some are starting to get back out on Mullet, Black and Burt but be very careful.
Spider and Arbutus Lake by TC have been good for panfish
Haymarsh Lakes - In Mecosta County, were producing limit catches of bluegill.
Crystal Lake is froze many verturing out to the perch grounds and catching some nice perch.
Hamlin Lake - Should also be giving up bluegill, crappie and perch. For crappie, try the drop-off along the Narrows. For walleye, try just south of the Narrows and fish early morning or late evening.
Northeastern Lower Peninsula
Higgins Lake -Smelt have been caught in the evening along the west side of the lake between Big Creek and the North State Park. The fish are suspended in 30 to 40 feet of water. Lake trout and whitefish are still in the North Bay in 80 to 100 feet of water. Try gray shiners for lake trout or wax worms and wigglers for whitefish. Those pike spearing off Sam-O-Set Park have taken fish in 15 to 18 feet of water. Perch were also caught in the same area in 20 to 40 feet of water however anglers will need to sort out the small ones. Perch can still be found off Point Detroit and Flag Point.
Houghton Lake -Has safe ice with lots of small pike and walleye being caught. Still has good walleye action along the north shore and in the East Bay in 8 to 11 feet of water along the drop. Pike action is also good on the south end when using tip-ups. Panfish are hard to find and the bite is slow. Dave at Four Season Party Store in Houghton Lake is catching walleye and will give you info where his shanty is you can call or visit him at his store phone# 989-422-5230. Also he has started to rent shanties this week so give him a call. Also Dave got a shipment of Otter shanties in for sale.
Tawas - Fishing was slow but perch anglers were still targeting waters 15 to 20 feet deep and 20 feet for walleye. Pike spearing was slow because of muddy water.
Lake Margrethe has ice and the fishing has slowed for perch, and afew walleye and pike are being caught..
Otsego Lake off the state park has been good for pike, perch, and some are trying there luck for strugeon Bradford Lake a few are getting out perch fishing. Chub lake trout have been biting on blues
Harrison report all the lakes are froze and have safe ice with panfish and pike biting great with first ice.
Lake St Helen has a good pike and panfish bite with a few walleyes being caught.
West Branch has safe ice with many pike and gills being caught
Black Lake - Was producing some nice perch but catch rates were slow. A few muskie were also caught..
Wixom Lake has slowed with many fishing off the access site reporting catches of gills and pike. Crappie have started to bite.
Grand Lake - Is producing some perch and panfish. For pike and walleye, try tip-ups in Whiskey Bay or Black Bass Bay.
Long Lake - Try tip-ups with a minnow on the bottom for northern pike. Those looking for perch will want to fish along the north and south shores.
Mullett Lake - Ice conditions are generally good; however, there are a few pressure cracks starting to form. Anglers should avoid those areas near the pressure cracks. A few perch were caught on minnows and wigglers in 25 to 40 feet of water. Spearing for pike and musky was slow and no reports on walleye.
Hubbard Lake - Is producing a few walleye.
McCollum Lake - In Oscoda County, is producing good numbers of panfish.
Sugar Springs, Wiggins and Pratt Lake have been good for pike and a few gills being caught.
Secord Lake has had a good bite this winter for big crappie and pike.
Upper Peninsula
Lake Gogebic - Is producing some walleye. Most anglers were taking one or two legal size fish.
Keweenaw Bay - Steelhead and menominee are being caught on the east side near L’Anse. A few smelt were taken at the head of the bay.
Menominee River - The bite has been slow with few fish caught.
Little Bay De Noc - Has ice north of the Narrows and south towards the Escanaba River, however; ships are still moving in and out of the southern bay. This area is very dangerous and should be avoided. Walleye fishing was slow but has picked up in recent days. Many are fishing late evening along the First, Second and Center Reefs. Try tip-ups with sucker minnows in 18 to 25 feet of water. Good catches off the east bank near Kipling for day anglers jigging rapalas with minnows or tip-ups in 16 to 35 feet of water. Same area had fair to good perch catches using minnows. Bigger walleye were caught off the Terrace Bay Inn and south to the Escanaba River when using tip-ups with sucker minnows in 25 to 32 feet of water. Good perch action off the Center Reef when jigging minnows in 16 to 30 feet of water. Most of the fish were running 10 inches or bigger.
Munising - Ice is forming in the bay. Whitefish and splake have been caught.
Indian Lake - Ice conditions are poor near the mouth of the Indian River, just north of the beach on the west shore, and both north and south of the Lange’s Boat Launch. Anglers are advised to stay in the area where other anglers are and not venture towards any of the areas mentioned above. Also be careful near the large pressure crack running north and south right down the middle of the lake. The gates at the dam have been closed so water levels are down. Those drilling holes near the rock pile need to be careful. More walleye and pike were caught on the north end in waters up to 10 feet deep. Try tip-ups with 2 inch minnows, or for walleye, try a Swedish Pimple with or without a minnow. A fair to good number of perch were still being caught off the northeast corner. Most were 6 to 7 inches however a few bigger ones were also caught.
Munuscong Bay - Walleye catches have slowed. The fish are scattered and can be found as deep as 30 feet. Perch fishing was also slow, try shallow waters 3 to 6 feet deep.
Cedarville and Hessel - Cold weather had a negative impact on catch rates. Persistent anglers are catching perch along the far eastern side or the west side of Hessel Bay in 6 to 14 feet of water. Wigglers and minnows worked best. Fishing in Musky Bay has slowed but more ice shanties are popping up. Fair catches of perch were reported by some when using wigglers, wax worms or minnows.
