Bait-shops in Roscommon, Alger, and Ogemaw County
Roscommon County has the Largest inland lake in Michigan Houghton Lake. This lake is one of the best producers of panfish in the state of Michigan. It also has a good population of walleye and pike. Higgins Lake is the King for ice fishing when it freezes in the middle of January. The target fish are perch and smelt which they catch by the bucket on Hali’s. This lake has a huge population of lake, brown, and rainbow trout, it is the place to be in the late winter when the shallow lakes are not producing. Ogemaw County Main lakes are Peach, Sage, Clear, Lake George, Rifle, and Hardwood lake. Lots of fisherman head to Lake St. Helen which is just across the line in Roscommon as it produces lots of fish in the winter.
Full line of live bait and tackle
Full line of live bait and tackle
Full line of bait and tackle
Full line of bait and tackle
PaPa’s Bait
127 Windemere, Houghton Lake, MI
(989) 429-5780
full line of bait some tackle
Full line of bait and tackle
Full line of bait and tackle
Saint Helen Bait and Tackle
1727 North St. Helen Road
989-808-1814
Full line of bait and tackle
Full line of bait and tackle
More Boat Launches Closed
In a continued effort to stop the spread of COVID-19 across Michigan, the Department of Natural Resources and local leaders are now shutting down some boat launches in Leelanau County.
The Leelanau County Sheriff’s Office received notification Thursday that the DNR is closing three boat launches for public use effective Friday.
According to a Facebook post by the Leelanau County Sheriff’s Office, the decision was made to implement the Governor’s Executive Order 2020-21, Stay Home and Stay Safe.
The launches included in this closure, with cooperation of the local entities, will be in the Village of Northport, the Village of Suttons Bay, and the State launch at the end of Hilltop Road.
These closures will remain in effect until further notice.
The DNR was concerned too many people were on the trails to maintain a safe distance and people were fishing too close together.
Wednesday, anglers were using boats instead of waders to cast their lines.
They have shut down the city boat landing in Montague yesterday.
Tippy Dam Closure
Wednesday, anglers were using boats instead of waders to cast their lines after the closure of Tippy Dam Recreation Area Tuesday.
If anyone is caught in the closed recreation area they face up to a five hundred dollar fine.
The DNR said they are monitoring other popular fishing spots around northern Michigan to make sure people are maintaining a safe distance from one another.
On Thursday, officials with the Huron-Manistee National Forests also warned anglers to maintain social distancing guidelines.
National forests are also seeing an increased use following Governor Whitmer’s "Stay Home, Stay Safe" order.
Please keep the following guidelines in mind before visiting state managed land:
Go out only if you’re feeling healthy.
Long-distance travel is discouraged unless it is essential.
Individuals must maintain a minimum of 6 feet between themselves and people of other households.
Wash hands often with soap and warm water for 20 seconds. If those aren’t available, use a hand sanitizer containing at least 60% alcohol.
When driving, keep windows slightly open to provide air flow. Do not drive with people who don’t live in your household.
If the parking is full when attempting to visit a park, recreation area, boating access site or trailhead, leave and choose a different location.
It's an executive order. They warned all of us up front to follow the rules or there will be closures. We are fishermen, we need to stick together and police ourselves or one by one we will lose public launches.
I’d be more concerned about someone catching lead poisoning while trying to fine one for providing food for one’s family…….
Dnr did not order the closure of the Leelanau county ramps the sheriffs office did it on its own merits. So thank them don’t blame the dnr
Put those docks in now. When we buy those damn licenses we pay to fish. We pay for access to all the state's waters. Many of us fish alone (retired) or take our spouse. 2 buddies. fishing should not be and issue as long as they practice safe rules. Those that are dumbasses and cram 3 or more in a 12' boat cite the idiots and make them pay and escort them to shore. This is asinine and I want my license fee reimbursed.
If I am self isolating with my boyfriend we should be allowed to go out on a boat together. I am an essential employee and need to get out and get some fresh air and get away from people to keep me optimistic and sane right now. Fishing is what I enjoy and why should we not get reimbursed for our license if they are limiting us? I do not agree with this decision.
too close together , I'm in my boat in Lake leelanau by myself no one around this is getting a little to far fetched
Sorry, I can't "Like" this one. GA is leaving them all open and in SC all Federal Landings are open. Where are some folks priority? Long Live the South.
