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Kirstie Kelly Wakeley and Bobby Stockton caught 3 Lakers. Nice calm morning. The walk sucked though! Higgins is averaging about 4 inches of ice. Some slushy spots. Ice is not safe in many places in the deeper water and below is yesterdays catch by Bobby and Kirstie. Be careful as snow screwed up the lake and not making any ice with the snow as insulation.

Ice fishing is great here on Wixom Lake, Gladwin County. Be sure to stop at Sandys Market to get your bait! Send us pictures of your fish to be posted! Crappie fest is on it’s way, be sure to register! Also, be sure to check thickness of ice – always be safe! Happy fishing!

Joes’ from Sandy’s Market weekly ice fishing tip

When the bite is slow for crappie try reeling up every 2 feet until you get a bite, crappie love to stay suspended. Don’t get discouraged, any day on the lake is better than a day at work!!

FISHING CONDITIONS ON LAKES CADILLAC AND MITCHELL

A temporary warm-up sure made a beautiful weekend. Now the temps are dropping with another storm on its way.

Most have learned to deal with the slush on the shore lines. Some areas have hardened by themselves. The colder weather is curing the problem.

Expect mixed catches on both lakes. Most anglers setting tip-ups are catching Northerns of all sizes. Many talk of several flags and are having fun catching pike from 30 to over 30 inches.

Bass Season is about to close but they’ve been hitting tip-ups on a regular basis. They’ll still bite after December 31st and must be released.

Panfish action is picking up but not as good as we expect for first ice. The bright spot has been crappies. The coves on Mitchell and Kenwood Park Area on Cadillac often catch numbers.

The best bite seems to be late afternoon into dark. Small minnows are said to be their favorite bait but red spikes are currently out fishing them. The bluegill guys are using spikes on ultralight jigs have found the crappies and a mix of bluegill and sunfish. Current conditions, try down sizing to jigs as snall as you can handle. Tungsten works well.

Both lakes seem to be filled with perch–small perch. May be one out of 10 may be a keeper. A few healthy 10/12 inchers have been caught but never any numbers, just enough to get excitied. Someone will find a school.

Everyone wants walleyes. Most the last few days were caught by accident fishing panfish or on tip-ups. It has slowed but the constant is a dark afternoon, night bite. Catch one during a bright day, you’re lucky. Go out and buy a lottery ticket.

A awesome perch bite on Portage and Pentwater Lake with limit catches and some jumbo’s being caught. Osborn’s and Pentwater Angler report one of the best perch bites in many years. Hamlin Lake has been great with crappie, gills and pike.

South Lake Leelanau has a great walleye bite and many are fishing out by the RV Park and Bingham. North is not safe in the deeper water.

Skegemog has a good perch bite with the slush still a problem, but good ice.

Lake Margrethe has been poor on walleye but pike, gills and perch have been fair.

Long Lake by Traverse City is getting better and a few have been catching keepers on the Boone’s end of the lake.

Higgins Lake there was nobody fishing off the west access site today, I saw a open spot off the west access site in the deepest part of the lake. The Gerrish township park on the south end had about 40 fisherman out trying there luck for pike and perch. A few guys off of samuelset and some at the table top. Kelly beach a few guys are out but slush is hampering travel. Guys were fishing in 50 feet of water and doing great on perch the last few days. they would not disclose where they were on the lake

Houghton Lake has a good walleye bite off the south weed bed and east bay. Some are trying to get out to the middle grounds but 12 inches of snow and slush is hampering quads and snowmobiles. Perch and pike are biting off of Lyman’s on the Lake around there shanties along with a couple walleye. Dave at Four Season Party has his shanties out and has been catching nice walleye the last few days call him 2 989-422-5230 for the latest info, Pappas bait by Spikehorn Bar said guys are finally getting out to the middle grounds as the ice tighten up walleye catches have been fair.

Lake Missaukee had lots of fisherman out most are reporting the slush was up but fish were biting. Casey a Miller’s Corner reports lots of guys going off of Green Road and panfish, pike are biting great

Green Lake is should be safe everywhere by tomorrow with sub zero nights

Crystal Lake is froze completely across but is not safe yet

Duck Lake is safe in most places lots of guys are fishing off of strawberry point for pike and panfish.

