Pentwater Angler Reports Most of the snow has blown off and the Perch Grounds off the marina in front of the bait shop are only a hundred yards or so off the parking lot. Not a bad place to try if you’re looking for one of the easiest places to try your ice fishing skills. The have a perch Tournament Feb 8 and the perch are biting and has been the hotspot this year.
Pentwater Lake Perch Fishing Tournament
8am – 4pm
Register at Pentwater Angler@ 231-869-5357 or www.pentwater.org
The longest perch. Tournament pays down to three prizes with %100 payout. 1st, 2nd, 3rd place trophies for kids.
$5 per adult
$2 per kid
$10 per family
For more information call Joe 231-869-8681
Lindsey Blumberg 25″ Pike, Lake Missaukee. Way to go Lindsey!
Higgins Lake has been hot for Lake trout the last couple weeks and Kirstie Kelly Wakeley has proof
East and West Grand Traverse Bay are froze and good lake trout and whitefish.
Northwestern Michigan
East and West Grand Traverse Bay are froze and guys are getting out so this might be the best bet this weekend for whitefish, Lake trout and perch.
Green Lake: In Grand Traverse County is producing some smelt and big pike. Smelt have been slow with the arctic front. red spikes, white spikes, waxworms with a hali jig have been the best bet. Ice is good at both landing with many shanties out off the south access .
Skegemog- Perch were biting but nobody out this week Call Jack’s Sport Shop@231-258-8892
Fife Lake- Fife Lake fishing Derby is this Sat Feb 8 Lakeside Party @ 231-879-3341 for latest info
Portage Lake- Slow this week Call Osborne’s@ 231-889-3775 for latest fishing report. Also Don’s Sporting Goods@ 231-723-5028
Hamlin Lake- Slow this week too much snow Hamlin Grocery@(231) 843-2058 and Capt. Chucks @ (231) 843-4458
Lake Missaukee- Is producing a few perch and crappie. The better fishing is usually along the weed beds on the west side of the lake with a minnow or spike. Pike have started to bite Call Miller Corner@ 231-839-0440.
Crystal Lake: Lobb road has been ok for smelt and perch has excellent smelt fishing at night in 45 to 50 feet of water. Use Hali jigs with wax worms. Look for perch along the weeds in 25 to 35 feet of water. Try tear drops tipped with a minnow or spike.
Lake Cadillac: Is producing some panfish and pike. Lots of snow and slush in some areas is making travel on the ice difficult. Call Pilgrim Village 231-775-5412 latest info
Lake Mitchell: s producing the occasional pike and crappie. Call Pilgrim Village 231-775-5412 latest info
Manistee River: Those brave enough to fish in artic temperatures are taking steelhead. The trick is to fish the very deep holes.
Pere Marquette Lake: The U.S. Coast Guard is warning anglers and other recreational users to use extreme caution due to ice breaking operations. They will be making two trips and stopping at Ludington’s Occidental Chemical Facility. Officials say ice fishermen should remove their ice shanties and equipment from these areas. Recreational users should plan their activities carefully and avoid the shipping channels.
Long Lake, Lake Leelanau Slow this week too much snow
Big Glen Slow this week too much snow .
Duck Lake by Interlochen Slow this week too much snow
Lake Bellaire has been fair for walleye and pike.
Northeast Michigan
Black Lake: Pike and walleye have been spotty this week Call Parrots Outpost for the latest ice conditions (989) 733-2472
Mullet Lake- Is producing perch for those using minnows and waxworms call Mullet Lake Party store@ (231) 627-4644 or Topinabee Market@ 231-238-9578
Burt Lake: Slow on walleye and perch.. Call Pat & Gary’s Party Store 231-238-6776
Grand Lake: Was producing a few perch. Try 15 to 25 feet of water around Grand Island.