Taking are rights away. People need to open there eyes before the government takes all are rights . This is just the first step next is the FEMA line
Not sure how launching boats violates the distancing order. I'm not closer that 10ft from others when launching or retrieving. Doesn't make sense to me.
Hey Bucs Bait, do you feel any amount of guilt or responsibility for that “Perch are hot in Northport” report you sent out last week?
Thanks for helping with that Buc’s! Got everyone and their brother out there!
How in the phuck do people fish too close together with boats?????? Hey Adolph, the 🐑🐑🐑 are ready.
Did they close any of the houghton lake access
So we are allowed to fish unless more than 2 people show up then they will close that too !
How does one spread a virus at a boat launch?
Quit being stupid people
Communists!!! We the people pay for these parks. Deplorable.
John Gray
Close em all …apparently society is too stupid to understand. I want to go fishing too but people think this crap is a joke.
Complete bullshit….
Maybe they should have just gave some 500 dollar tickets to guys fishing 3+ out of one boat if not family members. Instead they ruin it for everybody.
Dumbest thing I've seen so far this week…leelanau county has no clue what they r even doing…morons
How the hell can they choose another location when they shut down 3 landings???? Government idiots Now your gonna have boaters from those 3 all going to the next one. SO THEN BECAUSE THAT ONE US GETTING ALOT OF PEOPLE, ARE THEY GONNA CLAIM TO MANY PEOPLE AND SHUT IT DOWN TO??????? MIRE GOVERNMENT STUPIDITY. D.N.R.: D O N OTHING R ANGERS
Confused how being out on a boat has anything to do with spreading a fake virus
I talked to a DNR Officer today and you are only allowed 2 people in a boat and only then you always have to be 6 feet apart, if you cannot comply then just one person in the boat.
You can have up to 4 in a boat if it is your Immediate family and you all live under the same roof.
The state police and sheriff might have a different ruling but to be safe only one person per boat unless immediate family living under the same roof. this could change in a hour as they are changing rules by the hour.
They are close to closing tippy Dam and Homestead as people are not keeping 6 feet apart.
They will close fishing in the state of Michigan if they see fisherman cannot comply with the 6 foot rule for social distancing
They probably should enforce people walking together. I understand the same household thing but every day on my way home from my essential job I see a lot of (most likely not the same household people) walking shoulder to shoulder.
People can't comply while out shopping… if you're going to fish be reasonable and comply so you aren't ruining fishing for all of us
Hey, Chuck Morris that's what I heard. I wondered how long it would take DNR🙁I'm sure they were having fun. 🐟 are running!
Well they did close all public lands and lake accesses in Washington state because people would not obey the rules.
Just wanna put this out there, you think the DNR likes enforcing this,%$!# ?
Dudes were all shoulder to shoulder at Allegan Dam. DNR were pulling in when I drove by.
The female CO at the Northport ramp was “waiting for direction to start writing C19 tickets”.
They wanna crack down on this yet I see it everyday as a vendor in these grocery stores people are packed in there. They need to address that first!
Dumbasses! Give'm a badge and they know everything!😂 Not sorry….
People just can't seem to follow simple instructions.
So the DNR claimed there is a separate set of rules to be enforced by them compared to the state and local police??? Hahahaha
Who was the officer that claimed all this?
6’ apart…. apparently they have never perch fished when they come in😘🤷♂️🍺🍺
Steve Danielczyk
Trevor Dick
Jimmy Labo
Jesse Lautner
Tyler Rice
Patrick Daly
Brendan Miller
Joe Thornburg
And they can fuck off.
Boat launch remains closed
By Eric Carlson
eric@leelanaunews.com
Despite appearances to the contrary, boat launches owned by the Village of Suttons Bay remain closed.
Village manager Rob Larrea said Friday afternoon that an unknown individual or group acting without any legal authority pushed a “skid pier” into the water at the village’s North Park early Friday.
“Now, the parking lot at North Park is filled with trucks and boat trailers, and who-knows-how many fishermen are using our ramp unlawfully right now,” Larrea said.
He added that the skid ramp was not properly installed and may be dangerous to anyone using it.
“The Michigan Department of Natural Resources and the Leelanau County Sheriff’s Office have been contacted and we are working to identify all involved,” the village manager said. “North Park boat launch remains closed as does the Marina boat launch which is closed for the 2020 boating season due to high water.”
Officials speculated that the number of people out fishing so early in the season on a weekday may be related to the sudden and unprecedented jump in the unemployment rate due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Any information the public can provide on who is behind the unlawful opening of the North Park boat launch will be appreciated, Larrea added.