Wixom Lake has good ice and a great gill and pike pike. Crappie bite has been great with slabs being caught.

Sanford Lake has been good for gills and pike by the first fill

Lake St. Helen has great ice and pike, walleye, and panfish have been biting.

Farwell area has good ice and most lakes are producing fish

Harrison Reports good ice on Budd Lake with fish biting also long lake they are fishing. Most area lakes have good ice

Around Baldwin the snow on the ice has hurt ice conditions and many lakes are not safe.

Fife Lake has a few shanties with safe ice and pike, perch, gills and walleye have been biting

Spider Lake and Arbutus Lake have good ice and fish have been biting

Black Lake has been slow but has safe ice.

Mullet has lots of snow and slush but has been getting better everyday.

Burt Lake has bad conditions also but is getting better every day and perch have been biting

Sugar Springs and Secord Lake have been good for pike and crappie

Manistique has a great walleye and perch bite on Indian Lake.

Bay De Noc is reporting a good fish bite with great ice here is what one group of guys caught last week Over the course of this past weekend, he and 5 friends landed – 30 inch walleyes that went 11 and 13 pounds.One 28 incher.Two 27 1/2’s A 25 and a 24.Thirty walleyes between 15 and 22 inches. Two 14 inch perch. The bigger fish were all caught in the upper bay in 10 to 30 feet of water. Most of the smaller eating sized fish were caught south of Gladstone. All were caught jigging, mostly on Rapalas .

FISHING CONDITIONS ON LAKES CADILLAC AND MITCHELL
FROM PILGRIM VILLAGE FISHING SHOP

A temporary warm-up sure made a beautiful weekend. Now the temps are dropping with another storm on its way.

Most have learned to deal with the slush on the shore lines. Some areas have hardened by themselves. The colder weather is curing the problem.

Expect mixed catches on both lakes. Most anglers setting tip-ups are catching Northerns of all sizes. Many talk of several flags and are having fun catching pike from 30 to over 30 inches.

Bass Season is about to close but they’ve been hitting tip-ups on a regular basis. They’ll still bite after December 31st and must be released.

Panfish action is picking up but not as good as we expect for first ice. The bright spot has been crappies. The coves on Mitchell and Kenwood Park Area on Cadillac often catch numbers.

The best bite seems to be late afternoon into dark. Small minnows are said to be their favorite bait but red spikes are currently out fishing them. The bluegill guys are using spikes on ultralight jigs have found the crappies and a mix of bluegill and sunfish. Current conditions, try down sizing to jigs as snall as you can handle. Tungsten works well.

Both lakes seem to be filled with perch–small perch. May be one out of 10 may be a keeper. A few healthy 10/12 inchers have been caught but never any numbers, just enough to get excitied. Someone will find a school.

Everyone wants walleyes. Most the last few days were caught by accident fishing panfish or on tip-ups. It has slowed but the constant is a dark afternoon, night bite. Catch one during a bright day, you’re lucky. Go out and buy a lottery ticket.

FOR YOUR INFORMATION-Several bullheads have been caught in the Big and Small Coves lately. Have never been aware of this before. They fight-more fun on the ice!

Green Lake Smelt are biting on the south-end by Karlin and reports the access site was full last night. There are 2 to 8 inches so be careful where you walk and have a spud. Hali Jigs tipped with waxworms working best. No huge amounts but some caught 50 and some caught zip.

A awesome perch bite on Portage and Pentwater Lake with limit catches and some jumbo’s being caught. Osborn’s and Pentwater Angler report one of the best perch bites in many years. Hamlin Lake has been great with crappie, gills and pike.

Matthew Bogart reports Long Lake by Traverse City has ice in front of the store. About 3-4 inches of clear and then another 3-4 inches of slush/white ice. It varies around though. Just went out today. Only ventured out about 100 or so yards from shore though. Doesn’t look like anyone’s gone out further.