Long Lake: Is producing walleye and perch. Call Bucks@ 989-595-2121
Fletchers Pond: Was producing a few crappie for those using minnows, wax worms or spikes. A few pike were taken on tip-ups. They have a fishing derby this weekend call Wild Bills Bait and Tackle@ (989) 742-4874
Otsego Lake- Fishing has been fair on Otsego Perch fishing has been fair on Bradford, chub Lake trout fishing has been good. They have been seeing lots of sturgeon this week Call Northern Sports@ 987-448-2014
Higgins Lake- Lake trout are being caught on greys. Perch anglers were starting to catch a few bigger ones in 8 to 12 feet of water on the east side of the lake off Maple Hurst Road and Flag Point. Perch were caught south of the Sunken Island by those using minnows, spikes and wax worms. Rainbow trout can be found in the shallows off Big Creek and the Conference Center. Most are using blues. Perch were caught near Big Creek, Treasure Island, or B & B Marina. On the south end of the lake, perch were caught off Sunken Island. A few pike were taken on tip-ups and large minnows. Those spearing were seeing smaller pike.
.Call Erik@ Silver Dollar Express (989) 821-6227 or Dave@Sports Barn 989-821-9511 for latest ice conditions
Houghton Lake- Ice continues to build thanks to artic temperatures in the region. Strong winds were blowing the snow around. Before the cold spell, anglers were catching pike and perch. Walleye action was fair to good along the south shore in 6 to 8 feet of water. The better fishing was after 6pm. Anglers still need to use caution and watch for snow drifts and pressure cracks. Angelo’s Party Store has shanties call for the latest info@ 989-202-4422
Dave at Four Season Party Store has his shanties out and they were catching fish call Dave @989-422-5230
Lyman’s Shanty rental @ 989-422-3231 says pike walleye and perch have been fair with a walleye once in a while just before dark.
Korbinski’s call Rod@ 989-366-9500
Pappa’s Bait reporting walleye fishing off the middle grounds on Houghton Lake. 989-429-5780
Hubbard Lake: has been steady.
Au Sable River: The few anglers making their way onto the river had good success because of the good number of steelhead in the river. Most are fishing the dam, Rea Road Launch, the Gas Line and the Whirlpool. Other areas of the river may be holding fish, but may not be accessible. Foote Dam and Whirlpool are open to 4-wheel drives. Wax worms, small spinners or spawn were best.
Lake Margrethe: Is producing some walleye, perch and pike. Call Skips Sport@ 989-348-7111 for latest info
Tawas: Most fishing activity is now outside the harbor rather than inside. Perch fishing was fair to good in 15 feet of water off Jerry’s Marina. Anglers are seeing a lot of perch down the holes but they do not want to bite. Further out near the ice that has broken up and re-froze, walleye were caught in 20 feet and a few pike were speared including one 20 pounder.
Au Gres: Most of the fishing activity is off the end of Booth Road in 15 feet of water where they’re picking up some walleyes and perch. Catch rates were fair. Off Palmer Road, walleye anglers were going out 4 to 4 ½ miles and fishing in 16 to 18 feet. Perch anglers closer to shore are seeing fish but few were caught.
Wixom Lake has been great for gills, pike and lots of crappie.Ice fishing is great here on Wixom Lake, Gladwin County. Be sure to stop at Sandys Market to get your bait! call Joe (989) 435-9688
Sanford Lake has been fair call Sanford Sport for info on Wixom and Sanford @ 989-687.5161
Secord Lake has been great for big crappie. Sandy’s Market call Joe (989) 435-9688
Wiggins and Sugar Springs have been good for pike and panfish
Upper Peninsula Fishing Report
Anglers are actively ice fishing the inland lakes as well as the Great Lakes.
Menominee: Ice anglers were targeting whitefish. Catch rates were fair to good in 30 to 40 feet of water when jigging minnows or wax worms. Access was found from Henes Park in Menominee or Red Arrow Park in Marinette.
Menominee River: Anglers are still marking walleye through the ice on the Wisconsin side near the Hattie Street Dam. A few fish are still being caught but catch rates have slowed. Some are still targeting pike near the Mystery Ship launch when jigging artificial bait or using tip-ups with minnows. Catch rates were slow. Those seeking panfish are jigging wax worms at the Mennikaunee Launch or behind K-Mart however no fish were caught as the water was low and cloudy.