He said that although all the village’s parks remain open, all playground equipment remains off-limits due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Larrea said the village government is complying with the governor’s COVID-19 directives by limiting public access to the village hall and cutting back some services. The village council will likely use an online teleconferencing application to conduct meetings open to the public in the weeks ahead.
In the meantime, Larrea said, any water shutoffs in the village have been suspended — although all fees and payments are still required.
In addition, plans are moving ahead to begin downtown “streetscape” improvement project funded through the Michigan Department of Transportation and a federal Transportation Assistance Program (TAP) grant. Construction along M-22 (St. Joseph Avenue) in downtown Suttons Bay will begin on April 15, Larrea said, and should be completed before Memorial Day.
The village manager encouraged village residents and anyone interested to visit the village’s website at www.suttonsbayvillage.org for more information.
Photo caption: Fishermen launching boats at North Park in the Village of Suttons Bay have been doing so unlawfully since Friday morning when someone who has not yet been identified — and without any authority — shoved a "skid ramp" into the water so boats could be launched. Village officials have alerted the Leelanau County Sheriff’s Office and the Michigan Department of Natural Resources about the ongoing violation.
Really now they don't have to pay someone to do it witch prolly cost a ton to the taxpayers stupid should have never ben took out in the first place didn't even come close to freezing this year.
If your closing the launch then you better put up a sign. People launch there all winter without a dock. Dnr says go fishing…
They should go install it properly. Apparently the village has forgotten they work for the citizens.
It really Pisses me off, there's the regular marina and they don't want you using that, because it just for the marina folk, I grew up in Suttons bay and regular marina was always open to the public,
ok parking lot asphalt, boat ramp..concrete,, dock , in place , whats the problem?, high water …= don't have to back boat as far down the ramp , what problem is there
so what happen's if we go fishing up there and launch our boats
I mean if this page didn’t blow up Sutton’s bay or northport every time someone catches a perch this probably wouldn’t have happened!
Pitching a fit about nothing…. Since when can't grown adults push in a dock and launch a boat?? Does it take a special person to do so… Give us all a break damn…..
Drove by Friday afternoon and there were at least a dozen trucks at the launch.
So from what I understand fishing is allowed but don't launch a boat? Anyone know if Bowers is useable or the same B.S.
SO when can we launch our boat's to go fishing ? when the down state money people come up
Is it a state dnr launch or a private launch? Is it free?
The village is ass-burnt that they got caught being lazy.
Your never close it to us natives
Clay Mcnitt
Who cares
Hey Village Manager the Fisherman are practicing Social Distancing like our Idiot Governor wants us to do. Are you against Social Distancing?, let's not put ignorance on Display.
Good great reports from Northport today as guys were getting jumbo perch on minnows and perch pounders. Suttons Bay has been good with some doing fair in Traverse off the Boardman river and Old Coal Docks.
Down the coast to Grand Haven the perch bite is getting better.
Houghton Lake has ice floating around, but the canals still have ice so it will be another week before it opens up.
Higgins Lake looked bad today as some are using planks to get on, time to get your boat out.
Sucker fishing is starting on some of the rivers like the rifle and PM at Custer.
Steelhead Fishing has started with fish in the river from the Boardman south to Muskegon.
Some are still fishing Bear Lake for browns but the ice is going fast.
Look to the river and Lake Michigan, Lake Huron for your fishing fix with a boat or Kayak
Detroit River has been fair but who wants to go south where the virus is strong.
Where do you get perch pounders?
What docks are in?
Thanks for the report
Ron Boyle
Josh there ya have it
Chad Akins
Jonas Wilcox is with Josh Farling.
Good day fishing the Betsie…
Is that above or below Homestead dam?
Many fish in river?
Tanya Wolcott the betsie
Head out to fish only if you’re feeling well. Practice social distancing, at least 6 feet away from another person. Frequently wash your hands with soap and warm water, or use hand sanitizer. If driving to or from your nearby fishing spot, roll the windows down a bit for air flow.
There’s nothing like time on the water for stress relief, and we all could use that right now.
Call before you go fishing for bait as many sport shops are closed till April 13
Had two guys report they did good out of Suttons Bay today as they caught there limit of perch on minnows.
Portage Lake and Manistee Lake have a few guys fishing and catching perch.
Pm Lake, Pentwater, and White Lake report a good perch bite the last two days.
Suckers are being caught up by Custer on Crawlers and worms.