South Lake Leelanau has a great walleye bite and many are fishing out by the RV Park and Bingham. North is not safe in the deeper water.

Skegemog has a good perch bite with the slush still a problem, but good ice.

Lake Margrethe has been fair on walleye but pike and perch have been fair.

Higgins Lake a couple guys were fishing off of big creek for rainbows, a couple guys off the west access in 4 feet of water fishing for rainbows also. The little township park on the south end had about 20 fisherman out trying there luck for pike.

Houghton Lake has a good walleye bite off the south weed bed and east bay. Some are trying to get out to the middle grounds but 12 inches of snow and slush is hampering quads and snowmobiles. Perch and pike are biting off of Lyman’s on the Lake around there shanties along with a couple walleye.

Lake Missaukee had lots of fisherman out most are reporting the slush was up but fish were biting. Casey a Miller’s Corner reports lots of guys going off of Green Road and panfish, pike are biting great

Cadillac has many guys out today on both Cadillac and Mitchell. A huge group of guys were off the causeway catching crappie and pike.

Green Lake is still not safe a few guys fishing pike in the shallow bays.

Duck Lake is not safe in most places but a few guys are fishing off of strawberry point for pike and panfish.

Higgins Lake is not safe, jut a couple guys off of Lyon’s Manor at the table top

Most lakes are safe but lots of slush

Snow has hurt most lakes in Northern Michigan as slush is making it hard to get around.

The snow over the weekend hurt the ice in many places many report the ice is 4 inches with slush most places in the snow belt. Please take a spud

Houghton Lake and Margrethe have 9 to 12 inches of ice and many are driving ATV”S out of and shanties are on the lake but there is slush on the lakes.

Higgins Lake is completely froze over but the ice is not safe but what a early start this year. I saw a shanty and two guys off the table top but the lake is not safe as snow has slowed the freezing process

A good report from Manistee Lake by Kalkaska as there is a good perch bite this week

Reports there is good ice on Skegemog and very little slush off of Baggs Rd. Perch and pike have been biting

Lake Missaukee has good ice but snow has put some slush up on the ice, there was a couple trucks driving on the ice monday

Portage Lake has been good for gills and pike. Perch are starting to bite the last cou[le days

White Lake by Whitehall has been awesome for gills this week with wax and spikes

Pentwater lake has a good pike and perch bite

Around Traverse Long Lake, Green Lake , Duck Lake have ice and guys are fishing but be careful. Shallow bays on Green Lake have produced some huge pike over the weekend

Otsego Lake has great ice but some slush with a good pike and perch bite.

Snow! Snow! and more snow! Snowmobilers and skiers are delighted. The Weatherman’s new term “Snow Showers” has left over 14″ on the level, not counting drifts. Good for them but its causing problems for ice fishermen. The amount of snow is insulating the ice. Even with cold temperatures its forming new ice much slower than you’d expect. The depth of snow is causing slush along the shore lines.

Anglers on Lake Mitchell find 5 to 8″ of clear ice. There’s slush along the shore lines and where the fishermen congegrate. The dry areas are obvious, most fish them.

Lake Cadillac requires more caution. Depending on where you are, there’s 3 to 5″s with the conditions of slush.

The smaller lakes surrounding Cadillac all have the same conditions. A few brave snowmobiles and quads run the shore lines or to and from shanties. Its sloppy but we’re catching fish.

Dress approximately and use your spuds to check your way.

Spearing Season is open and many are taking advantages of early ice.

Be more cautious of Lake Cadillac. The West side to Kenwood Park has basically the same ice as Mitchell. The East side, the last to freeze, has areas where a couple of hits with a spud go through.

Wixom Lake has good ice and a great gill and pike pike. Crappie bite has been great with slabs being caught.

Sanford Lake has been good for gills and pike by the first fill

Lake St. Helen has great ice and pike, walleye, and panfish have been biting.

Farwell area has good ice and most lakes are producing fish

Harrison Reports good ice on Budd Lake with fish biting also long lake they are fishing. Most area lakes have good ice

Around Baldwin the snow on the ice has hurt ice conditions and many lakes are not safe.

