It is the kick -off to Tip-Up Town Usa and the lake has safe ice and the fish have been biting so check it out. Here is the link to Tip-Up Town.
It has been a crazy week as the wind and rain played hell on many lakes, but things are great with cold temps and our deeper lakes should go over next week.
Safety is a must if you’re going ice fishing. Be sure to use the buddy system and let someone know where you are going and when you plan to return. Wearing a life jacket may seem silly however it will not only help keep you afloat should you fall through the ice but more important, it will save your life.Northwestern Michigan
Leroy- Reports are guys are getting out on the shallow lakes with good pike action Call Eye’s Have It for latest info 231-768-5653
Baldwin- The little lakes around Baldwin are safe and pan fish has been fair. Call Baldwin Bait @ 231-745-3529 or Ed’s Sport @ 231-745-4974
Big Glen- open water
Little Glen- Has ice and maybe the perch will start biting the perch are biting Call Fishhook@ (231) 256-9496.
Lake Leelanau: North Lake Leelanau is wide open still, South Lake Leelanau is froze with 3 to 5 inches of ice and fair walleye, perch and pike. Call Fishhook@ (231) 256-9496 for latest info
Manistee Lake by Kalkaska- Good fishing this week with perch, pike, walleye and a few gills in the canals ice is 3 to 5 inches Call Jacks Sport Shop 231-258-8892
Spider Lake and Arbutus- Five to seven inches of ice with pike and pan fish biting, a huge pike was caught out of there last week Call Roy’s General Store @ 231-946-5633
Lake Dubonnet- Lots of fisherman fishing this lake with great pike action with some pan fish
Duck Lake: Lots of fisherman off of Strawberry Point
Green Lake: Is wide open again
Long Lake: They are fishing on the North-end and catching fish, but lots of small walleye being caught. Over a hundred fisherman out last week. Call MC Sports @ 231-933-6158
Skegemog-Has completely froze over and lots of people are walking out not safe for atv’s yet and good pike and perch fishing. Had an open spot in the middle Call Jack’s Sport Shop@231-258-8892
Fife Lake- Has ice and a few big pike have been caught, along with perch Call Lakeside Party @ 231-879-4346
Portage Lake- It froze over but have not heard of any body trying there luck. Call Osborne’s@ 231-889-3775
Hamlin Lake- Has 2 to 3 inches on Upper Hamlin and things have got shaky they hope to be out this weekend . Call PM Expeditions@ 231-425-8913 or Hamlin Grocery@(231) 843-2058
Bear Lake- Has 3 to 5 inches of ice today with a few getting out catching pike. Osborne’s@ 231-889-3775
Lake Missaukee- Has safe ice Today a few guys were venturing out and report 5 to 8 inches of good ice with pike and gills are biting good Call Miller Corner@ 231-839-0440 or Hopkins Outfitters@ 231-839-FISH (3474)
Cadillac and Mitchell- Has Safe Ice!!!!, Lake Cadillac they are fishing off the causeway and it has looked like a city on the ice this week Call Pilgrim Village for latest info@ 231-775-5412
Betsie River: Continues to produce some steelhead.
Big Manistee River: Is fishable and should have a fair to good number of steelhead including some fresh fish. Many are fly fishing below Tippy Dam.
Little Manistee River: Is producing steelhead and the occasional brown trout however the river will close to fishing on January 1st and will reopen on April 1st.
Pere Marquette River: Should still have some good steelhead fishing. Those fly fishing seem to catch more fish.
Pentwater: Pentwater Lake is open Call Pentwater Angler for the latest info@ 231-869-5357
Whitehall: White lake is open and they have a perch tournament Call armstrongs@231–894-6753 or Johnson’s Outdoors @ 231-893-6688
Northeast Michigan
Lewiston- Both East and West Twin are froze and perch, pike and walleye are biting Call Mid Lakes Market @ (989) 786-3227
Mio- Mio Pong has froze and a few are getting out on the lake. Call Jig’s Bait Shop@ (989) 826-3467
Lake St. Helen- Fishing has been good with 5 to 8 inches of ice lots of pike, with pan fish on the bite with a few walleye being caught. Call Macomb’s Tackle Box @ 989-389-2100
Pratt Lake and Wiggins Lake– has safe ice and many have been doing good on pan fish and pike. Call Chappel Dam@ 989-426-7503
Wixom and Sanford Lake- Reports are the lake is froze and fisherman have been getting out on the shallow bays catching crappie, gills and pike. Call Sanford Sport Shop@989-687-5161 or Sandy’s Market@ (989) 435-9688
Secord Lake has had a great bite this week Sandy’s Market@ (989) 435-9688
Fletcher’s Floodwaters- Reports are the ice is safe to walk out on and the pike fishing has been fantastic the last two days but very few people out yet. Call Bill’s @989-742-4874
Black Lake- Has 3 to 5 inches of ice. Call Parrots Outpost for the latest ice conditions (989) 733-2472
Grand lake and Long Lake- Both lakes are froze over and a few fisherman are venturing out catching perch and pike on the shallow bays, also Saturday seems to be the day that most feel it will be safe. Call Bucks@ 989-595-2121
Otsego Lake- The ice is safe and many shanties are on the lake. A few sturgeon have been caught off the State Park and good perch, pike and a few walleyes on Otsego Lake. Perch fishing has been fait on Bradford, chub Lake trout fishing has been good. Call Northern Sports@ 987-448-2014
Lake Margrethe- The lake is completely froze with 4 to 8 inches of ice and good fish being caught. They put there shanties back on today so hope things will pick upCall Skip’s Sport @ 989-348-7111
Higgins Lake- is wide open again hopefully it will freeze with the next cold spell. Call Phoniex Park 989-821-7220 or Sports Barn 989-821-9511 for latest ice conditions
Houghton Lake- Ice fishing is on and anglers are setting up their shanties. Be sure to use caution around the chunk ice on the south shore as well as near any inlets or outlets. Walleye fishing was good in in 4 to 8 feet of water. Lyman’s has started putting their shanties out call them for your resevations@ 989-422-3231 Also Dave @ Four Season is getting ready to put his Shanties out and said last night they did good on the walleyes and pike. Call him @ 989-422-5230. Angelos Party Store also has shanty retail call him @ 989-202-4422 ask for Lou. It is Tip Up Town Weekend
Lake Avalon: In Montmorency County is producing a few bigger splake.
Alpena: The boat ramps are frozen in. A few perch were caught in the harbor.
Au Sable River: The ramps are usable. Steelhead were caught from Foote Dam all the way down to Oscoda and the mouth. Boat anglers are back drifting plugs or casting spawn.
Higgins Lake: The boat launches are iced in but not enough ice for ice fishing yet.
Tawas: Anglers are getting some perch out of Jerry’s Marina basin as well as off Jerry’s in 10 to 15 feet of water. Walleye anglers are inching out to 15 to 17 feet and getting a few. No pike spearing yet.
Au Gres River: Has ice fishing in the lower river. Anglers are getting a few perch and sublegal walleye.