Most bait-shops report no customers the last two days as many wait for the weather to warm up this weekend so we will be fishing again. Smelt fishing on Green lake has been slow as the most I have heard of this week was 50 but they are catching some pike
Pickford Area
With up to a foot of ice and a foot of snow on Munuscong Bay, anglers are getting out and catching good numbers of walleyes and perch. Minnows have produced the best results for both species. Perch and northern pike are hitting in Lake Michigan at Cedarville, where there was up to 10 inches of ice last week. Snowshoe hare hunting has been slow to get started.
Dan’s Resort (906) 647-8753
Curtis Area
There was up to 24 inches of ice on Manistique Lakes last week, and anglers were driving out to their favorite fishing spots. The walleye bite has been pretty good in the mornings and evenings, and minnows have produced the best results. Good numbers of northern pike have been caught, too, but most have been undersized. There was about 12 inches of snow on the ice, and travel was pretty good. Rabbit and coyote hunting has been fair.
Garden Area
There was a foot of ice on Indian Lake last week, and the perch and walleye bites have been good. Fishing has been tough on Lake Michigan’s Big Bay de Noc, with rough ice and heavy snow making travel difficult. Perch fishing should be good when the winds blow in and smooth out the ice. Predator and rabbit hunting pressure has been light.
The Garden Sport Shop, (906) 644-2908.
Foxy’s Den, (906) 644-2817.
Escanaba Area
There was up to a foot of ice on Lake Michigan’s Little Bay de Noc last week, and fishing there has been good. Perch are hitting minnows and wax worms fished in 25 to 26 feet of water along the shipping channel. Walleyes also are hitting along the shipping channel and off the beach house in Gladstone. Early mornings and right before dark have produced the best bites. Predator hunting has been fair, but hunting pressure has been light
Bay View Bait & Tackle, (906) 786-1488.
BayShore Resort Bait & Tackle (906) 428-2950.
L’Anse Area
Inland lakes are solid, and panfish, walleyes, and northern pike have been caught on Parent and Alberta lakes. Lake Superior’s Keweenaw Bay was flirting with safe ice last week, and the season there should get started soon. Anglers are anticipating a good lake trout season after the outstanding summer catches that were reported. There was about a foot of snow on the ground in L’Anse, with lots more in the Keweenaw Peninsula. Predator hunting has been good.
Indian Country Sports, (906) 524-6518.
Bergland Area
Lake Gogebic ice conditions are good, with up to 12 inches of ice and a foot of snow on top. There are some slush pockets with 4 to 6 inches of slush. ATV travel is best with a set of chains. Walleyes are hitting sucker minnows and jigging baits mostly during low-light conditions in 7 to 14 feet of water. Some northern pike are being caught, too. Perch are hitting wigglers fished in 20 to 25 feet of water.
Bear’s Nine Pines Resort, (906) 842-3361.
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Northern Michigan Fishing Reports
Northern Lower Peninsula Fishing Report – January 3rd, 2014
Posted on Thu, 02 Jan 2014
East Jordan Area
Heavy slush on Lake Charlevoix last week put a clamp on ice fishing just as the action was heating up. There was 30 inches of snow on 5 inches of ice and slush was everywhere. Coyote and rabbit hunting has been slow to get started in Charlevoix County.
Tom’s Bait & Tackle, (231) 536-3521.
Traverse City Area
Winter steelheading has been good on the Boardman, Betsie, and Big Manistee rivers. Wigglers and wax worms have produced the best action when drifted under floats. There was up to 30 inches of snow on the ground, so anglers were using snowshoes to access the rivers. Inland lakes like Arbutus and Spider were giving up good numbers of bluegills, crappies, and sunfish. Hunting pressure has been light, but a few coyotes have been killed.
MC Sports
Cadillac Area
There was up to 6 inches of ice on lakes Mitchell and Cadillac last week, but heavy snow was making some slush, and travel was getting dicey. Pike fishing has been good, but anglers are having to sort through their catch for the keepers. A few walleyes have been caught on jigging Rapalas, and crappies are hitting minnows and wax worms. There was up to a foot of snow on the ground, and rabbit hunting is off to a good start. Predator hunting has been slow to get started, but could pick up soon.
Schaefer’s Bait & Sporting Goods, (231) 775-7085.
Pilgrim Village Fishing Shop, (231) 775-5412.
Houghton Lake Area
Pike fishing has been good on Houghton Lake, where there was between 10 inches and a foot of ice last week. Good numbers of perch and a few walleyes have been caught, too. The best action has come in 8 to 10 feet of water in East Bay. There was up to a foot of snow on the ground, and predator and rabbit hunting pressure has been light.
Lyman’s on the Lake, (989) 422-3231.
Higgins Lake Area
Safe ice was still forming on Higgins Lake last week. There was about 3 inches of ice under 8 inches of snow. Hunting pressure has been light. There was about a foot of snow in the woods. Predator hunting and rabbit and hare hunting have both been slow to get started in the area.
Hubbard Lake Area
There was up to 18 inches of snow and 5 inches of ice on East Bay of Hubbard Lake last week, and ice fishing has been tough. Heavy slush has made travel difficult. A few walleyes have been caught in the bay and off Hill Street at the south end of the lake.
Side Door Bait and Tackle, (989) 736-6418.