Fife Lake has a few shanties with safe ice and pike, perch, gills and walleye have been biting

Spider Lake and Arbutus Lake have good ice and fish have been biting

Lake Leelanau has ice but be careful as there is slush and thin ice, the South-end perch and walleye have been biting

Northwest Lower Peninsula Fishing Report

Lake Cadillac: Ice fishing is on for the west side of the lake however the east side takes longer to freeze. Anglers need to use caution and check the ice carefully. Panfish action has been slow to get started. Those using tip-ups are getting some pike. Those jigging small spoons or rapalas are taking some walleye. Those targeting crappie have done well with wax worms or spikes.

Lake Mitchell: Those ice fishing are taking a good number of panfish. Slush is forming under the snow so anglers need to be careful. Fish have been caught in the coves and off the State Park.

Lake Missaukee: Has ice and some good action for panfish.

Manistee River: Those braving the cold have caught some nice steelhead below Tippy Dam. The lower part of the river near M-55 is iced over so anglers will have to fish further upstream.

Pere Marquette River: Fishing was a bit slower but anglers are still taking some nice steelhead and a few brown trout. Some are bottom bouncing flies or spawn while others are swinging flies.

Anglers are reminded that large and smallmouth bass season closes on all waters of the state on December 31st. If the weather holds, anglers should be ice fishing through the holiday season.

Reports from Hamlin Lake that a great pike bite with some up to 35″ Good gill and crappie bite also’

Green Lake by Interlochen has produced some huge pike in the 40″ class this week from shallow water and the hole in the sandbar off little betsie river. Snow on Green Lake has made the smelt grounds unsafe from most reports.

Portage and Pentwater Lake have a good perch bite but limit access on the lakes with lots of slush and parts still not safe

Snow has hurt many lakes as slush came up on many lakes so we hope it freezes up over Christmas for our present form Santa Claus. Green Lake has 2 to 4 inches but all the snow made the ice scary this weekend.

Joe from Sandy’s Market on Wixom Lake has been catching limits of crappie on Wixom Lake in 24 feet of water 12 feet down.Call Joe at (989) 435-9688 for updates on Wixom Lake. Photo above was on of Joe’s crappie from wixom lake

Lake Missaukee had trucks driving on it this weekend with great gill and pike fishing. Call Miller’s Corner for the latest info on Lake Missaukee 231-839-0440

Houghton Lake was great for walleye last weekend with south weed bed, east bay, middle grounds having the best bite. Lymans has his rental shanties out and they did catch walleye around the shanties last weekend along with pike and perch.

Lake Leelanau has been good for walleye but most are fishing off the rv park with 6 inches of ice.

Long Lake has been fair for walleye but all the snow has made the lake real slouchy.

Lake St. Helen has been great for panfish , pike with a few walleye. Call Dave at Malcomb’s Tackle Box 989-389-2100

Skegemog has been fair for perch, and pike.

-FISHING CONDITIONS ON LAKES CADILLAC AND MITCHELL
FROM PILGRIM VILLAGE FISHING SHOP

Snow! Snow! and more snow! Snowmobilers and skiers are delighted. The Weatherman’s new term “Snow Showers” has left over 14″ on the level, not counting drifts. Good for them but its causing problems for ice fishermen. The amount of snow is insulating the ice. Even with cold temperatures its forming new ice much slower than you’d expect. The depth of snow is causing slush along the shore lines.

Anglers on Lake Mitchell find 5 to 8″ of clear ice. There’s slush along the shore lines and where the fishermen congegrate. The dry areas are obvious, most fish them.

Lake Cadillac requires more caution. Depending on where you are, there’s 3 to 5″s with the conditions of slush.

The smaller lakes surrounding Cadillac all have the same conditions. A few brave snowmobiles and quads run the shore lines or to and from shanties. Its sloppy but we’re catching fish.

Dress approximately and use your spuds to check your way.

Spearing Season is open and many are taking advantages of early ice.

Those registered in the Pilgrim Village Spearing Contest find the standings have been changing daily.

