Kyke Stumbo shows the end of the season pike he caught fishing on Lake Mitchell. A healthy 36 incher.
There’s a major change in March. Not the time change. Not the possibility of Spring weather. It’s the closing of the pike and walleye season in the lower penninsula inland waters. Most of us are having withdrawals. What are we supposed to until the season opens again, the last Saurday in April, some of the better panfishing is ahead of us – and the Manistee River is starting to fill with steelhead. We won’t be bored.
Ice conditions are still great. Power augers are a must with 16 to 18 inches. Because of the law there’s no permanent shanties out there, but quads, snowmobiles and trucks, still run the lakes.
Panfishing for crappie and bluegills is picking up. Those dark, gray days have been better than the bright ones. Often the crapppie have been right under the ice. They suspend so high that electronics may miss them. On any day, the best bite seems to be that last hour into dark.
SMELT – reports are that smelt on Crystal slowed down, good lake trout, whitefish and burbot.
– Green Lake reports of descent numbers and the Karlin Launch isn’t as crowded as it was.
The 2013 Fishing Licenses are now on sale.
Prices are the same as last year. No increase, No Excuse.
Your 2012 Fishing License is valid until March 31, 2013.
STEELHEAD – March 23rd and 24th, a Steelhead Cllinic with be hosted by the Carl I Johnson Fishing Center. Catch more Steelhead. Learn about gear, techniques, and habitat. The First Day is all in the class room. The Second Day they take you out to the Manistee River with a DNR Interpretive Guide. You must register prior to attending. Seating is limited.
Steve Kailing tried fishing at the Kenwood Park area oLake Cadillac and caught his largest crappie of the year. Big ones come at the end of the season.