Had a couple reports that perch are showing up at Northport with perch pounders, wigglers and perch minnows working best.
Can't believe the leaves are on up there. Trees are still bald down here in Ohio.
Hell, Fish don't know what's going on … Fish On!!!!
come on …last years pic , leave the big fat story telling to the guy's in Washington D.C. , there better at it lol bahaha …🐟
Nice size, good eating right there.
Lol snows gone too hmm
Phillip Rice look at this bunch of bull shit!!!! 🤣🙈
Lots of locals have said otherwise lol
Nice catch
Subterfuge.
Matthew Marci
JD Dakoske Randy Gower Chris Dakoske
🤣🤣🤣 ok
Josh Gratton
Ken James Shawn Petras
👍🎣
Holy crap there will be 1000 boats dumb asses
Still got some firecracker let's blow it up!
Now that’s funny 🤣🤣🤣
John O'Donnell this is dj
Ray Hub
Josh Thomas
Ryan Rasmussen Drought
Jeffrey Carnes
Bill Reynolds , Lance Markoski
Bobby Brown
Marcos Serrano
Jarrod Seaberg oh snap
Carol Wolford Brock
Craig Hayward
Travis Mears 😂
Spencer Olson Kyle Lints Mikey Kowalski
Andy Bock
Timothy Wilson
Daniel Schober
😂
Some guys a permanent net bitch..lmao
There are a few still ice fishing in Northern Michigan but most lakes are not safe.
Trevor Bethke reports from secret Lake
Still plenty of ice in the north #bucsfishingreport #eatwild #puremichigan
They are catching perch in boats at PM Lake in Ludington, Pentwater Lake, White Lake, Muskegon Lake.
Pier Fishing has picked up for steelhead, browns and some perch, be careful as high water and waves will wash you off the piers.
Steelhead are up many of the rivers from the Betsie south as we still have ice and snow north of M-72.
Though anglers are still ice fishing in the northern regions of the state, the shoreline ice is breaking up and making it harder for anglers to get on and off the ice. Where the waters have opened up, docks are slowly being installed.
Cheboygan River: Had anglers targeting steelhead; however, there were no hookups, and no fish were seen jumping at the dam.
Burt Lake: Still had ice and some still were taking snowmobiles out. Most were targeting panfish, as walleye and pike season are closed.
Mullett Lake: The ice was holding, as anglers targeted crappie and perch.
Higgins Lake: A couple anglers still are heading out. The shoreline ice is breaking up in areas where there are natural springs. Anglers continue to look for smelt in 40 feet or so and perch in 10 to 15 feet. Those looking for rainbow trout are getting on at the North State Park and fishing between the park and the RAM Center.
Houghton Lake: Still had some ice; however, ice fishing looks to be done for the season, as finding a safe pathway out and back is becoming much more difficult as the shoreline ice deteriorates. There is open water just south of the North Bay. Anglers now are starting to fish open water including near the Reedsburg Dam.
Manistee River: Steelhead are in the river; however, there have been no great reports coming in.
Ludington: Pier fishing should improve for steelhead and brown trout.
Lake Charlevoix: The South Arm still had ice, and a few anglers were getting perch on tip-ups.
Elk Lake: In Antrim County was producing some nice lake trout. Fishing may be limited, as ice along the shoreline is getting bad.
Lakes Cadillac and Mitchell: Anglers still were ice fishing, although the ice is becoming more and more questionable. Areas with moving water have opened, and the shoreline is starting to open.
Cedarville and Hessel: Those fishing around the Les Cheneaux Islands caught slightly bigger perch in Musky Bay when jigging wax worms and wigglers. The south edge of Musky Bay is now open water, but the north side still had some ice. Hessel Bay still had ice, but Wilderness Bay has started to break away. The edge along the south end of Wilderness Bay and the edge of Burlee Point is now open water. In Hessel Bay, splake, lake trout, perch, pike, smelt and burbot were caught. Anglers noted good fish movement, but some days they did not want to bite. Many are now targeting splake when jigging spoons tipped with minnows in 15 feet. Some days were better than others for catching perch when jigging wigglers, wax worms and small minnows. Pike still were hitting on tip-ups with minnows.
Brevoort Lake: Still had ice and anglers targeting yellow perch.
Everyone knows where these fish were caught.
Very nice of you
I would but they probably close fishing license purchases
Yes, as soon as the ice is off the lake.
That’s what I want to do.
I'm going golfing
Wish I was !
Yup
💖