1st Place Ed Pascoe 33 1/2″ 7.45 lbs.
2nd Place Don Hiltz Jr. 28 1/2″ 5.02lbs.
3rd Place Gary Swiger 28 1/2″ 4.40lbs.
4th Place Dave Weronko 26 3/4″ 4.45lbs.
YOUTH DIVISION

1st Place Marcus Julie 29″ 5.31 lbs.
2nd Place Joey Brooks 27″ 4.32lbs.
OTHER

Bullhead Dave Weronko 12 1/2″ 1.0lb.

Northern Michigan Ice Fishing Report 12/19/13

The snow over the weekend hurt the ice in many places many report the ice is 4 inches with slush most places in the snow belt. Please take a spud

Houghton Lake and Margrethe have 9 to 12 inches of ice and many are driving ATV”S out of and shanties are on the lake.

Higgins Lake is completely froze over but the ice is not safe but what a early start this year.

A good report from Manistee Lake by Kalkaska as there is a good perch bite this week

Reports there is good ice on Skegemog and very little slush off of Baggs Rd.

Lake Missaukee has good ice but snow has put some slush up on the ice

Portage Lake has been good for gills and pike.

White Lake by Whitehall has been awesome for gills this week with wax and spikes

Around Traverse Long Lake, Green Lake , Duck Lake have ice and guys are fishing but be careful

Otsego Lake has great ice but some slush with a good pike and perch bite.

Lake Mitchell froze before Cadillac. Expect 5/6 inches of solid, clear ice, some areas more. The first 20/25 yards from shore may be wet. Slush is forming under the snow. Past a certain point its dry. We’ve had snow showers everyday. The lakes have about 6 inches of snow with occassional drifts. Its not recommended but the ice is so solid that some are driving quads and snowmobiles to their favorite places. Fishing has started in the Big and Small Coves on the West side, Thirsty’s and behind Mitchell State Park.

Be more cautious of Lake Cadillac. The West side to Kenwood Park has basically the same ice as Mitchell. The East side, the last to freeze, has areas where a couple of hits with a spud go through.

Wixom Lake has good ice and a great gill and pike pike.

Sanford Lake has been good for gills and pike b y the first fill

Lake St. Helen has great ice and pike, walleye, and panfish have been biting.

Farwell area has good ice and most lakes are producing fish

Harrison Reports good ice on Budd Lake with fish biting also long lake they are fishing. Most area lakes have good ice

Around Baldwin the snow on the ice has hurt ice conditions and many lakes are not safe.

Fife Lake has a few shanties with safe ice and pike, perch, gills and walleye have been biting

Spider Lake and Arbutus Lake have good ice and fish have been biting

Lake Leelanau has ice but be careful as there is slush and thin ice, the South-end perch and walleye have been biting

Northwest Lower Peninsula Fishing Report

Lake Cadillac: Ice fishing is on for the west side of the lake however the east side takes longer to freeze. Anglers need to use caution and check the ice carefully. Panfish action has been slow to get started. Those using tip-ups are getting some pike. Those jigging small spoons or rapalas are taking some walleye. Those targeting crappie have done well with wax worms or spikes.

Lake Mitchell: Those ice fishing are taking a good number of panfish. Slush is forming under the snow so anglers need to be careful. Fish have been caught in the coves and off the State Park.

Lake Missaukee: Has ice and some good action for panfish.

Manistee River: Those braving the cold have caught some nice steelhead below Tippy Dam. The lower part of the river near M-55 is iced over so anglers will have to fish further upstream.

Pere Marquette River: Fishing was a bit slower but anglers are still taking some nice steelhead and a few brown trout. Some are bottom bouncing flies or spawn while others are swinging flies.

Anglers are reminded that large and smallmouth bass season closes on all waters of the state on December 31st. If the weather holds, anglers should be ice fishing through the holiday season.

Upper Peninsula Fishing Report

Ice anglers are fishing the inland lakes for bluegill, crappie, perch, walleye and pike.

Munising: The bay has ice and some are taking their shanties out. Anglers are reminded to use extreme caution.

