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.