Southeast Lower Peninsula
Lake Erie - Anglers are heading out to deep water to fish for walleye in Brest Bay; however few reports have come in. Some are still fishing for bluegills in the Metro Park Marina and around the Banana Dike.
Huron River - Still has shelf ice with only a thin stream of open water down the middle.
Detroit River - Perch anglers are still ice fishing in Airport Bay and the open waters in the marina at Gibraltar.
Lake St. Clair - Watch for thin ice way out and near the Clinton River where the current affects the freezing process. Perch fishing was hit-or-miss.
Lexington - Anglers are out but catch rates were spotty. Most of the perch were small but a few bigger ones were also caught. More rainbow trout were caught by those using jigs and teardrops with minnows or wax worms.
Saginaw Bay - Those heading out five miles off Palmer Road caught some walleye in 12 to 18 feet of water. Small perch were caught closer to shore. Off Linwood, perch anglers caught fish a mile out and walleye were caught in the Black Hole in 20 feet of water. Near Quanicassee, perch were caught off Vanderbilt Park. A few walleye were caught 12 miles off Thomas Road and perch near Tietz Drain. A lot of anglers at Bay Port and Mud Creek, but catch rates for perch were spotty. At Caseville, a couple lake trout were taken near the breakwall.
Tittabawassee River - Is ice covered however ice conditions are poor. No fishing activity at this time.
Saginaw River - Ice conditions were improving some. Most of the walleye caught were sublegal but a few keepers were reported. Small walleye were the common catch between the mouth and Saginaw. A few perch were caught from the mouth to the Independence Bridge.
Southwest Lower Peninsula
St. Joseph River - Steelhead fishing has been good below the Berrien Springs Dam. Warmer weather this week should help reduce shelf ice.
Coldwater Lakes - Are producing some bluegills in the early morning or evening.
Gull Lake - Smelt, yellow perch, and lake trout are being caught.
Gun Lake - Had fair to good bluegill fishing.
Duck Lake - In Calhoun County, is producing bluegills in the early morning in 10 to 15 feet of water.
Grand River at Grand Rapids - Steelhead have been caught below the Sixth Street Dam. Watch for shelf ice.
Grand River at Lansing - A lot of pike have been caught on minnows below the dams at Moore’s Park and North Lansing. Walleye were caught at both locations.
Jordan Lake - Perch and bluegills were caught just off the bottom.
Lake Lansing - Is producing a lot of pike on tip-ups with sucker minnows. Most of the fish are running small but anglers are having fun.
Muskrat Lake - Had decent bluegill and crappie action. Look for bluegill straight out from the boat launch and crappie along the drop-off on the west side of the lake in 10 to 16 feet of water.
Muskegon River - Some walleye were caught in the Hardy Dam Pond. Those spearing pike reported good success with some nice fish taken.
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
It’s not first ice any more! We’re experiencing the coldest temperatures of the year. It’s windy , snowy and we’re having trouble keeping our holes open. The fish are there but it’s been difficult catchng them.
The 80/20 rule is in effect. Twenty percent of the fishermen catch 80% of the fish regardless of conditions.
Those with electronics all mark fish but getting them to bite is another story. Anglers with underwater cameras are just as flustrated. We see them, mark them, but are catching few.
Even out favorite, the northern pike are tripping tip-ups, running a short distance then dropping the baits. Those using quick strike rigs have curred the problem by setting the hooks right away. Those waiting for the pike to swallow the bait, then set the hook are coming up empty.
Often when we mark them, the crappie and gills seem to cluster around our baits - almost motionless, but not biting. They don’t want to chase a bait or even seem interested. Sometimes using tiny micro jigs tipped with a single maggot will entice them to bite. Try a very smooth, suttle jig. At times they’ll even inhale a bait but not move, just suspend there. There’s no movement at all on your rod or spring bobber. Without electronics or a camera you’ll never know they’re there. A different color jig will often make a difference. It’s time to experiment.
These conditions are not unique to Cadillac and Mitchell. Other area lakes are experiencing the same conditions. Soon the storms will pass. The baromiter will change and we’ll be back to normal.
Lyman’s Ice Shanty Rental
Our shanties are located on the South Shore
weedbed of Houghton Lake.
Northern Pike are very good and the occasional Walleye will be caught in this location.
Shanty rental includes transportation to and from the shanty and a propane heater.
Reservations are recommended.
Rates
From 7:00 am till 7:00 pm. With heat and transportation out there.
2 Man $35.00
4 Man $40.00
6 Man $50.00
Sleeper Shanty Sunday-Friday $80.00 Friday And Saturday $100.00
From 8am/8am
NORTHERN MICHIGAN WEATHER
Jan 27 Tonight
Snow flurries early. Cloudy with a few snow showers possible late at night. Low 22F. Winds WNW at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of snow 30%.
Jan 28 Tomorrow
Intermittent flurries and snow showers, especially early. High near 25F. Winds NW at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of snow 30%.
Jan 28 Tomorrow night
Snow likely. Low 21F. Winds ESE at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of snow 80%. 1 to 2 inches of snow expected.
Jan 29 Saturday
A few snow showers. Highs in the low 20s and lows in the mid teens.
Jan 30 Sunday
Cloudy with flurries. Highs in the low 20s and lows in the mid teens.
Jan 31 Monday
Snow showers at times. Highs in the upper teens and lows in the upper single digits.
Feb 1 Tuesday
A few snow showers. Highs in the upper teens and lows in the upper single digits
.
Feb 2 Wednesday
A few snow showers. Highs in the low teens with temperatures nearly steady overnite.
Feb 3 Thursday
Mostly Cloudy. Highs in the low 20s and lows in the mid teens.
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