Northeast Lower Peninsula Fishing Report

Grand Lake: Should have good ice but use caution.

Long Lake: Should have good ice but use caution.

Fletchers Pond: Has fair to good ice and providing some good opportunities for anglers. Those using spikes and minnows have caught bluegill and perch. A few pike were taken on tip-ups.

Hubbard Lake: Takes longer to freeze because it is much deeper. Anglers should wait a bit longer before they start to venture out.

Au Sable River: Has a good number of steelhead. As of this report, the ramps at Rea and Whirlpool were usable but those launching are encouraged to have 4-wheel drive and some rock salt or gravel just in case. The river near Oscoda is forming ice, so floating may be limited to the upper river below Foote Dam.

Higgins Lake: Had some ice out to the drop-off but there is snow on the ice so anglers should stay off. The ice is not ready yet.

Houghton Lake: Ice continues to build thanks to artic temperatures in the region. The lake is snow covered so anglers need to use caution and watch for pressure cracks. Some are starting to take ice shanties out. Most are catching pike and a few walleye however bluegills should also be available.

Lake Margrethe: Has ice and anglers are fishing for panfish.

Northwest Lower Peninsula Fishing Report

Lake Cadillac: Ice fishing is on for the west side of the lake however the east side takes longer to freeze. Anglers need to use caution and check the ice carefully. Panfish action has been slow to get started. Those using tip-ups are getting some pike. Those jigging small spoons or rapalas are taking some walleye. Those targeting crappie have done well with wax worms or spikes.

Lake Mitchell: Those ice fishing are taking a good number of panfish. Slush is forming under the snow so anglers need to be careful. Fish have been caught in the coves and off the State Park.

Lake Missaukee: Has ice and some good action for panfish.

Manistee River: Those braving the cold have caught some nice steelhead below Tippy Dam. The lower part of the river near M-55 is iced over so anglers will have to fish further upstream.

Pere Marquette River: Fishing was a bit slower but anglers are still taking some nice steelhead and a few brown trout. Some are bottom bouncing flies or spawn while others are swinging flies.

Southeast Lower Peninsula Fishing Report

Lake Erie: Those fishing in the Metro Park Marina were catching bluegills when using small teardrops with spikes or wax worms. Anglers might want to check out the Banana Dike.

Huron River: Has some shelf ice. The river is fishable but use caution. Steelhead are still being caught. Try Hot-n-Tots or a black jig with a wax worm.

Detroit River: As of this report, anglers were fishing Airport Bay which is along the south end of Grosse Isle. Though catch rates were slow, anglers were starting to catch a few perch. Try small spoons or teardrops with minnows.

Oakland County: Has ice fishing with anglers reported on Green, Oxbow, Cass, Cooley and Long Lake. A few crappie were taken on wax worms.

Lake St. Clair: Has ice but heavy snow is not helping with the freezing process. There are numerous bad spots with thin ice and slush so ice thickness is not uniform by any means. About the only reports coming in were a few perch caught at Fair Haven.

Saginaw Bay: Ice is forming out in the bay and it seems the fish are scattered as those going out had not caught any fish.

Saginaw River: The Coast Guard is bringing an ice breaker up into the river to make way for a barge. Anglers should stay off the ice along the upper river and also in bay near the mouth until it freezes back up.

Southwest Lower Peninsula Fishing Report

There is some ice fishing on the small lakes, mostly in the bays, small channels or along the shoreline. Ice thickness is not uniform so anglers need to use extreme caution.

St. Joseph River: Continues to produce steelhead below Berrien Springs.

Kalamazoo River: Steelhead action was fair below the Allegan Dam. Try spoons, plugs or spawn. A few walleye have also been caught.

Grand River at Grand Rapids: Continues to produce steelhead and walleye. For steelhead, try white jigs with wax worms or bright colored spawn bags. For walleye try Hot-n-Tots, husky jerks, bucktail jigs or minnows under a bobber.

Muskegon River: Continues to produce some nice steelhead. There is some shelf ice along the banks and access can be tricky as the launch sites are snow covered and slippery.