Baitman Fishing report

❄️ BUC’S DAILY ICE REPORT

Tuesday, December 9⸻⭐ Bait Man’s Morning BriefWe had another cold night, down near five degrees around Interlochen, even colder inland. Ice formation jumped across Northern Lower.Ray Ray sent in verified field intel from Clare County:• Crooked Lake — fishable ice• Eight Point Lake — fishable with footprints and jet sled tracks out a quarter mile• Five Lakes — fishable• Perch Lake — 4–5 inches of clear ice, snowmobile tracks already crossing• Herrick Recreation Area lakes — fishable• Stevenson Lake — NO GO, pressure cracks, seeping water, roughly two inches at launchAdditional freeze-over reports:• Skegemog Lake froze• Lake Margrethe froze• Higgins Lake has skim ice• Duck, Green, Long Lake (TC) skimmed• White Lake, PM Lake, Pentwater Lake all frozeHoughton Lake Update (Corrected):Anglers are fishing in multiple areas.• East Bay has early foot traffic.• Canals are holding the best ice.• A few anglers were stepping out at Flint Road.• The South Shore access also saw anglers yesterday.Other lakes with fishing activity today:• Otsego Lake — walleye and perch• Lakes around Hillman• Long Lake (Alpena/Montmorency)• Grand Lake — Black Bass Bay• Lake Mitchell — Small & Big Cove• Missaukee canals• Lake St. Helen — about 4 inches, weak near springs• Eight Point, Five Lakes, Perch Lake — Clare County’s strongest early iceWe’re getting real angler movement now, but it’s all still early ice. Spud every few steps and fish with a buddy.⸻⭐ Weather SnapshotNorthern Lower Michigan stays wintry today and Wednesday.Tuesday1–2 inches of snow today with another round tonight.Highs upper 20s to low 30s.Gusty wind, lower wind chills.Light snow will not significantly slow ice formation.WednesdayCloudy, cold, occasional snow.Highs upper 20s to low 30s.⸻⭐ Moon PhaseWaning Crescent⸻⭐ Peak Bite WindowsMajor Bite — 1:00 PM to 3:00 PMMinor Bite — 7:00 AM to 8:00 AMMinor Bite — 6:00 PM to 7:00 PM⸻⭐ Top 25 Ice Lakes Today(Updated with Houghton Lake + Ray Ray’s data)1. Perch Lake (Clare)4–5 inches clear ice. Snowmobile tracks across.2. Eight Point LakeFishable ice with sled tracks out 1/4 mile.3. Crooked Lake (Clare)Fishable ice.4. Five Lakes (Clare)Fishable ice.5. Herrick Rec Area LakesFishable ice.6. Stevenson LakeNot safe, multiple cracks, only two inches at launch.7. Houghton Lake (East Bay, Canals, Flint Road, South Access)East Bay early foot traffic.Canals producing.Few anglers at Flint Road & South Access.8. Otsego Lake3 inches+ in pockets.Walleye and perch good.9. West Twin Lake3–5 inches in spots.10. Grand Lake (Black Bass Bay)Anglers fishing, early action.11. Long Lake (Alpena/Montmorency)Some foot traffic.12. Skegemog LakeFroze over.13. Lake MargretheThin new ice.14. Higgins LakeSkim only.15. Duck Lake (TC)Skim ice.16. Green Lake (TC)Skim ice.17. Long Lake (TC)Full skim.18. White LakeLarge areas frozen.19. PM LakeFrozen.20. Pentwater LakeFrozen.21. Bear Lake (Manistee County)Early ice with limited anglers.22. Lake MitchellSmall & Big Cove foot traffic.23. Lake CadillacVery thin new ice.24. Missaukee Lake (Canals)Early canal ice.25. Lake St. HelenAround 4 inches, weak near springs.⸻⭐ Live Bait UpdateWe are fully stocked with:• Blues• Suckers• Golden shiners• Perch shiners• Wax worms• Spikes• WigglersStrong supply heading into the first big early ice weekend.⸻⭐ Ice Fishing Tip of the DayTip: Drill test holes every 20–30 yards.Ice thickness can change within a few feet on early ice.Regular test holes are the difference between a good day and a rescue.⸻⭐ Safety ReminderEarly ice looks better than it is.Spud every few steps.Wear picks, float suit, and never go alone. … See MoreSee Less