Little Bay De Noc: Travel has been limited because of snow. The deep snow makes moving shanties very difficult and some have been unable to reach them because of drifting snow. There was a large pressure crack and no vehicles are traveling over it. Anglers are venturing as far south as the No See-um Creek area. The best walleye catches were reported near Portage Point when jigging rapalas or using tip-ups with minnows 40 to 50 feet down along the break. A few walleye were caught near Gladstone in 30 to 40 feet. As for whitefish, fair to good reports came from Sand Point when jigging minnows or spawn in 75 to 85 feet or off Gladstone when fishing off the bottom. Perch anglers have struggled as catch rates were down. A few jumbo perch were caught near Saunders Point but only small fish were caught near Butler Island.
Munuscong: Those fishing east of Roach Point in waters 25 to 27 feet reported fair catch rates. Only a handful of perch were caught in 4 feet of water.
Cedarville and Hessel: There is a lot of snow on the ice and the plowed trail was blown shut. Perch fishing in Musky Bay and Cedarville Bay was poor with very few fish caught. Anglers were using wigglers or minnows in 10 to 13 feet. Hessel Bay was a little better with a few bigger fish taken. Try minnows in 10 to 14 feet. Hessel Bay did not have as much snow but travel on the ice was still difficult.
Southeast Lower Peninsula Fishing Report
Lake Erie: Many are fishing out of Bolles Harbor however they are not catching very many fish. Perch were caught in the Metro Park Marina however be ready to sort out the small ones. Walleye have been caught in Brest Bay by those using small spoons tipped with a minnow.
Detroit River: Airport Bay was good for perch during the cold spell but then catch rates slowed.
Lake St. Clair: Has lots of ice however due to currents and pressure cracks, there is still some areas with open water and a couple machines have gone through the ice over the last week. Again, anglers are reminded to use extreme caution. Perch fishing seems to have slowed and the average size was down.
Harbor Beach: A few perch were caught inside the city harbor.
Saginaw Bay: Walleye were caught in 16 to 20 feet off Linwood and the Bay City State Park. On the east side of the bay, walleye anglers are fishing from Sunset Bay and off Thomas Road are heading out 8 to 11 miles. Perch anglers fishing in 5 to 6 feet off Vanderbilt Park near Quanicassee have caught some nice fish during the first half hour of daylight but then the bite quits after the sun come up. Only a few pike and small perch were taken at Sebewaing. Some are accessing the bay at Rose Island and Geiger Road and fishing out in the Slot for walleye. Fishing at Caseville, Port Austin and Grindstone City was slow.
Saginaw River: Pressure was generally light from Wickes Park and Rust Avenue north through downtown Saginaw. Anglers picked up the occasional keeper when using green jig-heads baited with a minnow in 9 to 15 feet. Walleye were caught near the Zilwaukee Bridge and downstream of the Veteran’s Bridge on the east side. A few perch were also caught. Fishing around the Independence Bridge was generally slow but a few anglers did well when using silver and blue jigging rapalas. Further down at Smith Park, the Cement Plant and the mouth, catch rates were slow and spotty.
Lake Chemung: In Livingston County is producing a small number of panfish.
Southwest Lower Peninsula Fishing Report
Pretty much all the inland lakes have ice. Bluegills have been hit-or-miss because of the numerous weather fronts. The best bite was in the morning or evening.
St. Joseph River: Has shelf ice and the ramps are extremely icy. There are steelhead in the river if anglers can get to them.
Branch County: Marble Lake was producing some good size bluegill and crappie. Pike and perch were also caught. Bluegill and perch were caught on Matteson Lake. Those fishing Randall Lake caught good numbers of small panfish and pike including two fish over 30 inches.
Duck Lake: In Calhoun County was producing some pike for those spearing.
Kalamazoo River: Also has steelhead but like most of the rivers in southwest Michigan, shelf ice and icy ramps are preventing access.
Gull Lake: Is producing some smelt, perch and the occasional lake trout.
Gun Lake: Is producing walleye, perch and bluegills. For walleye, try east of Murphy’s Point or Robbins Bay.
Grand River at Lansing: Anglers are still finding some leftover steelhead below the dams. At the North Lansing Dam and the Portland Dam, fish were caught when floating a golden shiner.
Lake Lansing: Is producing the occasional big crappie. Some are using wax worms instead of minnows.
Round Lake: Was producing a few pike for those spearing.
Muskrat Lake: Catch rates were fair for bluegill but the crappie were slow.
Muskegon River: Has good steelhead fishing with most fish being caught in the deeper holes.
